The holiday season is supposed to slow things down.
But for local businesses? It’s chaos.
Phones ring nonstop.
Appointments get rescheduled.
Customers want things “done before the holidays.”
Whether you run an HVAC company, a dental office, a med spa, or a local law firm, this season isn’t quiet. It’s urgent and busy.
But it’s also the best time of year to collect 5-star reviews that boost your Google Maps ranking.
And you don’t need to offer a single discount to do it.
Why Google Reviews Matter More During the Holidays
Google’s local algorithm is looking for signals of trust and relevance.
Reviews are one of the strongest signals, especially recent, high-quality ones.
When your business receives:
- More reviews
- Keyword-rich content in reviews
- Timely responses from your team
- New reviews during periods of high customer demand…
Google sees that as a sign your business is active, trusted, and worth ranking higher.
That’s how you break into the Top 3 of the Map Pack, where 70%+ of customers click first.
Why the Holidays Are Your Hidden Advantage As a Local Business
Even if you’re not running any Black Friday specials or year-end promotions, the customer psychology this time of year is working in your favor.
Here’s why:
1. More urgency = more emotion
People are on a deadline. When you help them, even with something small, they’re more likely to leave a review out of relief or gratitude.
2. People want to support local businesses
Especially around the holidays, customers love the idea of helping out the businesses they rely on.
3. You’re probably busier than usual
More service calls. More appointments. More opportunities to simply ask.
4. Your competitors aren’t doing it
They’re too busy “getting through the season.” You’re about to turn the season into a ranking advantage.
5 Ways to Get More Reviews This Holiday Season (Without Sounding Desperate or Offering Discounts)
✅ 1. Ask Right After a Job, Visit, or Appointment
Timing is everything. The moment you’ve delivered value, ask for a quick review.
“Hey [Name], if you were happy with how everything went today, it’d mean a lot if you left us a quick Google review. It helps others find us, especially during the holidays.”
✅ 2. Make It Personal and Seasonal
Holiday context makes people more generous. Try:
“We’re trying to hit 100 5-star reviews before the year ends. If you’ve got 30 seconds, here’s a direct link!”
✅ 3. Use the Tools You Already Have
Text the review link after the service. Add a QR code to your front desk or invoice. Mention it in follow-up emails. Make it easy.
✅ 4. Respond to Every Review You Get
Google tracks your engagement, too. Replying to reviews (especially using keywords like your service, location, or holiday timeframe) keeps your profile alive and boosts trust.
✅ 5. Ask Your Past Clients
This is the perfect time of year to reach out to happy customers you served earlier this year and politely ask for a review. Many will say yes, they just forgot.
What to Do With Those Reviews
Every 5-star review you collect helps:
- Build trust with future customers
- Improve your click-through rate
- Increase your chance of ranking in Google’s Top 3 Map Pack
- Make your business look more active (which Google loves)
Pro tip: Include seasonal keywords when responding to reviews:
“Thanks for choosing us for your last-minute holiday cleaning, Sarah!”
“We’re glad we could help before your family visit!”
This shows Google you’re relevant right now.
What If You Don’t Have Time to Manage All This?
That’s exactly what we built Jumper Local for.
While you’re busy running your business, we help you rank in the Top 3 on Google Maps, fast.
✅ We don’t touch your website
✅ No SEO blogs or ad campaigns
✅ No passwords or complicated setup
✅ Just real local activity that builds trust with Google
We boost the engagement that matters:
- Profile clicks
- Directions
- Website taps
- And more
More activity = more trust = higher rankings = more leads.
Don’t Let Holiday Traffic Go to Waste
Even if you don’t run promotions or offer discounts, the holiday season is full of people searching for local services, fast.
Be the business they find first.
👉 Start Your Free Jumper Local Trial Today.
No credit card and no contracts required.
