How can landscapers get more online reviews?

The most effective method is asking immediately after a job is completed by sending a quick text message with a direct link to your Google review page.

Where should landscaping businesses display their reviews?

Reviews should be featured prominently on your website's homepage, service pages, social media, and in monthly email newsletters.

How to Use Customer Reviews and Testimonials to Grow Your Landscaping Business

In the home service industry, trust is everything. A homeowner is inviting you onto their property, often to perform thousands of dollars worth of work. Before they make that commitment, they want proof that you are reliable, professional, and capable.

The Landscape Professionals Association emphasizes that "word of mouth is one of the strongest sources of business." Today, that word of mouth happens primarily online. Here is how to proactively collect and leverage customer reviews and testimonials to grow your landscaping business.

1. How to Ask for Reviews (and Get Them)

You can't just hope customers will leave a review; you have to ask. Most satisfied clients are happy to leave a review, but they forget or find the process too complicated. Make it easy for them.

Timing is Everything: The best time to ask is immediately after the job is finished, while they are still thrilled with their new lawn or patio.
Use Text Messages: Don't rely solely on email. Send a quick text: "Hi Sarah, it was a pleasure building your new fire pit! If you have a minute, we'd greatly appreciate a review on Google. Here is the direct link: [Link]. Thank you!"
Equip Your Crew: Train your crew leaders to ask for a review when they do the final walkthrough with the client.
Incentivize (Ethically): You can't pay for positive reviews, but you can enter everyone who leaves a review (positive or negative) into a monthly drawing for a gift card or a free lawn mow.

2. Where to Share Your Testimonials

Collecting the reviews is only half the battle. You need to put those glowing testimonials where potential leads will actually see them.

Your Website Homepage: Put your best 3-5 reviews front and center on your homepage. Don't bury them on a separate "Testimonials" page that nobody visits.
Service Pages: Match the review to the service. If you have a page dedicated to retaining walls, feature a testimonial from a client who hired you specifically for a retaining wall.
Social Media: Turn great reviews into visual graphics using tools like Canva, and post them on Facebook and Instagram.
Email Newsletters: Include a "Customer Spotlight" section in your monthly newsletter featuring a recent project and the accompanying 5-star review.

3. The Power of the "Before & After" Story

A text review is good; a review paired with photos is incredibly powerful.

When you get a great testimonial, ask the client if you can share it alongside the before-and-after photos of their project. Providing the client's first name and city (e.g., "John from Northville says...") adds authenticity and proves it's a real local project, not a stock photo.

4. Handling Negative Feedback

You will eventually get a negative review. It happens to every business. How you handle it matters more than the review itself.

Respond Quickly and Professionally: Never get into an argument online.
Take It Offline: Respond by saying, "We're sorry to hear you weren't fully satisfied. We pride ourselves on our work. Please call our office at [Number] so we can make this right."
This shows future customers that you are accountable and care about customer satisfaction.

Learn How to Get More Reviews Automatically

Following up with every customer to ask for a review takes time. Let automation handle it for you.

When you use BusyLine AI to manage your communications, you can set up automated text workflows that follow up with clients after a job is marked complete, ensuring you consistently generate fresh, 5-star reviews without lifting a finger.