How Google Review Cards Drive Business Growth

Getting more Google reviews has become a critical part of business growth, especially for service-based companies. Today’s customers trust online reviews almost as much as personal recommendations, making them essential for attracting new business.

But how do you make it easy for your satisfied customers to leave those valuable five-star ratings? The answer lies in creating Google review cards with QR codes, a simple yet powerful tool that removes barriers to feedback.

Table of Content

Why Google Reviews Matter for Your Business

Before diving into the how-to, let’s understand why Google reviews are so important. When potential customers search for services in their area, businesses with more positive reviews tend to appear higher in search results. According to recent studies, 90% of consumers read online reviews before visiting a business, and 88% trust these reviews as much as personal recommendations.

For service businesses like web design agencies, positive reviews build credibility and trust with potential clients who can’t physically “try before they buy.” Each positive review serves as social proof that your company delivers quality work and excellent customer service.

Like us, since our inception in 2013, we’ve earned a 5-star rating on Google My Business, supported by over 95 testimonials, reflecting our commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction.

Understanding QR Codes and Their Rising Popularity

QR codes have experienced a massive resurgence in recent years. What was once considered a fading technology has now become mainstream, with over 89 million Americans expected to scan QR codes by the end of this year. The pandemic accelerated this adoption as businesses sought contactless solutions for everything from restaurant menus to payment methods.

For review collection, QR codes solve a critical problem: they remove friction from the review process. Instead of asking customers to search for your business on Google, they can simply scan a code and be taken directly to your review form, reducing the steps needed and increasing the likelihood they’ll follow through.

QR Code Usage Statistics

• The United States accounts for over 38% of global QR code scans
• By late 2025, over 102 million U.S. consumers are projected to use smartphone scanners
• 55-60% of American consumers now prefer leaving feedback via mobile scanning versus typing manually
• QR codes with logos increase scan rates by up to 40%

How to Access Your Google Review Link

Before creating your review card, you need to get your unique Google review link. There are two main methods to find this:

Method 1: Using Google Search

1. Search for your business name on Google
2. Find your business in the search results or Google Maps section
3. Click on “Reviews” or scroll to the reviews section
4. Click the “Write a review” button
5. Copy the URL from your browser’s address bar

Method 2: Using Google Business Profile (Formerly Google My Business)

This method is even easier thanks to a recent update from Google:

1. Log in to your Google Business Profile dashboard
2. Click on your Business name
3. Click “Read review” and then “Get more reviews”
4. Google will provide a direct link you can copy
5. As of March 2025, Google now also offers a built-in QR code generator under the “Ask for Reviews” tab

For example, here is our QR code directly from the Google review pop-up screen:

The second method is preferable as it provides a cleaner link specifically designed for reviews.

Creating Your Digital Review Card with QR Code

With your Google review link in hand, it’s time to create a digital review card that includes a QR code. This can be shared via email, text, or displayed on tablets at your place of business.

Option 1: Using Free Online QR Code Generators

Several free tools make this process simple:

1. Visit a QR code generator website (like QR Code Tiger or QR Code Generator)
2. Paste your Google review link into the URL field
3. Customize your QR code with colors and your logo (if the tool allows)
4. Download the QR code image in high resolution
5. Create a simple digital card using design tools like Canva, incorporating:
   • Your business logo
   • A friendly request for a review
   • The QR code
   • Brief instructions (e.g., “Scan to share your experience”)

Option 2: Using WordPress Plugins

As a WordPress agency, you can leverage plugins to generate QR codes directly on your or your clients’ websites:

• Shortcodes Ultimate ($39/year) – Offers dynamic, customizable QR codes with analytics
• Kaya QR Code – A free plugin for basic page/post embedding
• Automator Pro Bundle ($149/year) – Integrates with WooCommerce checkout flows to link payment and review collection

These plugins allow you to generate and display QR codes using simple shortcodes, making it easy to include them on thank-you pages, in client portals, or even in automated emails after project completion.

Creating Physical Review Cards

Physical review cards are tangible reminders for customers to leave reviews. They can be particularly effective for businesses with in-person interactions.

Design Elements for Physical Cards

When designing physical review cards, consider these best practices:

• Standard business card size (3.5″ x 2″) works well for portability
• Include your logo, business name, and contact information
• Use high-contrast colors for the QR code (avoid dark backgrounds)
• Add a clear call-to-action like “Scan to leave us a review”
• Consider adding an incentive message (e.g., “Your feedback helps us serve you better”)
• Use quality card stock that feels substantial

Here is an example on our last business card:

Printing Options

You have several options for printing your review cards:

1. Local print shops often offer business card printing services
2. Online printing services like Vistaprint or Moo
3. In-house printing if you have a high-quality color printer

Pro tip: Order cards in smaller batches at first so you can refine your design based on customer feedback and scanning success rates.

Strategic Placement of Review Cards

The effectiveness of your review cards depends largely on when and where customers encounter them. Consider these strategic placement opportunities:

For Service Businesses in General

• Point-of-sale locations
• Reception desks
• Inside product packaging
• On receipts
• At checkout counters
• Event booths and trade shows

For Web Design Agencies

• Include in project completion packages
• Send with invoices
• Hand out during client training sessions
• Display at your reception area
• Include in proposal folders for new clients (showing confidence in your service)

The best time to ask for a review is right after a positive interaction or successful project completion, when satisfaction is highest. Train your team to identify these moments of customer happiness.

Involving Your Team in the Review Collection Process

Creating review cards is just the first step. For maximum effectiveness, your entire team should understand the importance of reviews and be actively involved in collecting them.

Training Your Team

Take time to educate your team members about:

• The business impact of positive reviews
• When and how to ask for reviews (timing is crucial)
• How to respond to customer questions about the review process
• How to handle potential negative feedback professionally

Role-playing exercises can help staff become comfortable asking for reviews in various scenarios.

Establishing a System

Create a consistent system for distributing review cards:

1. Assign responsibility for maintaining card supplies
2. Set clear expectations for when cards should be distributed
3. Track which team members are successful at generating reviews
4. Share success stories in team meetings
5. Consider creating a dashboard to visualize progress

Incentivizing Your Team

Consider implementing incentives to encourage team participation:

• Recognition programs for team members who generate the most reviews
• Small rewards or gift cards for reaching review milestones
• Team celebrations when overall review goals are met
• Including review generation in performance evaluations

Remember that any incentives should reward the act of asking for reviews, not the content of the reviews themselves. The goal is honest feedback, not just positive reviews.

Using Dynamic QR Codes for Better Tracking

Standard (static) QR codes work well, but dynamic QR codes offer additional benefits worth considering:

Advantages of Dynamic QR Codes

• Track scan data (times, locations, devices used)
• Update the destination URL without changing the QR code
• A/B test different review request pages
• Add parameters to track which specific cards are most effective

For small businesses, this data can help optimize your review collection strategy and demonstrate ROI to clients if you’re implementing this as a service.

Dynamic QR Code Services

Several platforms offer dynamic QR code generation with analytics:

• QR Code Generator Pro – Offers comprehensive analytics
• QR Code Tiger – Provides scan metrics and customization options
• ViralQR – Specializes in review generation

While these services typically charge a subscription fee, the insights gained can significantly improve your review collection efforts.

Implementing QR Codes on Your WordPress Website

You can also implement QR codes directly on your website to encourage reviews from visitors. Here are some effective placements:

Strategic Website Placements

• Footer section (always visible)
• Thank you pages after form submissions
• Client login or portal areas
• Case study and portfolio pages
• Pop-ups for returning visitors

WordPress Implementation Options

Beyond the plugins mentioned earlier, consider these implementation approaches:

1. Create a dedicated “Reviews” page with your QR code and testimonials
2. Add QR codes to downloadable resources (linking review requests to value)
3. Incorporate QR codes in email signatures for all client communications
4. Use shortcodes to display QR codes conditionally based on user behavior

Measuring Success and Optimizing Your Strategy

To ensure your review card strategy is working, establish clear metrics and regularly analyze performance.

Key Metrics to Track

• Number of new reviews generated
• Average star rating
• QR code scan rate (if using dynamic codes)
• Conversion rate from scans to completed reviews
• Impact on website traffic and conversions
• Keywords mentioned in reviews (for SEO insights)

Optimization Strategies

Based on your metrics, consider these optimization approaches:

1. Test different card designs and messaging
2. Adjust the timing of when you offer cards
3. Try different physical locations for card placement
4. Update your call-to-action based on customer feedback
5. Retrain team members if certain approaches prove more successful

Remember that review collection is an ongoing process that should be refined over time based on results.

Handling Negative Reviews

While the goal is to generate positive reviews, you’ll inevitably receive some negative feedback. How you handle these reviews matters:

Best Practices for Responding

1. Respond promptly and professionally
2. Thank the reviewer for their feedback
3. Acknowledge their concerns without being defensive
4. Explain steps you’re taking to address the issue
5. Offer to continue the conversation offline (provide contact information)
6. Follow up after resolving the issue to see if they’re willing to update their review

Remember that responding well to negative reviews shows potential customers that you’re attentive and committed to customer satisfaction.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

When implementing a review card strategy, be aware of these important considerations:

Guidelines to Follow

• Never offer incentives specifically for positive reviews (against Google’s terms)
• Don’t ask employees to post reviews (considered inauthentic)
• Don’t use review gating (filtering out negative reviews)
• Respect customer privacy when tracking QR code scans
• Be transparent about how review information will be used

Following these guidelines ensures your review collection efforts remain ethical and compliant with platform policies.

Conclusion: Building a Review-Focused Culture

Implementing Google review cards with QR codes is more than just a marketing tactic, it’s about creating a culture that values and actively seeks customer feedback. When your entire organization understands the importance of reviews and works together to collect them, you’ll see significant improvements in your online reputation.

Start small, measure results, and refine your approach based on what works best for your specific business. Over time, your growing collection of positive reviews will become one of your most valuable marketing assets, continually working to attract new customers and build trust in your brand.

With QR code usage continuing to rise and consumers increasingly relying on reviews to make decisions, there’s never been a better time to implement this strategy for your business.