Google Review Card Maker

How to make a Google review card

Search for your business above, then choose a card size. Edit the heading and the short message so it sounds like you, and pick an accent colour that suits your brand. The preview updates as you type. When you are happy with it, press "Print or save as PDF". Your browser's print screen opens with only the card or cards on the page.

In the print window, you can choose a printer or "Save as PDF" to send the file to a print shop. Switch off the option for headers and footers if your browser shows it, so the page title and web address are not printed around the card. If the card looks cut off, check that the paper size in the print window matches the size you chose.

Which size should you pick?

• A6 (105 x 148 mm). About the size of a postcard. Good for counters, treatment rooms, and as a table tent: print on thick paper, and fold or stand it in a small holder. The QR code is large enough to scan from a short distance.
• Business card (85 x 55 mm). Fits a wallet or a pocket. Hand one to a customer at the end of a job, or tuck it into a bag or a parcel. The QR code is smaller, so print at good quality.
• A4 sheet of ten cards. The cheapest way to make a batch with a normal office printer. Print on light card stock, then cut along the dotted lines with a guillotine or a sharp knife and a ruler.

The A4 sheet is laid out for A4 paper (210 x 297 mm). US Letter paper is shorter (about 216 x 279 mm). The ten cards need 275 mm of height, so on Letter the bottom row may be cut off or move to a second page. Do a test print on plain paper first. If the last row does not fit, print the single business-card size instead, or use A4 paper.

What to write on the card

Keep it short. One friendly line, the QR code, and a clear instruction beat a paragraph of text. Say who you are, say thanks, and tell people what the code does: "Scan to leave us a review on Google". Some examples that stay within the rules: "Enjoyed your visit? A short Google review helps other people find us." or "Thanks for choosing us. We read every review."

Avoid anything that sounds like a bargain. Three examples to avoid: "Review us and get 10% off", "Leave five stars for a free coffee", and "Tell us if you were not happy before posting". The first two offer a reward. The third steers unhappy people away from a public review. Google does not allow rewards for reviews, and it does not allow discouraging negative reviews or asking only for positive ones. This is often called gating. Everyone gets the same card.

QR cards and NFC cards

Many people search for "Google review cards" and find NFC cards. NFC (near-field communication) cards are plastic cards with a tiny chip. The chip opens a web page when a phone is held against it. They look neat, and some customers enjoy the tap. We do not sell them and this tool does not make them. What the card does is simple: it opens a link. A printed QR code opens the very same link and needs nothing more than a phone camera.

If you are weighing up NFC, here are honest points to consider. A chip can be hard to read through a thick phone case. Some people do not know to tap a card with their phone, so a printed QR code makes a good backup. Check that the seller links the card to your own review link, not to a page of theirs, and that you can change it if your listing changes. A printed QR card is usually cheaper and easy to reprint.

Where to use your cards

Hand over cards when the customer has just had a real experience, such as after a job, a meal, or a service. Put them at the till, slip one into the bag, leave one after a repair, or add one to an invoice envelope. Do not hand them only to people who looked happy. Use the same routine for every customer so you do not drift into selective asking, which Google does not allow.

Pair the card with a digital version of the same link. The review link generator gives you the text link for messages, and the QR code generator gives you downloadable image files for signs. Google's own rules are in its review content policy.

Put the reviews to work on your website

The card gets more reviews onto your Google listing. VerifiedWidget gets them in front of the people who visit your website. Connect your business with a Google Maps link, choose a layout, and paste one script tag (a short piece of code). See the free Google reviews widget for what the free plan includes.

Frequently asked questions

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