How to Automate Your Google Review Requests
You know you need more Google reviews.
Every pet sitter knows this. Reviews build trust. Reviews boost your search ranking. Reviews help people choose you over the competition.
But actually asking for them? That’s where things fall apart.
It feels awkward. You forget. You’re too busy. You don’t want to seem pushy. So weeks go by, happy clients come and go, and your review count stays stuck at 23 while your competitor down the street has 147.
Here’s the thing: you shouldn’t be asking for reviews manually. This is exactly the kind of task that should happen automatically, every time, without you thinking about it.
Let me show you how to set it up.
Why Automation Beats Manual Requests
When you ask for reviews manually, three things work against you:
Inconsistency. You remember to ask some clients but forget others. The ones you forget might have been your biggest fans.
Timing. You ask when you remember, not when the client is most likely to say yes. That might be days or weeks after the service when the warm fuzzy feelings have faded.
Awkwardness. Asking in person or writing individual emails feels salesy. So you either do it half-heartedly or skip it entirely.
Automation solves all three problems.
Every client gets asked. The request goes out at the optimal time. And because it’s a system, not a personal plea, it doesn’t feel awkward for anyone.
Pet sitters who automate their review requests typically get 3-5x more reviews than those who ask manually. Same clients. Same service. Just a better system.
The Simple Framework
Here’s how an automated review request system works:
Trigger: A service is completed (or a positive interaction is logged)
Wait: 1-2 days for the client to settle back in and reflect on the experience
Send: A friendly, personalized email asking for a review with a direct link
Optional Follow-Up: If no review after 5-7 days, send a gentle reminder
That’s it. Four steps. Set it up once, and it runs forever.
The email doesn’t need to be complicated. In fact, simpler is better.
Here’s a template you can steal:
Subject: How did we do with [Pet Name]?
Hi [Client First Name],
I hope [Pet Name] is settling back into the routine after our visit!
I have a quick favor to ask. If you were happy with our service, would you mind taking 60 seconds to leave us a Google review?
[Leave a Review →] (link to your Google review page)
Reviews help other pet parents find us, and we genuinely appreciate every single one.
Thank you so much for trusting us with [Pet Name]!
Warmly, [Your Name] [Your Business Name]
Why this works:
It’s personal (uses their name and their pet’s name). It’s specific (asks for one thing, not multiple). It’s easy (provides a direct link, mentions it takes 60 seconds). It’s grateful (thanks them regardless of whether they leave a review). It explains why it matters (helps other pet parents find you).
How to Get Your Direct Google Review Link
Don’t make clients search for your business on Google. Give them a link that opens directly to the review form.
To get your link:
- Go to your Google Business Profile
- Click “Get more reviews” (or find it in your dashboard)
- Copy the short link provided
- Use this link in all your review request emails
When clients click this link, it takes them straight to the review form with your business already selected. One less step = more completed reviews.
Where to Build This Automation
You have several options depending on your tech stack:
Your Email Marketing Platform
Tools like Mailchimp, ConvertKit, ActiveCampaign, or Keap (Infusionsoft) all support automated email sequences. You’ll need a way to trigger the sequence when a service is completed, which usually means integrating with your pet sitting software or manually adding clients to the sequence.
Your Pet Sitting Software
Time To Pet, PetSitClick, and other platforms have built-in email automation features. Check what’s available in your current software before adding new tools.
Zapier or Make (Integromat)
These integration tools can connect your pet sitting software to your email platform, automatically triggering review requests when services are marked complete.
All-in-One CRM
Platforms like HubSpot or Keap can manage both your client database and email automations in one place.
Don’t overthink the technology. Pick one tool and start. You can always upgrade later.
Timing Your Requests
When you ask matters almost as much as how you ask.
Too soon (same day): Client is still unpacking, doing laundry, readjusting. They haven’t had time to appreciate how smooth things went.
Too late (2+ weeks): The experience has faded. They’re busy with other things. Your service is no longer top of mind.
Sweet spot (1-2 days after service ends): Client has settled back in. They’ve noticed how happy their pet is. They’ve had a chance to think “wow, that was easy.” This is when they’re most likely to take action.
If you’re doing ongoing services (weekly dog walking, for example), you might request reviews quarterly rather than after every visit. Adjust based on your service model.
The Follow-Up Question
Should you send a reminder if they don’t leave a review?
I say yes, but gently.
One follow-up email 5-7 days after the first request is fine. Something like:
Subject: Still would love your feedback!
Hi [Client First Name],
I know life gets busy! If you have 60 seconds, we’d still love a quick Google review.
[Leave a Review →]
No pressure at all. We’re just grateful to care for [Pet Name]!
Thanks, [Your Name]
After two emails, stop. You’ve asked twice. That’s enough. Anything more crosses into annoying territory.
What About Negative Experiences?
This is where a little nuance helps.
Ideally, you don’t want to automatically request reviews from clients who had a bad experience. That’s just asking for a 1-star review.
Options to filter:
Some pet sitters add a “how did we do?” question first, then only send review requests to clients who respond positively. This adds a step but protects your rating.
Others send review requests to everyone but make sure their post-service follow-up catches problems before the review request goes out. If a client complains, you remove them from the review sequence.
If you’re confident in your service quality, sending to everyone usually works fine. Most unhappy clients won’t bother leaving a review anyway. But if you want to be cautious, add a filter.
[Related: Pet Sitting Business Automation: The Complete Guide →]
Your Action Plan
Ready to stop asking manually and start generating reviews on autopilot?
This week:
- Get your direct Google review link
- Write your review request email (use the template above)
- Decide which tool you’ll use to automate
Next week: 4. Set up the automation with a 1-2 day delay after service completion 5. Create your follow-up email 6. Test the sequence with yourself or a friendly client
Ongoing: 7. Monitor your review count monthly 8. Tweak the email copy if response rates are low 9. Celebrate as reviews roll in without you lifting a finger
Want This Done For You?
Setting up automations takes time, especially if tech isn’t your thing. Our agency offers done-for-you automation packages that include Google review request campaigns built specifically for pet sitting businesses.
We write the emails. We set up the triggers. We test everything. You just watch the reviews come in.
Book a Discovery Call and let’s get your review generation running on autopilot.
Put This Strategy Into Action
Loved what you just read? Imagine having someone who can actually implement this for you—while you focus on the parts of your business only YOU can do.
That’s exactly what we do for pet business owners who are ready to scale.
In a 30-minute Discovery Call, we’ll:
✅ Show you how to apply this strategy to YOUR specific business
✅ Identify what’s blocking you from implementing what you’ve learned
✅ Create a custom delegation plan that turns insights into results
✅ Determine the fastest path to get this off your plate and into action
Knowledge without execution is just expensive entertainment. Let’s turn this into real growth.
🎁 BONUS:
Book today and get instant access to our “From Solopreneur to CEO: 5 Tasks You Must Delegate to Hit 6-Figures” guide ($97 value) – the missing piece between knowing what to do and actually doing it.
