- Claim your Yelp listing so you can update business info, upload photos, and respond to reviews.
- Ask for reviews casually and ethically. Never bribe, pressure, or fake it.
- Focus on great service that naturally inspires customers to leave rave reviews.
- Respond thoughtfully to negative reviews to show professionalism and care.
- Use Yelp tools like WiFi prompts and the Yelp mobile app to stay engaged and visible.
- Make your Yelp page reflect your brand’s personality with fresh content and real human touches.
Yelp often feels like the high school cafeteria of the internet. A few popular kids (the “5-star businesses”) get all the love and attention, while the rest are left wondering why that one customer is still talking about a silly little typo on the menu from 2019.
Whether you’re a fledgling business wondering how to get Yelp reviews for the first time or you’re doing damage control after a complaint, this post is here to help you flip your Yelp game from “meh” to “magnificent.”
So grab your favorite coffee or smoothie, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to learn how to get Yelp reviews the right way – without begging, bribing, or secretly crying in the walk-in fridge.
Step 1. Claim your Yelp listing
This might sound fairly basic, but you’d be surprised how many business owners never officially claim their Yelp listing. That’s like opening a restaurant and forgetting to unlock the front door.
After you create your business account, you can begin adding photos, update your hours, respond to reviews, as well as see analytics about your page. This gives you control over how your business appears to potential customers and lets Yelp know you’re an active participant in the community.
Bonus Tip: Upload fresh photos. People trust what they can see. Phone pics are fine, as long as they’re well lit, clear, and show the vibe of your space. If possible, hire a professional photographer! No one likes a dark, blurry sandwich.
Step 2. Ask customers politely
Asking for reviews on Yelp is not a crime. The key is to be casual and sincere. Don’t make it weird. Think: cool friend energy, not overly cringey door-to-door vacuum salesperson (if that’s still a thing).
If you’re not sure how to get Yelp reviews by asking directly, keep it simple. Send a brief message to your customers at logical moments, such as:
- Right after a customer compliments you (think of the recency effect).
- In a follow-up “thank you” email.
- With a small sign near the register or checkout (you can even add a QR code to make it easier). Yelp even provides free stickers!
Not sure what to say? Here’s a great ask:
“Loved your visit? We’d love your feedback! Yelp reviews help us grow.“
What you shouldn’t do:
- Offer discounts or freebies in exchange for reviews (this violates Yelp’s anti-bribery policies).
- Ask customers to leave a review right now, while you’re watching them.
- Ask friends or family to leave fake reviews under different names.
If you’re not sure what is and isn’t allowed when soliciting reviews, check out Yelp’s policy page for a detailed breakdown.
Step 3. Give people something to rave about
This one sounds obvious, but it’s foundational. You have to earn great reviews. People are more likely to go out of their way to leave a good review if:
- You give them excellent service.
- You surprise them with something thoughtful or fun.
- You treat them like an actual human, not just a transaction.
Are your employees friendly? Are your bathrooms clean? Is your product amazing? Are your services excellent, or at least memorable? That’s the stuff people talk about online.
Try to create “moments worth reviewing.” That could be a free dog treat at checkout, a cute message written on the customer’s coffee cup, or a staff member going above and beyond to help someone. Remember that oftentimes it’s the smallest gestures that go the furthest.
After all, people love sharing those kinds of experiences. Make your service review-worthy and watch the positive reviews roll in.
Step 4. Turn negative reviews into marketing gold
Okay, let’s talk about the ugly elephant in the Yelp room: the dreaded one-star review.
First of all, remember that you’re not alone. Negative reviews are common for businesses of all sizes, across all industries. But how you respond to bad reviews matters way more than the review itself.
Here’s what NOT to do:
- Don’t get defensive, even if you think the reviewer is wrong.
- Don’t accuse the reviewer of lying (even if they are).
- Don’t ignore the review entirely and hope it goes away (it won’t).
Here’s what you should do:
- Take a deep breath. Make sure you’re in a clear, calm headspace before you reply.
- Respond professionally, kindly, and briefly. Stick to the facts and avoid getting emotional.
- Apologize for the experience, even if you don’t fully agree with the reviewer’s complaint.
- Mention that you’re taking feedback seriously and invite them to contact you directly to resolve the issue.
Example:
“Hi Kelly, we’re so sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy your recent visit. That’s definitely not the experience we want our guests to have. We’re always working to improve, and we’d love the chance to make it right. Please reach out to us by email.”
This response demonstrates to other customers (and potential customers) that you’re responsive, respectful, and care about your service quality. You’re not just there for praise, you’re there for progress. Take each misstep as an opportunity to learn.
Step 5. Use Yelp tools to your advantage
Yelp has some pretty cool tools and features that can boost your credibility and help bring in positive vibes.
Yelp WiFi
Did you know that if you run a brick-and-mortar store, Yelp offers branded WiFi services? When people connect to your free internet, they’ll see a prompt asking if they want to review you. This is optional and low-pressure, but very effective.
Yelp For Business app
If you are always on-the-go but still want to be on top of all your messages, reviews, and analytics, Yelp’s mobile app lets you take action on the fly.
Step 6. Respond to every review (even short ones)
When someone leaves a good review, don’t just bask in the glow. Say thank you! A quick, “We’re so happy you had a great time, hope to see you again soon!” goes a long way.
Engaging with your customers shows you care about them and take all feedback seriously. It also reminds people that you’re a real person, and not just a logo behind a screen.
Bonus Tip: When replying to positive reviews, personalize it a little. Reference something from their review, such as the order or service they mentioned. It shows that you’re not just copying and pasting a generic corporate message.
Step 7. Make Yelp part of your brand vibe
When figuring out how to get Yelp reviews, don’t forget to incorporate your brand guidelines so your Yelp profile fits your company’s vibe. In other words, people should feel your brand’s personality on your Yelp page. That includes:
- Bright, appealing images that include your brand’s logo (where relevant).
- Fun, upbeat language in your business description (if it fits your company’s tone).
- Behind-the-scenes moments (think staff at work, or cute pet mascots).
- Updating holiday hours, specials, and unique events.
Keep it real, keep it fresh, and make your Yelp profile feel like a natural extension of your website and social media. If your Instagram is all smiles and sunshine and your Yelp page is boring and corporate, you’ve got a problem. Try to maintain a consistent personality throughout your online presence.
Step 8. Let reviews snowball organically
The great thing about reviews is that they create momentum. The more positive reviews you get, the more others feel confident trying your business – and then reviewing it themselves.
So keep delivering awesome experiences. Remind customers that reviews help, and keep replying. Over time, you’ll see your star rating improve, your visibility grow, and your stress over that one mean review slowly fade away.
Build buzz for your site on Yelp
Getting positive Yelp reviews isn’t about gaming the system. It’s about building genuine relationships, providing standout service, and giving people something they want to talk about.
Yes, Yelp can be wildly unpredictable. Yes, one salty review can sting. But with consistency, learning from your missteps, authenticity, and a dash of charm, your Yelp profile can become a glowing reflection of the amazing business you’re building. So go forth and earn those stars!
Want help sprucing up your Yelp listing or crafting those perfect review responses? Book a free meeting with our 5-star Redefine team so we can help you navigate those treacherous waters. Let us help make Yelp your new bestie.
