SMS Review Request Templates: 15 That Actually Get Sent

TL;DR: SMS review requests convert 3-5x better than email because they arrive instantly, get opened within minutes, and take 30 seconds to act on. The best templates are short (under 160 characters), personal (use the customer’s name), and timely (sent 1-4 hours after service). Here are 15 templates you can copy, customize, and start sending today.

What Is an SMS Review Request?

An SMS review request is a text message sent to a customer after a service interaction, asking them to leave a review on Google or another review platform. The message includes a direct link to your review form and a brief, personal prompt.

SMS works better than any other review request channel for one reason: friction. A text arrives on the device already in the customer’s hand, opens instantly, and requires one tap to reach the review form. Email sits in an inbox. Postcards get recycled. Verbal requests get forgotten. Text messages get read — 98% of them, within 3 minutes.

The 15 Templates

Category 1: General Service Businesses

These templates work for any business that provides a service — plumbers, dentists, salons, accountants, repair shops.

Template 1: The Simple Ask

Hi [Name], thanks for choosing [Business]. If you have 30 seconds, a Google review helps us a lot: [LINK]

Template 2: The Specific Compliment

Hi [Name], glad we could help with [service]. If you were happy with the work, a quick Google review means the world: [LINK]

Template 3: The Team Mention

Hi [Name], [Tech/Stylist/Doctor Name] was glad to help today. If they did a great job, a Google review lets them know: [LINK]

Template 4: The Impact Statement

Hi [Name], thanks for trusting [Business]. Reviews from customers like you help other [homeowners/patients/clients] find us: [LINK]

Template 5: The Brevity Champion

[Name] — thanks for coming in today. Quick review? [LINK]

Category 2: Restaurants and Hospitality

These templates account for the social, experience-driven nature of dining and hospitality.

Template 6: Post-Dining

Hi [Name], thanks for dining with us at [Restaurant]. Enjoyed your meal? A quick Google review helps our team: [LINK]

Template 7: Hotel Checkout

Hi [Name], we hope you enjoyed your stay at [Hotel]. If we made your trip better, a Google review goes a long way: [LINK]

Template 8: Event/Catering

Hi [Name], thanks for trusting [Business] with your [event]. If everything went well, a Google review helps other hosts find us: [LINK]

Category 3: Healthcare (HIPAA-Compliant)

Healthcare SMS review requests must avoid referencing specific treatments, diagnoses, or visit details. Keep it general.

Template 9: Post-Appointment (General)

Hi [Name], thanks for visiting [Practice]. We value your feedback — if you have a moment, a Google review helps other patients find us: [LINK]

Template 10: Post-Appointment (Warm)

Hi [Name], hope your visit with us went well today. If you are comfortable sharing your experience, a quick review helps: [LINK]

Category 4: Home Services and Contractors

These templates work for service calls, project completions, and ongoing maintenance relationships.

Template 11: Post-Service Call

Hi [Name], [Tech Name] just finished up at your place. If the job looks good, a Google review helps us out: [LINK]

Template 12: Project Completion

Hi [Name], glad we could finish up [project type] for you. If you are happy with the result, a Google review would mean a lot: [LINK]

Template 13: Maintenance Follow-Up

Hi [Name], thanks for being a [Business] customer. If we have been taking good care of your [system/property], a quick review helps: [LINK]

Category 5: Professional Services

For accountants, lawyers, financial advisors, and consultants where the relationship is longer-term and more formal.

Template 14: Post-Engagement

Hi [Name], thanks for trusting [Firm] with your [matter type]. If you were happy with our work, a brief Google review helps other [clients/businesses] find us: [LINK]

Template 15: Tax Season Special

Hi [Name], now that tax season is behind us — thanks for working with [Firm] again this year. A quick review helps us grow: [LINK]

SMS Review Request Best Practices

Keep It Under 160 Characters

A single SMS segment is 160 characters. Anything longer gets split into multiple messages, which looks messy and reduces completion rates. Count your characters. If your template is over 160, cut words until it fits.

Personalize With the Customer Name

Messages that include the customer’s first name get higher response rates than generic messages. Your CRM or review management tool should insert the name automatically.

Send at the Right Time

The ideal window is 1-4 hours after the customer interaction. They remember the experience, they are still warm, and they have their phone in hand.

Include a Direct Link

Do not ask customers to search for your business. Include your Google review link directly in the message. Shorten it with Bitly, Rebrandly, or a ReviewGlow review landing page to keep the URL clean and trackable.

One Message Per Customer Per Visit

Never send a second SMS review request for the same visit. One message, one chance. If they do not respond, you can follow up via email after 48 hours (see email templates), but do not double-text.

TCPA Compliance for SMS Review Requests

Sending unsolicited text messages violates the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). Here is what you need to stay compliant.

Get Written Consent

Collect opt-in during the customer intake process. A checkbox on your booking form, a line on your intake paperwork, or a digital consent screen at checkout.

Compliant opt-in language:

By providing your phone number, you consent to receive a one-time text message from [Business] requesting feedback about your visit. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out.

Include Opt-Out Instructions

Every SMS must include a way to opt out. “Reply STOP to opt out” at the end of your message satisfies this requirement.

Keep Records

Store consent records — who opted in, when, and through what mechanism. If a complaint is filed, you need to prove consent was obtained.

Automating SMS Review Requests

Sending texts manually works for small practices seeing 5-10 customers a day. Beyond that, automation is essential.

What to Automate

• Trigger: Service completion, appointment checkout, invoice paid
• Delay: 1-4 hours after the trigger event
• Personalization: Customer name, technician/provider name, service type
• Link: Your Google review link (shortened or landing page)
• Compliance: Automatic STOP handling and consent verification

How ReviewGlow Handles It

ReviewGlow review generation connects to your CRM, scheduling tool, or POS system. When a service is completed, the system waits the configured delay period, checks for consent, personalizes the template, shortens the link, and sends the SMS automatically. Responses and STOP requests are handled without manual intervention.

14-day free trial. Every feature unlocked. Cancel anytime.

Measuring SMS Review Request Performance

Track three metrics:

1. Send rate: How many review requests were sent vs. how many customers you served. Target: 80%+ of eligible customers receive a request.
2. Click rate: How many recipients clicked the review link. Target: 25-40%.
3. Completion rate: How many clickers actually submitted a review. Target: 50-70% of clickers.

If your click rate is below 20%, test different templates. If your completion rate is below 40%, the issue is likely the review form experience, not your message.

Conclusion

SMS review requests are the single highest-converting channel for collecting Google reviews. The templates above cover every major industry and scenario. Pick the one that fits your business, customize it with your name and link, and start sending within 1-4 hours of every customer interaction.

The difference between 20 Google reviews and 200 is not luck. It is a system. SMS is the fastest way to build that system.

Automate SMS review requests with ReviewGlow — 14-day free trial, every feature unlocked, cancel anytime.