If you're a contractor trying to stand out online, online reviews are one of the most powerful tools at your disposal. They do more than build trust—they help boost your visibility in local search results and drive more leads. In this guide, we’ll show you how to turn 5-star reviews into a 5-star SEO strategy.
Why Online Reviews Matter So Much for Local SEO
Google’s local algorithm loves businesses with great reviews. Here's how online reviews impact your local SEO:
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They improve your Google Business Profile rankings, especially in the Local Pack.
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Reviews often include keywords related to your services, helping boost relevance.
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Consistent review activity shows you’re active and reliable.
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Star ratings affect your click-through rate, which affects your SEO.
Google isn’t just looking at how many reviews you have—it’s also checking how recent, relevant, and trustworthy they seem. And yes, whether you respond to them matters too.
Top Review Platforms Contractors Should Focus On
Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is the #1 place to gather reviews—but it shouldn’t be the only one. Building a broader reputation boosts your authority online.
Here’s where you should focus:
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Google Business Profile – Dominates local SEO. Non-negotiable.
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Facebook – Builds social proof, especially for word-of-mouth referrals.
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Yelp – Matters in competitive service areas.
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Angi & HomeAdvisor – Popular with homeowners looking for pros.
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Better Business Bureau (BBB) – Builds credibility with older or more cautious audiences.
Having reviews across multiple platforms strengthens your brand and shows potential customers you’re the real deal.
How to Ask for Reviews (Without Feeling Awkward)
You don’t need to be pushy. Most happy customers are more than willing to leave a review—you just need to make it easy.
Here are some proven ways to ask:
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At the end of the job: “If you’re happy with our work, we’d appreciate a quick review.”
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In a follow-up text or email: Send a direct link to your Google review page.
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On a business card or leave-behind: Include a QR code that links directly to your review page.
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Via automation tools: Platforms like NiceJob or Podium can request reviews for you.
Tip: Make sure to create a dedicated “Review Us” page on your website with direct links to Google, Facebook, and other review platforms.
Why You Should Always Respond to Reviews
Yes—even the negative ones.
Responding to reviews shows that you care, which helps with both SEO and customer trust. Google takes engagement into account, and prospects often read your replies to see how you handle feedback.
Here’s how to handle both the good and the bad:
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Positive reviews: Thank them by name, mention the service you provided (hello, keyword boost), and invite them back.
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Negative reviews: Stay calm and professional. Acknowledge their concern, don’t argue publicly, and try to move the resolution offline.
Every response is a chance to demonstrate your professionalism—and sometimes even win the customer back.
Automate the Process to Stay Consistent
You're busy running your business, which means manual review requests probably won’t happen regularly. That’s where automation comes in.
Set up tools that send automatic requests after a service is completed. Some great platforms for contractors include:
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NiceJob
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Birdeye
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Podium
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Jobber (especially if you already use it for scheduling)
Over time, consistent review requests will build a solid reputation—and improve your search rankings.
Avoid These Common Review Mistakes
Even with good intentions, it's easy to stumble when it comes to reviews. Here are a few things to avoid:
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Asking employees, friends, or family for fake reviews
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Ignoring negative reviews (or worse, responding defensively)
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Using only one review platform instead of diversifying
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Copy-pasting the same response over and over
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Failing to monitor your reviews regularly
Authenticity and consistency are what win in the long run. Focus on getting real feedback and engaging in a way that shows you care.
Make Online Reviews Part of Your SEO Strategy
Think of reviews as SEO fuel. They help improve visibility, build trust, and drive action. Whether you're an HVAC expert, mold remediation specialist, or remodeling pro, reviews can boost your credibility before a potential customer ever clicks "Call."
Here’s the bottom line:
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Prioritize your Google Business Profile
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Automate your review requests
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Reply to every review—good or bad
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Monitor your reputation and optimize over time
Want help creating a strategy that combines review management with powerful SEO results? Visit our Local SEO Services page to see how Altered Vision Designs can help.
Turn Reputation into Revenue
Your reviews tell a story—and the right story helps you rank higher, earn more trust, and win more local jobs. Don’t leave your online reputation up to chance. Let us help you build a steady stream of positive feedback that fuels growth. Ready to boost your visibility and convert more clicks into calls? Contact us today to get started.