Turn early customers into advocates and build social proof from day one
Getting your first customer reviews is one of the most challenging milestones for any new Australian business. The good news? You don't need a massive customer base to start building social proof. By implementing strategic review generation tactics from day one, most new businesses can reach 50+ verified reviews within 6-12 months.
72% of Australian consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations, according to Sensis research. For new businesses with zero reviews, this creates a trust gap that directly impacts conversion rates and customer acquisition costs.
Your first 10-15 reviews signal to Google that your business is active and trustworthy, which improves your local search rankings. They also give hesitant customers the confidence to make a purchase decision.
New businesses have a distinct advantage: review velocity momentum. When you consistently generate reviews early, Google's algorithms notice the activity and provide a temporary ranking boost—particularly powerful in competitive local markets.
Before asking for a single review, you need to be "review-ready" across all major platforms.
• Google Reviews (non-negotiable) • Trustpilot (rapidly growing in Australia) • Facebook Reviews (essential for retail and hospitality) • Industry-specific platforms: Hipages (tradies), Seek (recruitment), TripAdvisor (hospitality)
Decide where you'll ask customers (in-person, email, SMS, QR codes) and draft a simple 2-3 sentence template. Prepare direct links to your review pages.
Pro tip: Use a QR code linking directly to your Google review page. Tradies, cafes, and retail shops report 3x higher review rates by placing QR codes on receipts and invoices.
Your first reviews should come from your warmest audiences: friends, family, and early customers who've already had positive experiences.
Email friends, family, and close business contacts with a direct link. Be specific about what you're asking for and offer to help if they're unsure what to write.
Ask other business owners you know and share in local business Facebook groups (without being spammy).
Example email template:
"Hi [Name], thanks so much for choosing [business name] last week. We'd love to hear about your experience! If you've got 2 minutes, a quick review on Google would help us out heaps. Here's the link: [direct review link]. Cheers!"
Once you've got your first 15-20 reviews, make review requests part of your standard operating procedure.
• At point of sale: Train staff to mention reviews • In follow-up emails: Add a P.S. with your review link to all customer communications • On invoices: Print your review QR code or link • In SMS: Send a follow-up text 24 hours after service • On packaging: For e-commerce, include a card with a review request and QR code
Ask customers who've expressed satisfaction, but don't ask every customer. Space out your requests and vary your platforms to avoid appearing desperate.
Incentives can work in Australia, but they're heavily regulated. You must comply with platform guidelines and consumer law.
• Offer a discount or prize draw entry to customers who leave any review • Provide a small gift (under $50 value) unrelated to review content • Run a "review of the week" competition • Offer loyalty points for reviews
• Pay for positive reviews • Offer incentives only for 5-star reviews • Ask customers to remove negative reviews in exchange for compensation • Create fake reviews
How you respond to reviews determines whether customers keep coming back and whether new customers trust you.
Respond to every review within 48 hours. Thank customers by name and address specific points they mentioned. For negative reviews, take it offline: "Thanks for the feedback. We'd love to make this right. Please DM us or call [number]."
Keep responses brief (2-3 sentences) and show personality with a friendly, casual tone. Include a call-to-action if appropriate.
Example response to a positive review:
"Thanks so much, Sarah! We're stoked you loved the experience. That's exactly the vibe we're going for. See you next time!"
Look for patterns in customer feedback. If multiple reviews mention slow service, that's your signal to improve. Use review analytics to identify trends and prioritise changes.
Google Reviews are the most visible and most trusted. Reviews appear in Google Maps, Search, and your business knowledge panel. Use direct links for the ask and aim for 24-hour response times. Get to 20 reviews ASAP to establish credibility.
If you have a Facebook business page with followers, leverage it for younger audiences and retail businesses.
Rapidly growing in Australia, particularly for e-commerce and SaaS. High domain authority means reviews rank well in Google.
• Hipages (tradies): Essential for plumbers, electricians, builders • Seek (recruitment): Crucial for recruitment agencies • TripAdvisor (tourism): Non-negotiable for hotels, restaurants, attractions
Asking too soon – Wait until the customer has experienced your full service.
Making it too hard – Use direct, short URLs or QR codes instead of long links.
Only asking in person – Follow up via email or SMS within 24 hours.
Ignoring negative reviews – A business with mixed reviews and thoughtful responses looks better than one with all five-star reviews and no responses.
Faking reviews – You'll get caught, and the penalty is severe.
Weeks 1-2: Claim and optimise all review profiles. Draft your review request templates. Create your review request process.
Weeks 3-4: Ask friends, family, and existing customers. Aim for 15-20 reviews. Start responding to every review.
Months 2-3: Integrate review requests into your standard customer journey. Implement QR codes or direct links. Aim for 25-35 reviews.
Months 3-6: Test incentive strategies. Analyse feedback for operational improvements. Aim for 50+ reviews.
Building your first 50 reviews isn't about tricks or shortcuts—it's about systematically asking satisfied customers to share their positive experiences. By following this framework, most Australian businesses can reach this milestone within 6 months.
The businesses that succeed aren't necessarily the best in their industry; they're the ones who make review generation a standard part of their operations from day one.
Start with Stage 1 this week. Claim your profiles, optimise them, and prepare your first ask. You'll be surprised how quickly momentum builds.
While there's no magic number, 10-15 initial reviews signal to Google that your business is active and trustworthy, improving local rankings. However, review velocity (consistent growth) matters more than quantity. Most Australian businesses see ranking improvements within 6-12 months of reaching 50+ reviews with strategic generation tactics.
According to Sensis research, 72% of Australian consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. This makes social proof critical for new businesses competing in local markets. Without reviews, you're creating a trust gap that directly impacts conversion rates and customer acquisition.
Most new Australian businesses can reach 50+ verified reviews within 6-12 months by implementing strategic review generation tactics from day one. Success depends on customer volume, follow-up consistency, and which platforms you prioritise. High-traffic businesses may achieve this faster than service-based trades.
Timing is crucial. Ask for reviews when customer satisfaction is highest—typically 2-3 days after purchase for products, or immediately after service completion for trades. This maximises conversion rates. Include direct links to your Google Business Profile and other platforms to reduce friction and increase completion rates.
Optimise your profile with 10-15 high-quality photos, a compelling 150-160 character business description, accurate NAP (Name, Address, Phone), and complete business information. A well-optimised profile increases review requests by up to 30%. Make it easy for customers to find your review link and understand what you offer.
Start with Google Business Profile as your priority, but diversify across industry-relevant platforms. For Australian businesses, consider Facebook Reviews, TrustPilot, and industry-specific sites (e.g., Yelp, Hipages for trades). Multiple platforms increase visibility and credibility, but focus on quality over quantity initially.
Use multiple touchpoints: follow-up emails with direct review links, SMS requests, in-store signage, and QR codes. Personalise requests by mentioning specific positive experiences. Timing matters—ask when satisfaction is highest. Make it easy with one-click links. Most customers appreciate genuine requests; frame it as helping your business grow.
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