How to Send a Review Request by Text the Right Way
A short text with a direct link gets more reviews than a verbal ask alone, as long as the customer agreed to be texted.
- Free to join, no contracts
- Customers pick you by name
- You set your lead limits
Why text works
Most customers are on their phone anyway. A text with a link means they can leave a review with two taps while they still feel good about the job.
But a text is a message to a personal device, so you need permission first. Consent comes before convenience.
Get permission up front
Ask at booking or at the visit: Is it okay if we text you updates about your appointment and a quick feedback link afterward? Record their yes in your system or notes with the date.
Rules about texting customers vary and can carry real penalties. Check with an attorney or your state agency about what you must do, and keep it simple: no consent, no text.
Train everyone who books jobs to ask the consent question the same way. Consistent wording means consistent records and fewer misunderstandings later.
The message itself
Keep it short, personal and clear who is sending it. Include your name and company, thank them, and give one link.
Example: Hi Karen, this is Joe from Ridgeline Plumbing. Thanks for letting us fix your water heater today. If you have a minute, a short review would help us a lot: [link]. Reply STOP to opt out.
- Use the customer's first name
- Say who you are and why you are texting
- Include one link only
- Thank them whether or not they review
- Give a way to opt out
Timing and frequency
Send the text the same day or the next morning, when the job is fresh. Do not send it at night or very early.
Send one reminder at most, a few days later, and only if they did not respond. After that, let it go. A third message makes you look desperate and can lead customers to opt out.
Handle replies and opt outs
If someone replies STOP, honor it immediately and mark them in your records. Do not text them again about anything marketing related.
If someone replies with a problem instead of a review, treat it as a service issue. Call them, listen, and fix what you can. That conversation is worth more than the review you hoped for.
Keep a clean record
Store the customer's number, the date they agreed to texts, and what they agreed to receive. If anyone ever questions a message, you can show when and how they said yes.
Review your list now and then. Remove numbers that opted out, bounced or belong to someone else. A clean list protects your reputation and keeps your messages going to people who want them. Ask your attorney if you are unsure what records the rules require in your state.
Questions
Can I use a text service to automate this?
Yes, but make sure it respects consent and opt outs. Check what it does before you trust it with your customer list.
What if a customer gave me their number only for scheduling?
Treat that as permission for scheduling messages. Ask again before sending anything else.
How do I record consent?
Write down who agreed, how and when. A note in your job system is better than memory.
Pro reviewers
Pros who offer a matching service remotely can improve this article. We check every edit before it goes live. Every approved edit is credited in the edit history and on the pro's profile.
Edit history
- Oct 29, 2026: Drafted by infinibell to our content guidelines.
More pro guides
- The Best Moment to Ask a Customer for a Review
- Review Request Scripts You Can Say Out Loud at the Job
- How to Respond to a Bad Review Without Making It Worse
- What to Do When a Review Looks Fake or Unfair
- How to Reply to Good Reviews So They Work for You
- Review Mistakes That Can Get You Penalized or Lose Trust
- All pro guides
About this guide
Ready to get customers who picked you?
Free account in a minute. Pick your trade, then your exact services and ZIP codes.
Sign up free