Email Review Requests for Small Businesses
Automatically send personalised review request emails to your customers after every job — timed perfectly when they're most likely to respond.
7-day free trial · No credit card required
Getting a customer to leave a review often comes down to a single thing: asking at the right moment, with the right link.
Plaudit's email review request feature does exactly that — automatically, for every customer, without you lifting a finger.
How It Works
- Add your customers — import a CSV, connect via our API, or add contacts manually
- Set your timing — choose when requests go out (e.g. 24 hours after job completion)
- Customise your template — add your logo, adjust the message, include the customer's name
- Connect your review platforms — Google, Trustpilot, Yelp, or any custom URL
- Plaudit does the rest — requests go out automatically, with direct links to leave a review
Why Email Works for Review Collection
Email hits a sweet spot: it's less intrusive than SMS, more personal than a printed card, and works on every device. More importantly:
- Customers can tap a direct link — no searching required
- They can respond in their own time
- You can include a follow-up reminder if they don't respond
Most businesses see a 3–5x increase in monthly review count within the first month of using automated email requests. If you're wondering why satisfied customers don't leave reviews on their own, see Why Customers Don't Leave Reviews.
What Your Request Looks Like
Your email is branded with your business name and logo. It includes:
- A personal greeting using the customer's first name
- A brief, friendly ask for a review
- Large, tappable buttons linking directly to your review platforms
- Your business contact details in the footer
No spam. No tricks. Just a genuine, well-timed ask.
When to Send — Timing That Increases Response Rates
Timing is one of the biggest variables in review collection. The same email sent at the wrong moment produces a fraction of the results.
- 2–6 hours after service — the sweet spot for most businesses
- Next morning for jobs completed late in the evening
- Within 24 hours as an outer limit — response rates drop sharply after 48 hours
- Avoid Friday evenings — emails sent late Friday often sit unread until Monday
Plaudit lets you set a delay that makes sense for your business. Once configured, every customer triggers the same timed sequence automatically.
Email vs SMS for Review Requests
Both channels work. The right choice depends on your business type and customer base.
| Factor | SMS | |
|---|---|---|
| Open rate | 30–45% | ~95% |
| Response speed | Hours to days | Within minutes |
| Best for | Professional services, B2B | Local services, trades |
| Opt-in requirement | More lenient | Explicit consent required |
Email is particularly well-suited to professional services — solicitors, accountants, consultants — where an SMS might feel out of place. For most local service businesses, SMS generates faster responses, but email works well as a follow-up or as the primary channel when mobile numbers aren't available.
For a full breakdown of both channels, see our guide to email review request templates and SMS review requests.
Smart Follow-Ups
Plaudit can automatically send a single follow-up email to customers who received a request but haven't left a review yet. One gentle reminder, sent a few days later, typically doubles completion rates.
The follow-up is sent only once — and only to customers who haven't responded. Customers who have already left a review are excluded automatically.
Works With Your Review Platforms
Connect Plaudit to:
- Google Business Profile — the most important reviews for local SEO
- Trustpilot — ideal for e-commerce and service businesses
- Yelp — popular for hospitality and food businesses
- Facebook — great for service businesses with a strong social presence
- Any custom URL — Houzz, industry-specific directories, and more
Getting Started
Setting up your first email campaign takes about 10 minutes:
- Create your free account
- Add your business review links
- Import your first customer batch
- Send your first campaign
Your 7-day trial includes full access to email review requests, follow-up automation, and all integrations. For a complete guide to writing effective email review requests — including templates and subject line tips — see our email review request guide.