In short
To get more reviews, ask every happy customer straight after a job goes well, make leaving a review take seconds, and reply to every review — good or bad. Reviews tied to real, completed bookings are the most trusted, and fake or paid-for reviews are against UK consumer law.
Why reviews matter so much
Letting someone into your home is a trust decision. Before booking, people look for proof that others have done it and been happy. Recent, genuine reviews can win you jobs even when you are not the cheapest — and they keep working for you long after the job is done.
Ask at the right moment
The best time to ask is when the customer is most pleased — usually just after the job, or when they thank you. A few days later, the moment has gone.
- Ask in person: "If you were happy with today, a quick review would really help me"
- Follow up the same day with a short message
- Ask regular customers after the first few visits, once they know your work
Make it easy
Every extra step loses people. Send a direct link where you can, keep the request short, and do not ask for a long write-up — a star rating and a sentence is plenty. On Holler, customers rate the job in the app after a completed booking, so there is nothing extra for them to find.
Respond to reviews — especially the bad ones
- Thank people for good reviews, briefly and personally
- Reply calmly to criticism — acknowledge it, explain what you will do, and offer to sort it out
- Never argue in public — future customers judge how you handle problems more than the problem itself
- Learn from patterns — if several people mention the same thing, fix it
Why reviews from real bookings matter
Customers are increasingly wary of reviews that anyone can post. A review tied to a real, completed booking proves the reviewer actually used you. On Holler, ratings come only from real completed bookings, which is exactly why customers can trust them.
Stay on the right side of the law
Under UK consumer law, fake reviews are banned, and so is offering incentives for reviews without making that clear, or hiding negative ones. The Competition and Markets Authority publishes guidance on fake reviews — read it if you are unsure.
- Never write reviews for yourself or ask friends to pose as customers
- Do not offer discounts or gifts in exchange for positive reviews
- Do not pay anyone to post or remove reviews
Questions people ask
How do I ask a customer for a review?
Ask in person right after a job they were pleased with, then send a short follow-up message with a direct link. Keep it simple: a rating and a sentence is enough.
Can I offer a discount for a review?
Be very careful. Offering incentives for reviews without making it clear, or rewarding only positive reviews, can break UK consumer law. The safest approach is simply to ask.
How should I respond to a bad review?
Calmly and publicly: thank them, acknowledge the issue, say what you will do and offer to sort it out. Never argue in the replies.
How do reviews work on Holler?
Customers rate the job in the app after a completed booking. Ratings come only from real completed bookings, so they cannot be posted by people who never used you.
Keep reading
How to get customers without paying for leads
Why pay-per-lead and subscription sites cost tradespeople and cleaners so much, and how to win customers through referrals, reviews and commission-only apps.
How to get cleaning clients
How to get cleaning clients in the UK: win your first 10 customers, use referrals and local groups, list on Holler for free, and turn one-offs into regulars.
How to start a handyman business in the UK
Start a handyman business in the UK: what you can and cannot do without trade registration, registering with HMRC, insurance, pricing and finding customers.