How to Get Customers to Leave Reviews for Your Lawn Care Business

Acquiring new customers without spending a ton of money is essential to growing your lawn care business. But how can you add to your customer roster in a cost-effective way? Through referrals. Referral business is a powerful way to help your business grow — without costing you a cent. In fact, satisfied customers often share their positive experiences through lawn care services reviews, and learning how to get reviews for your business can be a valuable strategy to generate more referrals.

In this blog, we will cover everything you need to know about maximizing your online reviews to help grow your lawn care business.

Why Five-Star Reviews Are Important

What’s the first thing you do when you’re looking to hire a service provider? Chances are you ask your friends, family, and neighbors who they know because you trust their opinions and value their experiences. You’re more likely to take their advice over an ad.

 Next, you probably head to Google and do a quick search, then read the reviews. Five-star reviews let you know that a service provider is trusted in the community and does good work. They add another layer of confidence that you’re making the right decision. 

It’s no different for the lawn care industry. The more five-star reviews you have, the more it will help your business. Great reviews will give potential customers more reasons to choose you over the competition.

Creating a Review-Worthy Service

Positive reviews are modern-day word-of-mouth recommendations. They are the testimonials potential customers rely on when making decisions about which lawn care service to choose. When you consistently deliver exceptional service, you not only satisfy your existing customers but also turn them into enthusiastic advocates for your business. Satisfied customers are more likely to leave positive reviews, recommend your services to others, and become loyal, long-term clients.

Plus, the impact of lawn mowing online reviews extends beyond your website or social media profiles. They influence search engine rankings, as platforms like Google often prioritize businesses with higher ratings. Your commitment to providing outstanding service can directly impact your visibility, making it easier for new customers to discover your lawn care business.

Tips for Delivering High-Quality Lawn Care Services

1. Customized Care Plans: Listen to your customers’ preferences and concerns and incorporate them into the service you provide. A personalized approach demonstrates that you genuinely care about their lawn’s well-being.

2. Quality Workmanship: Ensure that your team is well-trained, uses the right equipment, and stays up-to-date with industry best practices. Well-maintained lawns, neatly trimmed edges, and weed-free gardens should be your standard.

3. Consistency: Maintain a regular schedule for lawn maintenance and be reliable in your service delivery. This instills trust and reliability in your customers.

4. Attention to Detail: Pay attention to the little things. This includes cleaning up after each service, being thorough with the trimming and edging, and addressing any specific concerns your customers may have about their lawn.

5. Timely Communication: Communicate proactively with your clients. Inform them of any schedule changes or delays, and seek their feedback regularly. An open line of communication can help address issues before they become major problems.

6. Transparency: Be upfront about pricing and any potential additional costs. Clients appreciate transparency and don’t like surprises on their bills. Make sure they understand the scope of the services you’re providing.

7. Education: Educate your clients about the best practices in lawn care. Share tips on how they can maintain their lawns between your visits. This not only empowers them but also showcases your expertise.

Making sure your customer communications and interactions are consistent and always professional is also key to setting the stage for positive reviews. Here’s how it plays a role:

•  Punctuality: arriving on time shows that you respect your clients’ time
• Appearance: Your team’s appearance should be clean and professional, contributing to a positive first impression
• Courtesy: good manners and a friendly demeanor go a long way in making clients feel valued
• Resolving issues: even with the best service, you might run into challenges. How you handle these situations is just as important as the quality of your work. Addressing concerns promptly and professionally ensures customer satisfaction
• Communication: regularly check in with your clients. Effective communication leads to stronger relationships

1. Just Ask

Our first recommendation is the simplest. Just ask! You’d be surprised how many of your customers would be happy to help and give you a five-star review…if you only asked them.

The minute you complete a job and ensure the customer is happy, ask for a review. You can do this face-to-face, via email or text, or on your invoice. Take every opportunity you can to ask for a review — and build this into your business processes.

2. Send an Email With a Link to Your Google or Yelp Page

Make it as easy as possible for your customers to review your business by sending them an email to show them how to put a review on Google or Yelp. The easier it is for them the more likely they will be to respond to your request.

Here is an example of an email template you can use to request lawn care service reviews – feel free to customize this to fit your business:

Subject: Request for Your Valued Feedback – 123 Lawn Care

Dear Karina,

I hope this message finds you well. We wanted to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for your continued support as a valued customer of 123 Lawn Care.

Your satisfaction is of utmost importance to us, and we believe that your feedback can help us serve you better. Therefore, we kindly request your assistance in sharing your experience with 123 Lawn Care by writing an online review.

Sharing your thoughts is easy; you can leave a review on our Google page by simply clicking on this link: [Insert Google Review Link Here]. Additionally, if you prefer to use Facebook, you can leave a review on our Facebook page by following this link: [Insert Facebook Review Link Here].

Your honest feedback will not only help us understand how we can improve but will also guide other potential customers in making informed decisions. Your opinion truly matters to us, and we deeply appreciate your time and effort in supporting our business.

Once again, thank you for choosing 123 Lawn Care for your landscaping and lawn care needs. If you have any questions or require further assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

Warm regards,

Jacob Peterson

Owner, 123 Lawn Care

The key is they need to sign in to Google and navigate to your business listing before they can leave a review. Provide them with easy-to-follow instructions like:

Sign in to your Google (Gmail) Account.

1. Search for your Lawn-Care business on Google (provide them with the exact name)
2. Click to leave a review.
3. Select a star rating, write the review, and submit.

You can always ask family and friends to leave a Yelp review if you have provided services for them. Be careful you don’t overdo it, or the reviews could look fake or spammy.

If you have the customer’s phone number, send them a text instead. Many people prefer texts to email. Be open, honest, and authentic. Let them know how much their opinion matters.

3. Send out Reminders

Tap into your current list of satisfied customers and send them a reminder to leave a review. Try to send these reminders as soon as possible after you have provided service while their mind is still fresh. The longer you leave it, the greater the chances they may not follow up.

Here’s a sample script you could use:

Please take a moment to share your experience and leave us a review.

Hello Mary,

Thank you for using XYZ Lawn Care Company!

Your feedback means everything to us. We appreciate hearing from our customers so that we can continue to provide the absolute best service and customer experience. Here’s a link where you can leave your feedback. It’s quick and easy.

Thanks again for trusting us as your lawn care provider. We appreciate your business.

Sincerely,

Then insert a link or a button where they can write their review.

Ask happy customers to share photos of themselves enjoying their beautiful yards on your social media channels — or take photos yourself and ask for permission to share. Tag photos with a hashtag like #satisfiedcustomer. Some people love seeing their photos online – it makes them feel important.

Create a Facebook Group and invite your customers to join. Here you can share valuable tips on lawn care and invite those in your group to post photos of how amazing their lawns look. Create a competition for the best lawn photo – and watch your group grow. Remember, in Facebook groups, don’t overdo the “sales pitch,” which will turn group members off.

5. Invest in Reputation Management Software

Gathering more reviews of your services will improve your online reputation. Positive lawn care service reviews establish you as a business people can trust. If your business is growing quickly, consider investing in reputation management software. Your reputation is everything, and even just one negative review can damage your business. Reputation management software works in your favor, enabling you to quickly and easily transform great customer feedback into a competitive advantage.

Best Practices for Responding to Reviews

Responding to reviews, whether positive or negative, is an essential aspect of managing your online reputation and building trust with potential customers. Follow these best practices to ensure your responses are professional, empathetic, and effective:

• Act Promptly: Respond to reviews in a timely manner to show that you value feedback and are committed to addressing customer concerns promptly. Aim to reply within 24-48 hours of receiving a review.
• Express Gratitude: Start by thanking the customer for taking the time to leave a review, regardless of whether it’s positive or negative. Expressing gratitude shows appreciation for their feedback and encourages future engagement.
• Personalize Your Response: Address the reviewer by name if possible and reference specific details from their review. This personal touch demonstrates that you’ve read their feedback attentively and value their individual experience.
• Acknowledge Concerns: For negative reviews, acknowledge the customer’s concerns and apologize for any inconvenience they may have experienced. Validating their feelings and demonstrating empathy can help diffuse tensions and show that you’re committed to resolving the issue.
• Provide Solutions: Offer a solution or steps to address the customer’s concerns. Whether it’s rectifying a mistake, offering a refund or discount, or providing additional assistance, proactive solutions show your dedication to customer satisfaction.
• Keep it Professional: Maintain a calm and professional tone in your responses, even when faced with challenging feedback. Avoid getting defensive or engaging in arguments, as this can escalate the situation and reflect poorly on your business.
• Encourage Further Engagement: Invite the customer to reach out privately to discuss their concerns in more detail. Providing a direct contact method, such as an email or phone number, shows that you’re willing to resolve the issue privately and demonstrates transparency.
• Learn and Improve: Use feedback from reviews as an opportunity to learn and improve your services. Identify any recurring issues or trends mentioned in reviews and take proactive steps to address them. Continuous improvement is key to delivering exceptional customer experiences.
• Monitor and Respond Consistently: Regularly monitor review platforms for new feedback and respond to each review promptly and consistently. Consistency in your approach to responding to reviews demonstrates your commitment to customer satisfaction and builds trust with potential customers.

By following these best practices for responding to reviews, you can effectively manage your online reputation, foster positive relationships with customers, and enhance the credibility of your lawn care business.

Tips for Crafting Professional and Empathetic Responses

Crafting professional and empathetic responses to customer reviews is essential for maintaining a positive online reputation. Let’s look into how to respond to positive and negative reviews:

Positive Reviews:

Responding to positive reviews may seem straightforward, but it’s often overlooked. When you acknowledge and thank customers for their positive feedback, you demonstrate appreciation and professionalism. This acknowledgment can turn satisfied customers into loyal advocates who may return for repeat business and recommend your services to others. When responding to positive reviews:

• Express Gratitude: Start by thanking the customer for their kind words. Show that you appreciate their feedback and their choice to do business with you.

• Personalize the Response: Reference specific details from their review to make your response more personal and genuine. This shows that you read and valued their input.

• Invite Them Back: If applicable, extend an invitation for future business, perhaps with a special offer or promotion.

Negative Reviews

Negative reviews can be challenging to handle, but they provide an opportunity for growth and damage control. Ignoring or dismissing negative feedback can harm your business’s reputation. By responding to criticism promptly and in a constructive manner, you can potentially turn a disgruntled customer into a satisfied one and show potential customers that you care about their experiences. When responding to negative reviews:

• Act Promptly: Respond to negative reviews in a timely manner. Delayed responses may give the impression that you don’t care about the issue.
• Acknowledge the Issue: Start by acknowledging the customer’s concerns and apologize for any inconvenience they experienced. This demonstrates empathy and an understanding of their perspective.
• Address Constructive Feedback: If the negative review contains constructive criticism, acknowledge it and explain how you plan to use the feedback for improvement.
• Stay Calm and Professional: It’s crucial to maintain a professional tone. Avoid getting defensive, and don’t engage in a heated exchange.
• Offer a Solution: Whenever possible, propose a solution or steps to rectify the issue. Be specific and proactive in addressing their concerns.
• Take It Offline: Encourage the customer to reach out privately for a more in-depth discussion. This shows that you’re committed to resolving the issue without airing it in public.
• Learn and Improve: Use negative feedback as an opportunity to learn and grow. Continuously strive to improve your services based on the feedback you receive.
• Monitor and Analyze Trends: Keep track of recurring issues mentioned in reviews. Identifying trends can help you proactively address common problems.
• Train Your Team: Ensure your team is aware of the importance of responding to reviews and handling negative feedback effectively. Consistency in your approach is essential.

Responding to reviews, both positive and negative, is an essential aspect of managing your online reputation and customer relationships. By crafting professional and empathetic responses and following best practices for handling negative feedback constructively, you can turn reviews into a valuable tool for building trust and enhancing your business’s reputation. Remember, reviews are not just about the feedback itself but also about how you respond to it.

Use Your CRM to Track Customer Reviews

“What gets measured is what gets done.” Tracking who has left a review in your CRM is a great way to identify the customers who haven’t!

RealGreen’s Service Assistant software streamlines your company’s marketing activities, giving you more time to grow your business. The software manages your customer data, making it easy for you to track the customer journey. Keeping track of who has or hasn’t left a review allows you to follow up with those who haven’t yet left a review.

Online Reputation Management

If you have a website, ask your highly satisfied customers if they will give you a testimonial you can post. Better still, ask them to do a video testimonial. If they do, be sure to send them a thank you note or even a gift card. Showing your appreciation in this way will also help cement them as a great ambassador for your brand.

The more positive reviews you get for your lawn care business, the more likely you will grow your business organically without spending unnecessary money on marketing campaigns. 

Streamline Customer Engagement and Reviews with RealGreen

Contact us today to find out more about how RealGreen solutions like Automated Marketing Assistant and Referral Assistant can help simplify and automate communicating with customers and managing your online reputation — which will make it easier to grow and scale your business. Add screenshots and further information here for both Automated Marketing Assistant and Referral Assistant to better showcase value. Discuss in more detail both solutions to really sell the products. Also, provide a shoutout to Service Assistant to cover all of their lawn care business needs, here is an example: Cover all of your lawn care business needs with RealGreen’s Service Assistant® software. Streamline and automate your company’s day-to-day tasks and marketing activities, to scale and grow your business with the staff you have. Learn more here!

Ask for a FREE DEMO to see how RealGreen can remove the burden of manually communicating with prospects and lost customers, which will help you grow a profitable business.

FAQs

1. Why are customer reviews important for a lawn care business?

Customer reviews are important for a lawn care business because they build trust and credibility with potential clients. Positive reviews showcase your quality service, while constructive feedback helps you improve, ensuring customer satisfaction.

2. What are some effective ways to encourage customers to leave reviews?

Effective ways to encourage customers to leave reviews include sending follow-up emails after service, offering incentives like discounts, and making the review process simple and convenient for them.

3. Is it appropriate to ask customers directly for reviews?

Yes, it is appropriate to ask customers directly for reviews, especially if they’ve expressed satisfaction with your service. Politely request their feedback and make it clear that their input is valuable.

4. How do I make it easy for customers to leave online reviews for my business?

To make it easy for customers to leave online reviews, provide direct links to review platforms in follow-up emails or on your website. Simplify the process by guiding them step-by-step if necessary.

5. What should I do if a customer leaves a negative review?

If a customer leaves a negative review, respond promptly, acknowledge their concerns, and offer solutions or improvements. Demonstrating your commitment to addressing issues can help mitigate the impact of negative feedback.

6. Are there specific review platforms I should focus on for my lawn care business?

Focus on popular review platforms like Google, Yelp, and Facebook, as these are often the first places potential customers look. Tailor your efforts to platforms that are most relevant to your audience.

7. Is it essential to respond to every review, including positive ones?

It’s advisable to respond to every review, including positive ones. Thank customers for their kind words and reinforce the positive experience. Responding to all lawn care service reviews demonstrates your commitment to customer engagement and satisfaction.

Schedule a free demo today to see how RealGreen
can help you grow your business!