Have you ever Googled a business and skipped past the ones with no reviews? That’s exactly what potential clients do when they check out your services. The problem is, just receiving them by email or DM doesn’t give the trust that reading reviews off a third party has. The solution is to collect as many reviews as possible across multiple trusted platforms, starting with directories where your profile and services get more views when they have reviews.
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Why Receiving Reviews in DMs Isn’t Cutting It
It might feel good when someone sends you a glowing message about your work, but a private DM doesn’t build your credibility. Those words stay locked in your inbox where no future client will ever see them. Reviews only make an impact when they’re on 3rd party platforms where potential clients are actively looking.
A good workaround is to screenshot those messages and add them to your website or socials. It’s not as strong as a verified review on Google or a directory, but it still feels more authentic than a self-written testimonial. Keep in mind, though, reviews you place directly on your website often get overlooked. People know you control your own site, so they carry less weight than reviews collected on platforms you can’t edit.
From an SEO perspective, reviews add fresh content and keywords to your profiles, boosting your chances of showing up in search results. From a GEO perspective, reviews on Google Business Profile and local directories can help you rank in map packs and location-based searches, even if you serve clients online. That extra local visibility can drive more traffic and leads.
The Dangers of Relying on Google Business Profile
Google Business Profile is one of the strongest places to collect reviews, but it comes with risks. If you don’t list a physical address and only use a service area, you’re technically breaking Google’s terms of service. While many businesses do this and Google rarely enforces it, you could still face suspension or removal without warning.
Eligible Businesses
To qualify for a Business Profile, your business must make in-person contact with customers during its stated hours. There are some exceptions, such as ATMs, video-rental kiosks, express mail drop boxes, seasonal businesses with permanent signage, and delivery-only food services with certain conditions.
Ineligible Businesses
Some types of businesses are not allowed on Google Business Profile, including:
- Rental or for-sale properties such as vacation homes or vacant apartments (though sales or leasing offices are allowed)
- Ongoing services, classes, or meetings held at locations you don’t own or control
- Lead generation agents or companies
- Online-only businesses (brands, organizations, artists)
- Businesses requiring customers to be a minimum age (alcohol, cannabis, weapons) without a storefront
- Any business listing a P.O. box or remote mailbox as its address
👉 See Google’s official eligibility guidelines here.
Why This Matters
If you’re bending the rules, all your reviews could disappear overnight if your profile is suspended. That’s why it’s critical to also collect reviews on directories, Facebook, LinkedIn, and other platforms. By spreading your reviews out, you protect your reputation and make sure clients can always find trusted feedback about your services.
You Need To Ask for Reviews in Two Places
The smartest move is to always ask clients to leave reviews in at least two places. That way, you’re building trust across platforms and not relying on one profile alone. Start with the place that directly drives visibility for your services, then add a second platform where future clients are most likely to search. My recommendation is Google Business Profile and a choice from below, depending on your type of business.
Recommended Directories and Platforms for Reviews
1. Creative Designer Directory – Best Small Creative Business Owners
If you’re a member of the Creative Designer Directory, this is one of the best places to collect reviews. Not only are your reviews stored in a highly trusted directory, they’re also displayed where people are actively searching for a service provider to hire. The Creative Designer Directory’s clean, modern design makes finding the right person to hire faster and more simple than ever before. Keep your reviews here to stand out from the crowd and get hired more often.
2. Clutch – Best for Agencies
If you’re part of a larger agency, Clutch is a great directory to build your reputation. The platform is well-known for verified reviews, which means clients see them as more reliable and unbiased. Having reviews on Clutch can also boost your chances of showing up in their industry rankings, which drives high-quality leads directly to your business.
3. Facebook Business Page – Best Small Business
If you already have a Facebook Business Page, this is an easy place to collect reviews. People who follow you on social media are more likely to leave quick feedback, and those reviews build trust with your existing audience. They also show up when someone checks your page before sending you a message or visiting your site. For smaller businesses, Facebook reviews can be just as powerful as Google reviews because they combine social proof with the platform people are already spending time on.
4. LinkedIn – Best Personal Brand
LinkedIn recommendations are one of the best places to collect reviews. They’re tied directly to your professional profile, which makes them hard to fake and highly trusted by employers, collaborators, and clients. These recommendations are especially valuable for freelancers, consultants, or anyone who gets work through networking. They also show up when someone searches your name on Google, giving you extra credibility before a client even lands on your website.
5. Yelp – Best for Local Businesses
Yelp is one of the oldest and most recognized review sites, and it still carries weight in local searches. Reviews here are especially powerful for restaurants, cafes, salons, and local service businesses that rely on walk-in or location-based traffic. Yelp is also widely trusted by consumers, since reviews can’t be edited by the business owner. If you’re in a creative service field, having a presence on Yelp can add another layer of credibility and help you show up in local search results.
6. Trust Pilot – Best for Medium to Large e-commerce stores and service providers
Trustpilot is one of the most recognized review sites worldwide. Reviews here show up often in Google search results, which means they can boost your visibility beyond your own website. Because Trustpilot verifies reviewers, people see the feedback as more reliable and unbiased. This makes it a strong option for online businesses, e-commerce stores, and service providers that want to build trust with a global audience.
The Benefits of Gaining Reviews on Other Platforms
1. People trust you more
Most customers don’t believe what businesses say about themselves. They trust what other people say on independent sites.
- About 84% of consumers say they trust online reviews for service businesses as much as personal recommendations.
- More than 53% of consumers trust reviews just as much as word-of-mouth from friends.
2. It influences buying decisions
Reviews help people decide whether to buy or use a service. More positive reviews mean more trust, more clicks, more sales.
93% of customers read online reviews before making a purchase.
Buyers are 90% more likely to convert after reading good reviews.
3. Helps with being found online (SEO & Local Search)
Reviews send strong signals to search engines about how good, popular, and trustworthy your business is. That helps your business show up higher, especially in local searches or “map pack” results.
Review signals (like star rating, number of reviews, speed of new reviews) are among the top factors Google uses to rank businesses in the Local Pack.
Businesses with recent positive reviews and responding to them often have more visibility in local results.
4. More reviews = more trust & higher conversions
The more good reviews you have (and the more recent they are), the more confident people feel about choosing you.
70% of consumers need at least four positive reviews before they trust a business.
Tips on How to get Reviews
Always Reply to Reviews
Responding to reviews (good or bad) shows you value feedback and keeps your profile active. Google has said responding to reviews can improve local SEO, and potential clients like seeing that you’re engaged.
Almost 9 out of 10 (89%) consumers are highly or fairly likely to use a local business that responds to all reviews, both good and bad.
Ask at the Right Time
The best time to ask is right after you’ve delivered the project and your client is feeling most positive. Send them a quick link to where you’d like the review.
Make It Easy
Don’t just say “leave me a review.” Send a direct link to your review page. The easier it is, the more likely they’ll do it.
Guide Them Without Writing It for Them
Instead of giving them a script, ask them to share what problem you solved or what they liked most. This helps the review sound natural and adds keywords that help with SEO.
Follow Up Gently
Sometimes people forget. A friendly reminder a week later often does the trick
Spread the Reviews
Pick two places (for example: Creative Designer Directory + Google, or Google + Facebook). This builds trust in more than one spot and protects your reputation.
Showcase Reviews Elsewhere
Screenshot or repurpose your best reviews for social posts, proposals, or website features. Even though third-party reviews are stronger, showing them in multiple places keeps them working harder for you.
Conclusion
Reviews are one of the most powerful tools for building trust, improving visibility, and turning visitors into clients. The key is to not rely on just one platform. Collect reviews across directories, Google, and other trusted sites to protect your reputation and make sure your social proof shows up wherever people are looking. Always reply to reviews, guide clients to the right platforms, and keep the process simple. The more reviews you gather in the right places, the easier it becomes for clients to find you, trust you, and hire you.
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