How to politely ask for Google reviews at your nail salon
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When is the best time to ask a nail client for a review?
Ask at the end, once the client has seen the finished nails and paid. That's when they know how they feel about the result. Don't ask while you're still working, or while their hands are under the lamp. They can't use their phone then, and they haven't seen the finished set yet.
Picture the real moment. The top coat is cured. The cuticle oil is on. The client turns their hands under the light and looks at the colour. Then they walk to the counter and pay.
That's when you ask. Use one short line, then let it go:
"If you have a minute, we'd love your honest review. The QR code is right here."
Some clients will scan now. Some will do it later. Some won't do it at all. All three are fine. A review that someone chose to leave is worth more than one they felt pushed into.
How do I make leaving a review quick?
Put a QR code where the client already looks: on the counter next to the payment machine, or on the nail station. They scan it with their phone camera, and the review page opens. No app is needed. Google's own help page tells businesses to print and display their review QR code in the store.
Google's page is Create a Google link or QR code to request reviews. It says, in plain words, "Print and display the QR code in your store."
A few small things make it easier:
- One code, one place. A single clear code beats five codes taped around the shop.
- Eye level. On the counter, facing the client, not behind the till.
- A friendly line, not an order. "Tell us how we did" works. Skip wording that sounds like a rule.
- Their phone, their choice. The client scans with their own phone. Staff never hand over the shop phone or tablet, and never stand and watch.
If you'd like a page for this, BookDone makes a free review page for your salon. Clients scan your QR code and leave stars, a comment and photos. Then every reviewer is invited to review you on Google too, whatever rating they gave. No card required.
Wondering how your salon compares? Check your Google reviews against salons near you. It's free, with no signup.
Should I ask every client, or just the happy ones?
Ask every client, the same way, with the same words. You can't tell who loved their nails just by looking. Quiet clients often write the kindest reviews. Picking only the happy-looking ones is called "review gating", and Google doesn't allow it.
Want Google's exact words? They're in our review rules guide.
There's a practical upside too. When everyone gets the same ask, nobody on your team has to guess who looks happy. And the fair complaints you get tell you what to fix: a chipped set, a long wait, a price that surprised someone.
To make it stick, agree on one line for the whole team. Say it at the counter, to every client, after payment. For more lines to choose from, see eight easy ways to ask for a review in English, each with the Vietnamese meaning.
Should I reply to every review?
Yes. Reply to good and bad reviews, and keep each reply short. Google says helpful replies show you're responsive. The person who wrote the review gets a notice when you reply. Thank people by first name. For a bad review, say sorry, say what you'll do, and give a way to contact you.
This comes from Google's page on managing customer reviews. Worried what one bad review does to your stars? The review calculator shows how many 5-star reviews it takes to balance one 1-star.
A good review:
"Thank you, Mai! So glad you love the chrome. See you in three weeks."
A bad review:
"Hi Jess, we're sorry your nails lifted after a few days. That shouldn't happen. Please call us on [number] and we'll fix them for you."
Three things to never do in a reply: argue, share the client's private details, or offer something in return for changing the review. That last one can get the review taken down.
Why do photos matter for a nail salon?
Nail work is visual. A photo of a fresh set shows the next client your shapes, colours and detail better than words can. So when a client is already taking a photo of their nails, that's a natural moment to mention they can add it to their review. Keep it a mention, not a request.
Both Google reviews and BookDone's review page let reviewers add photos.
Two rules keep this clean:
- The photo should be theirs. Don't take the photo on your phone and post it for them.
- Ask before you reuse it. If you want to share a client's review photo on your own social media, ask them first.
What should I never do when asking for reviews?
Never offer a discount, a free add-on or a gift for a review. Never ask only the happy clients. Never push: no standing over people, and no handing over the shop phone. Never ask clients to name a nail tech, and never set review targets for staff. Clients feel the pressure, and Google doesn't allow most of these anyway.
The short version:
- No rewards. A discount or freebie for a review makes it look bought, and Google takes those reviews down.
- No picking. Ask everyone, whatever you think they'll say.
- No staff names, no targets. Don't ask clients to mention a tech, and don't give staff a number of reviews to hit. If a client names someone on their own, that's fine.
- No pressure. No hovering, no repeat asking, no shop phone in their hand. One friendly line is enough.
Want Google's exact words, and what changed in April 2026? See our Google review rules guide.
Lash and brow studios: what's different?
The rules are the same, but the timing is different. Lash clients lie with their eyes closed for the whole service, so ask only after they've sat up and looked in the mirror. Brow tint can look darker on the first day, so some clients would rather review later. Either is fine.
A few lash and brow tips:
- Put the QR code by the mirror or at reception. That's where the client first sees the result.
- Never ask while they're on the bed. They can't see the result, and they can't use their phone with their eyes closed.
- Same words for everyone. Lash lift, brow lamination, tint or a full set: the same one-line ask.
- Photos help here too. Before-and-after photos show your work clearly. Again, the photo should be theirs, and you ask before you reuse it.
Questions owners ask
When should I ask a nail client for a review?
At the end, after the client has seen the finished nails and paid. Don't ask while you're still working or while the gel is curing. The client can't use their phone then, and they haven't seen the result yet.
Where should I put my review QR code?
Where clients already look: on the counter by the payment machine, or on the nail station. Google's own help page tells businesses to print and display their review QR code in the store.
Can I give a discount for a Google review?
No. Google takes down reviews given for a discount, free add-on or gift, even if you'd offer it for any rating. A friendly ask to every client works better.
Can my nail techs ask clients to mention their name in a review?
No. Google doesn't allow shops to ask for reviews that name a staff member, or to set staff review targets. Ask for the salon instead. If a client names a tech on their own, that's fine.
Should I reply to bad reviews?
Yes. Reply to every review, good and bad. Keep it short and calm. Say sorry, say what you'll do, and give a way to contact you. Google tells the reviewer when you reply.