Errand service owners live and die by reputation—one bad review or missing feedback can cost you dozens of potential customers. Trust is the only currency that matters when someone is handing you their keys, credit card, or access to their home. Building that credibility through customer reviews is non-negotiable if you want to scale beyond word-of-mouth referrals.
Why Reviews Matter More for Errand Services Than Most Businesses
Unlike restaurants or retail shops where customers can see a storefront, errand services are inherently trust-based. A client hiring you to pick up prescriptions, manage returns, or handle banking tasks is making a leap of faith. Reviews directly address that fear. They're proof that other people trusted you with sensitive tasks—and you delivered.
Studies show that 92% of consumers read reviews before hiring a service professional. For errand runners specifically, that number climbs higher because the stakes feel personal. A forgotten grocery item is annoying. A missed appointment to collect a package? That affects someone's day or finances.
How to Systematically Collect Reviews From Clients
Make requesting a review part of your process, not an afterthought. The best time to ask is right after delivery, when the experience is fresh and emotions are positive.
- Send a text or email within 24 hours of completing a job with a direct link to leave a review
- Include a simple message: "Thanks for trusting us with [specific task]! Would you mind sharing your experience? It takes 60 seconds and helps us serve you better."
- For higher-value jobs (shopping trips over $100, recurring weekly services), follow up with a phone call asking directly
- Offer a small incentive: $5 off their next order if they leave a review (ensure this complies with local review platform policies)
Where to Collect and Display Reviews
You need reviews on multiple platforms simultaneously. Don't rely on a single source.
Primary platforms:
- Google My Business: Non-negotiable. This is where people search for local services. Aim for 20+ reviews in your first three months of operation.
- Yelp: Particularly strong for service professionals in urban areas. Reviews here carry significant weight.
- Facebook: Your existing customer base likely sees you here anyway.
- Your website: Pull positive reviews and display them prominently on your homepage and service pages.
Niche platforms: If you operate in a specific vertical (grocery shopping for seniors, pet supply runs, etc.), research whether platforms like Care.com or similar services have review sections relevant to your niche.
Listing your business on platforms like Mercoly helps you get discovered, win leads, and showcase your services all in one place—plus it consolidates visibility so potential clients find your best reviews and service options together.
What to Do With Negative Reviews
Negative reviews will happen. A client forgets they told you to grab the wrong item. Traffic made you 15 minutes late. Handle this strategically.
Respond within 48 hours, stay professional, and never argue. A typical response: "We're sorry this experience didn't meet your standards. We'd love to make it right—please DM us or call [number]."
Follow up privately. Offer a refund or discount on the next service. Often, clients who feel heard will update or remove negative reviews. Even if they don't, a thoughtful response shows future customers that you care about fixing problems.
Track patterns in negative feedback. If multiple people mention you're late, you have a scheduling problem to solve. If people complain about communication, tighten your pre-job confirmations.
Building Momentum: From First Review to Social Proof
Your first 10-15 reviews are the hardest to get. Offer discounts to your initial clients or do free trial runs for friends and family in exchange for honest reviews. This seeds credibility.
Once you hit 20+ reviews with a 4.8+ average rating, you've crossed the threshold where prospects stop hesitating. At 50+ reviews, you're competing with established players. At 100+, you're in the top tier of your market.
Aim for 2-3 new reviews per week in your first three months. That's sustainable with 15-20 active clients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long before reviews actually affect my ability to land new clients? Within 2-3 weeks of your first 5-10 reviews appearing on Google, you'll notice increased inquiry rates. By week 8 with 15+ reviews, the effect is measurable—expect 20-40% more quote requests.
Q: Should I ever pay for fake reviews? Absolutely not. Platforms aggressively detect and remove fake reviews, and you risk suspension or banning. It's not worth it.
Q: Can I ask customers not to mention the private details I handled for them? Yes, absolutely—include this in your service agreement. Ask them to keep reviews general ("handled personal errands professionally") rather than specific, and most will respect that.
Start collecting reviews this week—reach out to your last five clients with a simple ask.