Most healthcare practices do not have a review strategy. They wait for spontaneous Google reviews and hope that satisfied patients will write something themselves. The problem: satisfied patients are often silent. They have been helped, relieved and continue with their day.
The result is a Google profile that looks less active than your practice actually is. And exactly that profile is what a new patient sees at the moment he compares you with the practice further along.
A good review strategy is not about asking harder questions. It is about the right moment, an easy route and a tone that suits care: calm, honest and professional.
Short answer
A healthcare practice gets structurally more Google reviews by embedding review questions into the patient journey. Ask shortly after a positive experience, use one direct review link, send one friendly reminder and respond to every review. Never ask for a five-star review, but for an honest experience.
Why recent reviews determine the choice
People increasingly choose a practice online, before even having contact. Two things weigh heavily in this:
- Visibility. Recent reviews help your Google profile appear current and reliable.
- Trust. Other people's specific experiences remove doubt faster than any claim you make yourself.
- Recognition. Patients often look for evidence that someone like them received good care.
No recent reviews? Then you will soon read it as "less chosen", even if you provide excellent care.
This is especially important in dental care. People do not choose a dentist, orthodontist or dental hygienist the way they choose somewhere for lunch. They look for a calm atmosphere, clear explanations, pain-free treatment, hygiene, accessibility and whether complaints are taken seriously. Good reviews often highlight exactly those details.
The review strategy in 5 steps
A review strategy does not have to be complicated. It is about fixed moments and a fixed route, so that it no longer depends on chance (or a busy day).
- Choose one channel. For most practices, that is Google: it is where patients explore their options and where reviews have the greatest impact.
- Choose consistent moments. Ask when satisfaction is naturally at its highest, for example 24 to 48 hours after an appointment or immediately after completing a course of treatment.
- Use one consistent review link. Fewer steps mean more people actually leave a review. One click should take them to the right place.
- Keep the message simple and personal. Send a short, professional request via WhatsApp, text message or email, without marketing language.
- One gentle reminder. No response? Send one friendly reminder after 5 to 7 days, then leave it there.
Example of a good review question
Keep it small. A review request does not have to be a campaign:
Dear [name], nice that we were able to help you today. If you are satisfied with your visit, would you like to share your experience via Google? That helps other patients when choosing a practice. An honest review is already enough: [review link]
This text works because it does three things well. It is personal, it explains why the review is helpful and it does not ask for a score. That feels more human and is also better for your credibility.
What you better not do
Do not ask: “Would you give us five stars?” That steers the outcome. Instead, ask: “Would you share your experience?” This creates a more honest profile, with reviews that new patients can trust.
Do not offer a discount, gift voucher or treatment in exchange for a review. This damages trust and may violate platform guidelines. Read why you should not offer discounts for a review.
Common mistakes
- Asking too late, when the experience is no longer fresh.
- Too many steps, causing people to drop out halfway through.
- Generic messages that feel like an automated mass mailing.
- Steering towards a score instead of asking for an honest account of the experience.
- Not assigning responsibility, leaving everyone to assume someone else will do it.
- Not responding, even though every future patient can read your response.
And perhaps the most important: respond to your reviews. A short, sincere response shows that there is a person behind the practice, and that every subsequent visitor can read that.
Make it measurable without making it cold
A review strategy only becomes strong if you can follow it. Keep track of three simple numbers:
- New Google reviews per month
- Average response time to reviews
- Number of recent reviews in the last 90 days
Do not use those numbers to put pressure on your team. Use them to see if the system is working. If there are few reviews coming in, it is usually not the fault of patients. Then the timing is unclear, the link too cumbersome or the question not personal enough.
FAQ
When is the best time to ask for a review?
The best moment is shortly after a positive experience: after a successful treatment, after completing a course of treatment or when a patient spontaneously gives a compliment.
Can you ask your patients for a Google review?
Yes, you can ask patients to share their honest experience. Do not ask for only positive reviews and do not offer any reward.
How often do you send a reminder?
One friendly reminder is enough. Then you let it go. This way the question remains pleasant and you avoid it feeling like pushing.
