Section 1
Why Google Reviews Are Your Silent Sales Team
A homeowner searching for a solar contractor in Johannesburg sees three results on Google Maps. Two have 12 reviews at 4.1 stars. One has 87 reviews at 4.9 stars. Which one gets the call? Reviews don't just build trust — they determine who gets the job before you've said a word.
87%
of consumers read reviews before choosing a local business
73%
only consider businesses with a 4-star rating or higher
5×
more reviews in 6 weeks reported by businesses using automated requests
The challenge isn't that your clients don't want to leave reviews — most happy clients would gladly do it. The problem is that no one remembers to ask at the right moment, and even when they do, clients often mean to leave a review but forget. Automation solves both problems.
⭐ Local SEO bonus: Google uses reviews as a primary ranking signal for local search. A steady flow of new reviews — not just a large total — signals to Google that your business is active and trusted. Aim for at least 5–10 new reviews per month once you're established.
Section 2
Connect Your Google Business Profile
Before you can automate review requests, you need to connect your Google Business Profile (GBP) to CMART™ App. This connection enables direct review link generation, review monitoring, and the ability to respond to reviews from inside your CRM.
1
Navigate to Integrations
PathSettings → Integrations → Google → Connect
Log in with the Google account that manages your Google Business Profile. Grant the requested permissions — CMART™ App needs these to pull review data and post responses on your behalf.
2
Select Your Business Location
If you manage multiple Google Business locations, select the correct one from the dropdown. For most solar contractors, this will be your single business location.
💡 If you don't have a Google Business Profile yet, create one at business.google.com before completing this step. A verified GBP is essential for local solar lead generation — it's where most residential clients will find you.
3
Run the Guided Review Setup Wizard
PathReputation → Overview
CMART™ App will show you a Guided Review Setup Wizard when you first visit the Reputation section. It walks you through six steps: connecting your review platforms, setting up your review link, sending your first request, and enabling Reviews AI. Follow it in order — it takes about 15 minutes.
4
Copy Your Google Review Link
Once connected, find your unique Google Review link inside the Reputation section. This is the direct link that takes clients straight to the review box on your Google Business Profile — no searching required.
Save this link somewhere accessible. You'll use it in your SMS templates, email templates (T08 from Resource #005), and WhatsApp messages.
💡 Test your link by opening it in a private browser window. It should take you directly to a Google review box for your business. If it redirects to your GBP homepage instead, check that your GBP is fully verified.
Section 3
Set Up the Review Widget
The Review Widget is a smart rating selector that routes clients based on their satisfaction level. Happy clients go straight to Google to leave a public review. Unhappy clients are routed to a private feedback form so you can resolve the issue before it becomes a public negative review.
To set up the widget, navigate to:
PathReputation → Widget → Customise
Customise the header text (e.g. "How did we do?"), description, and brand colours. Once configured, you can embed the widget on your website, or send the widget link directly via SMS or email — clients click it on their phone and are routed in seconds.
⚠ Important: The routing filter is designed to catch genuinely unhappy clients early — not to prevent anyone from leaving a review. Do not use any system that blocks or gates negative reviews — this violates Google's policies and can result in your GBP being suspended.
Section 4
Build Your Review Request Automation
The most effective timing for a solar review request is 3–7 days after installation — enough time for the client to see their system running and start feeling the benefit, but not so long that the experience has faded. We'll build two automations: a primary post-installation request, and a WhatsApp follow-up for non-responders.
1
Create a New Workflow
PathAutomation → Workflows → + Create Workflow → Start from Scratch
Name it "Solar — Post-Installation Review Request".
2
Set Your Trigger
The most reliable trigger for solar contractors is a tag applied to the contact when the installation is marked complete. Set your trigger to:
Trigger: Contact Tag Added → Tag: installation-complete
Apply this tag manually (or via a pipeline stage change) when you sign off on each installation. The automation fires automatically from that moment.
💡 Alternatively, use Pipeline Stage Changed as your trigger — when a contact moves to an "Installation Complete" stage in your sales pipeline, the review request sequence begins. Set this up under your Opportunities pipeline in CMART™ App.
3
Add a Wait Step — 3 Days
Add + Add Action → Wait → 3 days. This gives the client time to experience their system running before you ask for feedback. For solar, the first few days are exciting — panels generating, load shedding protection working — which puts clients in the best possible mindset for a positive review.
4
Add SMS Review Request (Primary)
Add + Add Action → Send SMS. SMS has the highest open and action rate for review requests. Use the template below:
5
Add Email Review Request (Secondary)
Add + Add Action → Send Email immediately after the SMS. This is your T08 template from Resource #005 — the "Could you spare 2 minutes?" email. Sending both SMS and email on the same day maximises the chances of the client seeing and acting on the request.
6
Add a Wait + WhatsApp Follow-Up (Day 7)
Add Wait → 4 more days, then add a WhatsApp action as a final gentle nudge for clients who didn't act on the SMS or email. Keep it very brief and friendly — one last ask, then let it go.
After the WhatsApp, add a final Add Tag → review-requested action so you can track who has been through the sequence.
7
Publish and Test
Toggle the workflow to Published and click Save. Test it by applying the installation-complete tag to a test contact and confirming the sequence fires correctly.
⚠ Never send more than 2–3 review requests to the same client. Over-asking damages your relationship and can feel harassing. One well-timed SMS, one email, and one WhatsApp follow-up is the maximum — then let it go.
Section 5 · Reference
Review Request Message Templates
Replace [Your Google Review Link] with your actual link from Section 2. Keep messages short — especially SMS.
SMS — Primary Request
Day 3 after installation
Hi {{contact.first_name}} ☀️ Hope your solar system is running well! We'd love a quick Google review if you're happy with the service — it really helps us: [Your Google Review Link] Thank you! — [Your Name]
💡 Keep SMS under 160 characters. If your review link is long, shorten it with bit.ly or a custom short link.
WhatsApp — Follow-Up
Day 7 after installation
Hi {{contact.first_name}} 😊 Just a gentle follow-up — if you've been happy with your solar installation, we'd really appreciate a quick Google review. It takes under 2 minutes and means a lot to our small business: [Your Google Review Link] No worries if now isn't a good time — thanks either way! 🙏
💡 The WhatsApp follow-up should feel personal, not automated. Avoid copy-paste formal language.
Manual — On-Site QR Code
At handover / sign-off
Print a QR code that links directly to your Google review page and attach it to your handover document or a business card. After commissioning the system, say: "If you're happy with the installation, this QR code takes you straight to our Google reviews — it takes about 30 seconds and really helps us." Scan it for them on the spot to remove all friction.
💡 Generate a QR code for free at qr-code-generator.com — use your Google Review link as the URL. You can also set this up inside CMART™ App under Reputation → QR Code.
Section 6
Responding to Reviews Professionally
Responding to every review — positive and negative — signals to Google that you're an active, engaged business. It also shows prospective clients how you treat people, which is often more persuasive than the review itself.
You can respond to reviews directly from Reputation → Reviews inside CMART™ App, without switching to Google. Enable Reviews AI to have draft responses suggested automatically — review and edit before publishing.
5-Star Review — Response Template
★★★★★
"Amazing service from start to finish. The team was professional, on time, and the system is working perfectly. Highly recommend!"
Thank you so much, [Client Name]! We're thrilled to hear everything is running smoothly. It was a pleasure working with you — enjoy the savings and let us know if you ever need anything. ☀️
4-Star Review — Response Template
★★★★☆
"Good installation overall, though there was a slight delay on the day. System is working great now."
Thank you for the feedback, [Client Name], and we apologise for the delay on installation day — we appreciate your patience. We're glad the system is performing well. If there's anything we can improve, please don't hesitate to reach out directly.
Negative Review — Response Template
★★☆☆☆
"Took much longer than expected and communication wasn't great during the process."
Thank you for your honest feedback, [Client Name]. We're sorry your experience didn't meet expectations — delays and communication gaps are not the standard we hold ourselves to. We'd like to make this right. Please contact us directly on [Phone Number] or [Email] so we can discuss this personally.
💡 Golden rule for negative reviews: Never argue, never get defensive, and never ignore them. Acknowledge, apologise briefly, and move the conversation offline. Prospective clients reading your response care more about how you handle problems than the problem itself.
Section 7
Display Your Reviews on Your Website
Once you have 10+ reviews, start displaying them on your SMART Solar Website. CMART™ App's review widget updates automatically as new reviews come in — no manual updating required.
PathReputation → Widget → Get Embed Code
Copy the embed code and add it to your website as a Custom HTML element — place it in your Trust section or just above your contact form. Showing real Google reviews at the moment a visitor is deciding whether to enquire is one of the highest-converting trust signals you can add to your site.
⭐ Where to display reviews for maximum impact: Homepage (above the fold or in Trust section), Quote page (just before the contact form), and your Google Business Profile itself. Reviews that appear across multiple touchpoints compound their trust-building effect.
Section 8 · Your Action Steps
Your Implementation Checklist
Final checklist for the Solar Series. Tick these off and your review engine is live.
0 of 9 completed
- My Google Business Profile is connected to CMART™ App under Settings → Integrations
- I've run the Guided Review Setup Wizard under Reputation → Overview
- I've copied and saved my unique Google Review link
- I've set up and customised the Review Widget with my branding
- I've built the Post-Installation Review Request workflow (3-day wait → SMS → Email → 4-day wait → WhatsApp)
- I've tested the workflow using a test contact and confirmed all messages arrive correctly
- I've enabled Reviews AI for suggested responses (Reputation → Reviews AI)
- I've embedded the review widget on my SMART Solar Website
- I've printed or generated a QR code for on-site handover review requests