If you’re running a marketing agency, glowing reviews aren’t just nice to have—they’re essential. Positive Google reviews are the digital word-of-mouth that drives trust, closes deals, and sets you apart in a crowded market.
But even when clients are thrilled with the results, most won’t leave a review unless you ask—and make it easy.
This blog cuts through the fluff and shows you exactly how to get more high-quality reviews without begging, bribing, or sounding desperate. Just real strategies that work, backed by experience and common sense.
How to Get More Reviews for Your Marketing Agency
1. Setting Up for Reviews
To collect online reviews, businesses must set up their review site profiles, such as Google Business Profile, and claim their listings. This foundational step allows you to manage and respond to customer feedback effectively. Digital marketing agencies can play a pivotal role in helping businesses set up these profiles and develop an effective marketing strategy to encourage reviews.
Setting up review profiles can help businesses increase their online visibility and attract more customers. For instance, a well-optimized Google Business Profile can improve your search engine rankings, making it easier for potential clients to find you. Additionally, having a presence on multiple review sites ensures you capture feedback from a broader audience, further enhancing your online reputation.
2. Make It Frictionless
The easier you make it to leave a review, the more likely clients will actually do it. Even happy clients won’t jump through hoops—if they have to search for a link, sign in somewhere, or figure out what to write, they’ll bail.
Your job is to remove every barrier.
Here’s how:
- Use direct links: Send them straight to your Google Business, Clutch, or LinkedIn review page—no detours.
- Embed links in email signatures or thank-you emails so they’re always within reach. Including a Google review link in your email signature is a strategic way to solicit feedback without direct requests, especially effective for businesses that maintain regular email communication with clients.
- Give them options: Some people prefer to write a short quote, others might be fine with leaving a public star rating. Offer both.
- Mobile-friendly matters: Make sure your review process works perfectly on phones. Most people will be doing this from their device, not a desktop.
Pro tip: Use a tool like Bitly to shorten links and track clicks. You’ll see what’s working—and what’s not.
Clients want to support you. But they won’t do it if the process feels like a chore. Make it seamless, fast, and effortless—and you’ll see results.
3. Personalize the Ask
A generic “Please leave us a review” won’t cut it—clients tune that out instantly. If you want real results, your ask needs to feel personal and genuine, not copy-pasted.
Start by making the request specific to their experience.
Here’s how to do it right:
- Reference a win: Mention a recent milestone, like a successful campaign, increased ROI, or a strong monthly report.
“So glad to see the paid ads drove 3X conversions last month—would love if you could share a quick review about the experience.”
- Use their name and company: Make it about them, not just your agency.
- Be human: Use a tone that matches your brand voice, whether that’s professional, casual, or bold.
You’re not asking for a favor—you’re inviting them to share a success story. That shift in tone makes a big difference.
And if you’ve delivered great work (which you have), most clients are happy to write a few kind words—you just need to ask like a real person, not a robot.
Additionally, tracking the conversion rate of review invites to actual reviews is crucial. This metric helps you understand how effectively you are engaging customers to leave feedback, showcasing your success in generating reviews.
4. Offer Social Incentives
You don’t need to dangle discounts or freebies to get reviews—in fact, you shouldn’t. But what you can offer is visibility.
A little spotlight goes a long way for many clients, especially other businesses. Sharing their review on your platforms gives them exposure and makes them feel appreciated.
Here’s how to offer value without crossing any ethical lines:
- Feature their business: Highlight them in a “Client Spotlight” post or case study. Tag them and include a link to their website or social profiles.
- Repost their review: Share it on LinkedIn, Instagram, or your newsletter. It shows off your results and gives them extra reach.
- Let them know up front: Say something like,
“We’d love to share your feedback and give your brand a little visibility—totally optional, but it’s a great way for us to both gain traction.”
This kind of mutual exposure benefits everyone. You get a credible, public review. They get recognition. And your next prospect sees social proof that your agency delivers—and builds real partnerships.
5. Automate with a Human Touch
You’re busy. Your team is busy. That’s why automation is your best friend—as long as it doesn’t sound like a robot wrote it.
The goal is to build a repeatable system that asks for reviews at the right time, with a message that still feels personal. Acquiring more customer reviews is crucial for enhancing your online reputation and improving local rankings.
Here’s how to pull it off:
- Use your CRM or email platform (like HubSpot, Mailchimp, or ActiveCampaign) to trigger review requests after specific milestones, such as campaign wrap-ups, project completions, or monthly reports.
- Customize your templates: Before hitting send, add client names, project names, and a personal note. A little effort goes a long way.
- Add review asks to your workflows: Include them in your offboarding checklist, client success handoffs, or thank-you sequences.
Example:
“Hey [Name], it’s been awesome working on [Project] with you—appreciate the trust. If you’re happy with how things went, a quick review would mean a lot. Here’s the link—thank you!”
Automation should save time, not kill connections. By blending tech with empathy, you’ll collect more reviews without making your process feel cold or transactional.
6. Turn Reviews Into Content
A good review is more than just a nice pat on the back—it’s a piece of high-converting content waiting to be used.
Your future clients want proof. Real proof. And nothing beats the words of a satisfied client. So instead of letting your reviews sit on Google or Clutch gathering digital dust, turn them into marketing fuel. Business reviews significantly shape customers’ purchase decisions by showcasing your brand’s unique selling propositions, benefits, and strengths to potential customers.
Here’s how to repurpose them smartly:
- Create quote graphics: Pull standout lines from reviews and turn them into shareable social posts.
- Build mini case studies: Pair a client’s review with a snapshot of the results you delivered.
- Add reviews to your emails: Drop them into your email campaigns, newsletters, or nurture sequences.
- Feature them in ads: Use powerful review snippets as copy in Facebook, Instagram, or Google Ads.
- Slide them into sales decks: Let real client voices be convincing during your pitches.
Don’t just collect reviews—amplify them. When prospects see consistent, authentic feedback from real businesses, they trust and convert faster. Every review is a piece of proof. Use it.
Build trust & FOMO
Highlight real-time activities like reviews, sales & sign-ups.
7. Build It Into Your Workflow
The secret to consistently getting reviews? Make it a standard part of how you work—not an afterthought.
If asking for reviews is something you “try to remember,” it won’t happen. But it becomes automatic, reliable, and scalable if it’s baked into your process, like sending invoices or final reports. Providing a direct link to various review platforms can simplify the process for customers, making it easier for them to leave reviews.
Here’s how to lock it in:
- Add it to your offboarding checklist: Include a friendly review request as part of the closeout process right after delivering final assets or wrap-up reports.
- Train your team: Make sure account managers, project leads, or client success reps are comfortable asking. Give them templates they can use or tweak.
- Use task automation tools: Set reminders in your project management system (like Asana, ClickUp, or Trello) to prompt review requests after major milestones.
- Create a “Review Request Kit”: This can include links, email templates, talking points, and FAQ responses. It gives your team everything they need to ask confidently and consistently.
The goal is to normalize the ask—so it doesn’t feel awkward, rushed, or easy to forget. Build it into your workflow once, and you’ll keep the reviews flowing without extra effort.
8. Respond to Every Review
Getting reviews is just the first step—how you respond to them matters just as much. Every reply you post is a reflection of your agency’s professionalism, personality, and how much you value your clients. Leveraging review opportunities to encourage customer feedback through strategic prompts can significantly increase the likelihood of receiving reviews.
Here’s why it’s important:
- It shows appreciation: A simple “Thank you” goes a long way. It reinforces relationships and shows future clients you care about feedback.
- It boosts visibility: Platforms like Google rank businesses higher when they regularly respond to reviews.
- It helps manage your reputation: If you ever get critical feedback, a thoughtful, calm response can turn a negative into a credibility win.
What to do:
- Respond quickly—ideally within 1–2 days.
- Be specific: Mention the project or result they referenced. It feels more personal and less scripted.
- Keep it professional: Especially when replying to negative reviews. Acknowledge, don’t argue.
Example:
“Thanks so much, [Client Name]! We loved working on your product launch campaign—it was awesome to see those engagement numbers hit your target. Can’t wait to collaborate again soon.”
Responding to reviews isn’t just polite—it’s strategic. It strengthens relationships, boosts trust, and helps your agency stand out in a space where reputation is everything.
Conclusion
You don’t need gimmicks or pressure tactics to get great reviews—just a solid process, smart timing, and a human approach.
Happy clients are usually more than willing to share their experience—you just have to ask the right way, make it easy, and follow through. Build reviews into your workflow, personalize your requests, and make sure every piece of feedback gets seen, shared, and appreciated.
Do it consistently, and you’ll turn satisfied clients into powerful advocates—fueling trust, credibility, and growth for your agency.
