Most fence contractors get their first few jobs through word of mouth. A neighbor tells a friend. A friend tells a cousin. And the jobs start coming in.
But what happens when that circle slows down? What if fewer referrals come your way?
This is where Google Reviews step in. They keep the word of mouth going, just in a different way.
Old School Referrals Still Work
When someone trusts you, they tell people about you. It’s that simple. And for fence companies, this has always been the bread and butter.
A happy customer shows off their new fence. Neighbors ask who did it. Then your phone rings. It still happens. But it can’t be your only plan.
People move. Friends change. And word of mouth takes time. You can’t always wait around for it.
The New Kind of Word of Mouth
Google Reviews work the same way, just online. Instead of telling one friend, a happy customer tells everyone who searches for “fence company near me.”
That five-star rating? It works like a digital thumbs up. And when you have 30, 50, or even 100 of them, people notice.
They read what others say. They see your name pop up. And they call you, sometimes without ever talking to someone who hired you.
Why Google Reviews Matter
Here are a few reasons why Google Reviews carry real weight:
- Trust: People trust other people more than ads.
- Proof: Good reviews show you’re real and reliable.
- SEO Boost: Google likes active businesses. Reviews help you show up higher.
- Decisions: Many folks won’t call unless they see solid reviews.
Think of it this way: If someone sees two fence companies with the same price, but one has 60 reviews and the other has 3, which one do they call?
Getting Reviews Without Sounding Pushy
Some fence contractors feel weird asking for reviews. It can feel awkward. But most customers are happy to help if you make it easy.
Here are a few ways to ask:
- Right after the job: “Would you mind leaving us a quick review on Google? It helps us a lot.”
- With your final invoice: Add a line that says, “If you’re happy, a review would mean the world to us.”
- By text or email: Send them a link. Keep it short and simple.
The key is not to pressure. Just ask kindly. Most people will help.
Make It Easy for Them
Even happy customers forget. Life gets busy. So help them out.
Here’s what you can do:
- Send them the direct link to your Google review page
- Show them how to do it if needed
- Remind them once, but not more
Don’t chase. Just nudge.
What Makes a Good Review?
A five-star rating is great. But a few lines of text matter even more. Here’s what makes a strong review:
- Mentions your name or company
- Talks about the service (fence type, time, cleanup, etc.)
- Says how they felt about the work
You can’t write the review for them, but you can suggest what to include. Something like:
“If you mention what kind of fence we built or how we treated your yard, that helps others know what to expect.”
Deal With Bad Reviews the Right Way
Even the best fence companies get a bad review now and then. Maybe it’s a mix up or someone hard to please.
Don’t panic. Here’s what to do:
- Reply fast
- Stay calm and polite
- Offer to make it right (if fair)
- Don’t argue
A kind reply shows future customers that you care. It tells them you’re the kind of company that listens.
Sometimes, the person may even update their review.
Keep Reviews Coming In
Google likes fresh reviews. One from this week looks better than one from three years ago.
Make it part of your process:
- Ask every happy customer
- Make it a habit after each job
- Keep track of who leaves reviews
If you’re too busy, set reminders or use tools that automate follow ups. Even a few per month adds up fast.
Connect Word of Mouth and Online Reviews
Here’s the secret: they work better together.
A neighbor might mention your name. Then that person checks you out online. If they see a long list of happy customers, they feel better about calling you.
The trust starts in real life and gets confirmed on Google. That’s the sweet spot.
Why It Helps SEO (Without Getting Too Technical)
When someone searches for “fence contractor near me,” Google has to pick which companies to show first.
Reviews play a big role in that. They show Google that people like and trust your work.
Here’s what matters most:
- Number of reviews
- Star rating
- How recent they are
- Keywords used in the review
So when someone writes, “Joe at FenceWebs installed a cedar fence and did a great job,” that helps you rank higher for “cedar fence.”
Local SEO + Reviews = Strong Combo
Local SEO is all about helping you show up in your area. When paired with good reviews, it works even better.
Make sure your Google Business Profile (GBP) is filled out and up to date:
- Add photos of your work
- List your services
- Keep your hours correct
- Respond to questions and reviews
This tells Google you’re active. And it tells customers you care.
Quick Tips Table
| Task | How Often | Tools or Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ask for a review | After every job | Text message or email with review link |
| Check your Google reviews | Weekly | Respond to all, good or bad |
| Update your GBP | Monthly | Add photos, check info |
| Track review numbers | Monthly | Simple spreadsheet or CRM |
Word of Mouth Still Starts It, But Google Seals It
Someone might first hear your name at church or at the barbershop. But they don’t stop there. They go to Google.
If they like what they see, they call.
If not, they move on.
That’s why reviews matter. They back you up. They build trust before you even talk to someone.
One Bad Review Won’t Sink You
Don’t worry too much about one bad review. Everyone gets one at some point.
What matters is the pattern. If you have 50 five-star reviews and one unhappy person, most people will ignore the outlier.
But if you only have three reviews and one is bad? That hurts.
So keep asking. Build a base. Let your happy customers do the talking.
Final Thought
Word of mouth and Google Reviews both matter. One is old. One is new. But they work together.
If you’re proud of your work, let others say it online. Ask, follow up, and thank them when they do.
That small effort could bring your next 10 jobs.
