Within 2 hours
Best
Experience is fresh. Positive feeling is at peak. Customer is still emotionally engaged with your business. This is the window that converts.
Strategy guide
When to ask customers for a Google review.
Timing a review request correctly can 2–3× your conversion rate. The same message sent 30 minutes after a visit performs dramatically better than the same message sent the next morning. This guide covers the right moment by business type — and what to never do.
The timing effect
Why timing changes everything.
Next day
50% less
Customer has moved on mentally. The experience is less vivid. Still worth sending, but don't expect the same response rate.
After 3 days
Very low
Customer has forgotten the details of their visit. Asking at this point feels out of context and rarely converts. Skip it.
By business type
When to ask for each type of business.
Dental clinics & health practices
When: 30–90 minutes after the appointment ends
Not immediately after — patients are focused on payment and aftercare instructions. Send the WhatsApp request once they're home and relaxed. For post-procedure patients (fillings, root canals), wait until the anaesthesia has worn off — next day is fine if same-day feels too soon.
Restaurants & cafes
When: 30–60 minutes after the meal
While the customer is still in the 'after a good meal' mood. Don't ask at the table while paying — that feels awkward. A WhatsApp message sent shortly after they've left is the sweet spot. For delivery orders, send while they're still eating.
Salons, parlours & spas
When: 1–2 hours after the appointment
Right after they leave the salon, customers often text photos to friends — that's the peak positive moment. Catch them there. For spas or hair treatments where results show later, a 2–4 hour delay works well too.
Auto workshops & garages
When: Same evening or within 24 hours of pickup
Wait until the customer has had a chance to drive the car and confirm everything works. Asking immediately on pickup, before they've tested it, is premature. An evening WhatsApp after a morning pickup is the ideal timing.
Repeat customers — long-term clients
When: After a milestone visit or very positive interaction
Loyal customers who've never left a review are your best untapped audience. Ask during a natural milestone — their 10th visit, after a particularly positive comment they made, or after resolving an issue well. Don't ask every visit or it becomes background noise.
Avoid these timing mistakes
Timing errors that kill conversion.
Avoid
Asking while they're still paying
This feels transactional and rushed. The customer is focused on the bill — not on finding something nice to say about you. Wait until they're home and relaxed.
Avoid
Waiting a week or more
By the time a week has passed, the experience has faded. The customer may struggle to remember what specifically they liked, making it harder to write anything meaningful.
Avoid
Sending at night or early morning
Messages sent after 10 PM or before 8 AM are often ignored or forgotten by morning. Stick to 9 AM–9 PM. The ideal window is afternoon or early evening.
Avoid
Sending multiple requests to the same customer
Sending two or three review requests to the same customer within a few weeks is annoying and damages goodwill. Ask once. If they don't respond, move on — don't chase.
FAQ
Timing questions answered.
What is the best time to ask for a Google review?
Within 1–2 hours of the service or transaction. The experience is still fresh and the positive feeling is at its peak. Waiting until the next day reduces conversion rates significantly.
Should I ask during or after the visit?
After the visit. Asking while the customer is paying feels rushed. A WhatsApp message sent 30–60 minutes after departure feels natural and gives the customer time to reflect positively.
How often should I ask repeat customers?
Once per customer, unless 6+ months have passed since their last review. Multiple requests within a short period are annoying and counterproductive.
Is there a best day of the week?
Monday and Tuesday mornings tend to perform slightly better than Friday evenings. But the timing relative to the visit matters far more than the day of the week — get the request out within 1–2 hours.
Related guides
Read next.
Never miss the window
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