How to get more Google reviews as a freelance hairdresser in Perth

Abby's take

What this means for the industry — and for independents

Industry impact. Reviews influence how potential clients assess service businesses in Google Search and Maps, but shortcuts such as fake reviews, incentives and selective requests weaken trust. A consistent, honest process gives local discovery a stronger foundation without turning client care into a ratings exercise.

For freelancers. A solo hairdresser usually has no reception team remembering to ask, sending the link or replying later. A small workflow attached to checkout or the booking system can make the process reliable without adding another daily marketing task.

What I'd do next

• Create and test the direct Google review link from the correct Business Profile on both iPhone and Android.
• Choose one neutral request moment after each genuinely completed appointment and use the same process for all suitable clients.
• Save one short SMS or email template that asks for honest feedback without requesting stars, keywords or a staff name.
• Reply to new reviews in a planned weekly block and move any service concern into the appropriate private resolution process.
• Track completed appointments, invitations sent, reviews received and recurring client themes for one month.

Watch-out. Google and Australian consumer guidance can change, and individual review disputes may involve privacy, platform-policy or legal issues. This is general business information, not legal advice.

Start with the right goal: credible client evidence, not a perfect score

A potential client reading reviews is usually trying to reduce uncertainty. They want clues about communication, consultation, reliability, the appointment environment and whether the professional’s work suits what they need. The useful goal is therefore a representative body of genuine client experiences, not a flawless number manufactured through pressure.

Google itself says honest and balanced reviews can help people decide, and that a mix of positive and negative feedback can feel more trustworthy. That matters for freelancers because an occasional criticism does not erase a strong reputation. The way the business responds can show judgement, calm and accountability.

Confirm that the Business Profile accurately represents the business

Before asking anyone for a review, check that the link points to the correct Google Business Profile and that the profile reflects how the business genuinely operates. A hairdresser working from an eligible client-facing location has different address settings from a professional travelling to clients as a service-area business. The name, location or service area, contact details, booking link and services should match the real business.

Do not create extra profiles for Perth suburbs where the business does not operate or add location keywords to the business name unless they are part of the genuine name. A review system cannot rescue an inaccurate local presence, and asking clients to review the wrong or duplicate listing can split the evidence across profiles.

Set up the Business Profile correctly first

Create one direct review link and test the complete client journey

Google Business Profile provides a link and QR code for requesting reviews. Generate it while signed into the account that manages the correct profile, then open the link on a device that is not already inside the management dashboard. It should take the client to the intended review flow rather than a search result or generic homepage.

Keep one approved link in the booking system, phone notes or client follow-up template. If a QR code is used on a small card or mirror sign, test it at the actual printed size and lighting. The QR code should make participation easier, not create a moment where the professional watches the client write the review.

Ask every suitable client neutrally instead of review gating

Review gating means filtering people by expected sentiment—for example, sending satisfied clients to Google while directing unhappy clients into a private form. Even when the intention is to solve concerns, selectively inviting only positive public feedback distorts the overall picture. Build the invitation around a neutral trigger such as completion of an appointment, not a private satisfaction score.

There will be practical exclusions: a cancelled appointment was not a completed service, duplicate requests may annoy a frequent client and a sensitive situation may require proper follow-up first. The test is whether the rule is operational and fair, rather than whether the person seems likely to leave five stars.

Choose a request moment that feels natural and pressure-free

The easiest trigger is after the appointment has been completed and the client has received the normal aftercare or booking information. The professional can mention that honest feedback is welcome, then send the direct link by SMS or email after the client has left. That gives the person time and privacy to decide.

Avoid handing over a business device, asking the client to complete the review before leaving or standing beside them while they type. A review should remain voluntary. If the client says no, changes the subject or does not respond, the relationship should continue without awkwardness.

Use short wording that does not script the rating or content

A useful request could be: “Thanks for coming in today. If you would like to share honest feedback about your appointment, you can leave a Google review here: [link]. It is completely optional.” That is enough. Do not ask for five stars, request a service keyword, tell the client to mention the stylist by name or supply a paragraph to copy.

For a regular client, the wording can still feel personal without steering the outcome: “Thank you for trusting me with your hair again. If you ever want to share your honest experience for people considering an appointment, here is the review link.” The client decides whether to post and what the review says.

Do not exchange discounts, gifts or competition entries for reviews

Google classifies incentives offered in exchange for posting, changing or removing a review as fake and misleading content. A future discount, free add-on, loyalty points or entry into a prize draw can all influence participation. The safest process is to ask without attaching any benefit.

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission guidance also says reviews should reflect genuine independent opinions and warns against fake or misleading reviews. Its guidance explains that incentives offered for reviews need careful treatment and disclosure, while incentives for positive reviews risk misleading consumers. For a small service business, a clean no-incentive rule is simpler to explain and manage.

Follow up once at most and make stopping easy

Some clients intend to leave feedback and forget. One polite follow-up can be reasonable if the original request was welcome and the client has not responded. Keep it brief, include the same direct link and make it clear there is no pressure. Repeated reminders turn a voluntary invitation into a campaign the client must escape.

Do not build an automated sequence that continues until a review appears. Booking software may not reliably know whether a particular client has posted, and attempting to match reviewers to clients can create privacy and relationship concerns. A single request plus one optional reminder is enough.

Reply to reviews for future readers as well as the reviewer

A public response is part of the profile a prospective client reads. Thank the reviewer, acknowledge a specific point where appropriate and keep private appointment details out of the reply. Avoid copying the same promotional paragraph beneath every review; it can make genuine feedback look like an advertising surface.

For a critical review, pause before responding. Confirm the facts available to the business, acknowledge the concern without publishing personal information and invite the person into the correct private contact process. Do not argue about technical details in public, diagnose the client or pressure them to edit the review.

Use review themes to improve the service and marketing message

Reviews can reveal what clients actually value. If several people independently mention calm consultation, clear maintenance advice, easy access or reliable timing, those themes may deserve clearer placement on the service page and social profile. If confusion appears repeatedly, improve the underlying information or process rather than writing a defensive response each time.

Do not lift private or identifiable details into advertising without appropriate permission. A public Google review may be visible online, but reusing it in a designed testimonial, paid promotion or another channel can create a different context. Obtain advice where required and keep attribution accurate.

Build stronger client-retention systems · Turn useful content into more qualified enquiries

Measure the process without turning clients into a quota

A simple monthly check is enough. The first useful metric is whether the process happened consistently, not whether every invitation produced a review. Review volume will vary with appointment frequency, client preferences and the type of service.

Avoid staff competitions or targets that reward the highest number of reviews. They create pressure to cherry-pick clients or script the request. For a solo operator, the equivalent risk is asking only after a compliment. The system should keep the invitation fair even when the diary is busy.

• Completed appointments that were eligible for the neutral invitation.
• Invitations sent through the agreed workflow.
• Reviews received over time, without setting a required star rating.
• Recurring positive themes and recurring points of confusion.
• Profile actions, website visits and qualified enquiries where available.

A manageable four-step workflow for a Perth freelancer

Save the wording and link once, then attach them to the booking status that marks an appointment complete. If the system cannot automate it accurately, use a short weekly list rather than sending requests from memory between services.

The best workflow is one the business can continue for months. A sudden campaign to every contact in the phone can create duplicate requests and an unnatural spike. Start with new completed appointments, then gradually invite genuinely recent clients where the request remains relevant.

• Finish the appointment and provide the normal aftercare or rebooking information.
• Send one neutral review request with the tested direct link after the client leaves.
• Follow up once only if appropriate, then stop.
• Review and reply to new feedback during one planned weekly administration block.

Check your broader freelancer business systems · Create a clearer booking workflow

Common questions