Guide for UK trades

How to reply to a positive Google review

A five-star review is the easiest win you'll get all week, and most trades leave it sitting there with no reply. A short, personal thank-you takes a minute and shows the next customer there's a real person behind the business. Here's a simple way to do it, plus eight example replies you can adapt.

Jump to the example replies Free 5-reply sample

The three-part reply

One to three sentences. That's all it needs.

1. Thank them by first name

Use the name they reviewed under if it looks like a real first name. "Thanks Sarah" beats "Thank you for your review" every time.

2. Pick out one detail from what they said

The job, the area, the tidy finish, the person who did the work. One specific detail is what stops it sounding copy-pasted.

3. Close warmly and sign your name

"Give us a shout if you need anything else. Dave" is plenty. No sales pitch needed.

What to avoid

The same reply on every review. A row of identical replies looks automated and puts people off.
Personal details. No addresses, prices or anything private about the customer.
A hard sell. "Book now for 10% off" under a thank-you reads badly. Keep it about them.
Keyword stuffing. "Best emergency plumber Chelmsford Essex" in every reply looks spammy. Mention the job naturally if it fits.
Rewarding the review. Don't offer discounts or freebies in return for reviews. That goes against Google's rules.

Eight example replies to adapt

Swap the [brackets] for real details. Only say what's true for your job.

Short and simple five stars

Thanks [Name], really glad you're happy with the [job]. Give us a shout if you need anything else. [Your name]

They praised a named team member

Thanks so much, [Name]. I'll pass this on to [team member], who'll be chuffed. Glad the [job] went smoothly. [Your name]

Emergency or same-day call-out

Thanks [Name]. Nobody wants a [problem] at short notice, so I'm glad we could get to you quickly and sort it. Hope everything's back to normal now. [Your name]

They mentioned you were tidy

Thanks [Name], that means a lot. We always try to leave the place as we found it, so it's good to hear it was noticed. [Your name]

Bigger project over several weeks

Thanks [Name] for being so easy to work with on the [project]. It's been a pleasure seeing it come together. Enjoy the finished result. [Your name]

Repeat customer

Thanks again, [Name]. Always good to be back. Appreciate you sticking with us and taking the time to leave a review. [Your name]

They were recommended by someone

Thanks [Name], and please say thanks to [referrer] for passing our name on. Glad the [job] lived up to the recommendation. [Your name]

Five stars, no comment

Thanks for the five stars, [Name]. Really appreciate it. [Your name]

Make it a weekly habit

Pick one slot a week, say Friday afternoon, and reply to everything new. Good reviews take a minute each. If a bad one comes in, our guide to replying to negative reviews walks you through it. Want more reviews in the first place? See how to ask customers for Google reviews. For a wider set of ready-to-adapt starters, see our Google review reply templates.

Want 50 replies ready to paste?

The 50 Google Review Replies for UK Trades pack covers praise, mixed feedback, angry reviews, no-shows and price complaints, plus a one-page note on what never to admit in writing.

£29 once · instant PDF on Gumroad · no subscription · templates only.

Get the Reply Pack (£29) Try 5 free replies first

By trade: Plumber · Electrician · Builder · Roofer · Landscaper

General guidance and templates only. Not legal advice. Results are not guaranteed. Follow Google's review policies: no fake reviews, no paid incentives, no review gating.

Common questions

Do I need to reply to positive Google reviews?

You don't have to, but it's worth it. A short thank-you shows future customers that a real person runs the business and reads what people say. It also makes the customer more likely to recommend you again.

Can I use the same reply for every good review?

Try not to. A page full of identical replies looks automated. Keep a few starting points, then add one detail from the review, such as the job, the area or the person who did the work.

Should I mention the customer's address or job price?

No. Keep personal details out of public replies. Mention the type of job and their first name if they used it, nothing more.

How quickly should I reply to a good review?

Within a few days is ideal. Many trades batch replies once a week, for example on a Friday afternoon, which is fine as long as it's regular.