(815) 277-9365 Free sample

Homeowners read your reviews before they call.  They look at more than the stars.

Almost everyone reads reviews before they hire.  They check how many you have, how new they are, and whether you answer.

Reviews · 2 minute read · Updated October 17, 2026 · Sources

Roofer A4.8 ★★★★★146 reviews · newest 3 days agoOwner replied to every review
Roofer B4.9 ★★★★★11 reviews · newest 14 months agoNo replies
Example, drawn by us. Roofer B has the higher rating. Roofer A has more reviews, newer ones, and answers them.

How a homeowner reads your reviews

  1. Roofer B4.8 (146)You4.6 (12)Roofer C4.9 (88)Your stars sit right beside theirs
    1Search

    They see your stars next to 2 others

    In the map box, your rating sits right beside your competitors'.

  2. Roofer B4.8 (146)Roofer C4.9 (88)4.5 star barRoofer D4.2 (9)3months:what mostpeople trust
    2Narrow

    They drop anyone under their bar

    For about a third of people, that's 4.5 stars.  Most only trust the last 3 months. [1]

  3. ★ Roof still leaks.Owner: Sorry about that.We'll be out Mondayto fix it, no charge.4.8Then your siteThey read your replies
    3Choose

    They read your replies, then your site

    A calm reply to a bad review shows how you'd treat them.  More than half visit your website next.

Why it matters

31%
2026 survey31%A year earlier17%
of people will only use a business rated 4.5 stars or higher, up from 17% a year earlier. [1]
74%
of people only care about reviews written in the last 3 months. [1]
54%
go to a business's website after reading positive reviews. [1]
80%
say they're likely to use a business that responds to all of its reviews. [1]

Reviews do two jobs

Google says more reviews and positive ratings can help your local ranking. [2]

New reviews1. Help you get into the map box2. Help homeowners pick you once you’re thereNew reviews1. Help you get into the map box2. Help homeowners pick youonce you’re there
Drawn by us, as an example.

How to ask, the legal way

Asking for reviews is allowed and it works.  The rules are about how you ask. [3] [4]

Do

  • Ask every customer the same way
  • Answer a bad review calmly

Never

  • Ask only the happy ones ("review gating")
  • Pay or give a discount for a review.  Google removes those, and the FTC can fine for it
  • Write reviews yourself, or have staff or family write them
  • Push anyone to change or remove a bad review

What CornerWick does about it

Reviews are part of the Maps and reviews plan.  Your rating on your website is part of the website plan. See the plans and prices

How we handle reviews

Sources

  1. BrightLocal, Local Consumer Review Survey 2026 (1,002 US adults, published Feb 11, 2026), checked 2026-10-16.
  2. Google Business Profile Help, "Tips to improve your local ranking on Google", checked 2026-10-16.
  3. Google Maps user content policy, "Prohibited and restricted content", checked 2026-10-16.
  4. FTC, final rule banning fake reviews and testimonials (Aug 14, 2024), checked 2026-10-16.

Want to see where you stand?

We'll build you a free sample and show you your own numbers.

See your free sample site
CallFree sample