Is Google still the most important place for reviews?

Yes. Google reviews show up directly in search and Maps, so they win you the most jobs. Build there first, then branch out.

Should I be on Yelp as a contractor?

It depends on your area. In some markets homeowners check Yelp heavily, in others almost nobody does. Claim your listing either way so it stays accurate.

Do Facebook reviews help me get found?

Less than Google for search, but they are strong social proof, especially if you are active in local Facebook groups where neighbors ask for recommendations.

Should I put reviews on my own website?

Yes. Your website is the one place you fully control. Showing your best reviews there builds trust the moment a visitor lands, no algorithm involved.

Where should I collect reviews besides Google?

Updated June 28, 2026 · Reviews & reputation

Short answer

Google should be your first priority, but a few other places matter for trades: Facebook for social proof, the Better Business Bureau and Yelp for buyers who check there, Angi or HomeAdvisor if you use them for leads, and trade-specific directories your customers trust. The smartest move, though, is to also collect reviews on your own website, where you control how they look and no algorithm can hide them.

Google should be your number one priority for reviews, because they appear right in search and Maps where buyers are deciding who to call. But a few other places earn their keep for trades: Facebook for social proof, the Better Business Bureau and Yelp for the buyers who check them, lead platforms like Angi if you use them, and your own website, which is the one spot no algorithm can bury. Build Google first, then spread out deliberately.

Start with Google, always

Google reviews do double duty: they build trust and they help you rank in the Map pack. No other platform does both as well. Get a solid base there before you split your energy, and aim to stay ahead of your top local competitor, covered in how many Google reviews do I need. Once Google is humming, the others become a smart bonus rather than a distraction.

The platforms worth your time

After Google, prioritize based on where your specific customers actually look:

Facebook: strong social proof, especially powerful if you are active in local groups where neighbors ask for plumber or electrician recommendations.
Better Business Bureau: still trusted by older and more cautious homeowners who want to vet a contractor before letting them in the door.
Yelp: market-dependent. Heavy in some cities, ignored in others. Claim your listing regardless so the info stays correct.
Angi, HomeAdvisor, or Thumbtack: worth it only if you already use them for leads, since reviews there feed those platforms.
Trade directories: niche sites your customers trust, like a roofing or pest control association listing.

Do not try to be everywhere. Pick two or three beyond Google and do them well.

Whatever platform you choose, never spread yourself so thin that Google goes quiet. One strong Google profile beats five half-built listings nobody updates.

The platform you actually own

Every site above is rented ground. The rules can change, listings can get buried, and you do not control the layout. Your own website is the exception. When you display your best reviews on your homepage, you decide what shows, it loads instantly, and no algorithm can hide it. It is also the place a buyer lands when they are closest to calling. Pulling your Google reviews onto your site combines the trust of Google with the control of your own page, covered in show Google reviews on your website.

Do not let a Facebook page replace a real site

Many trades lean on a Facebook page and skip a website, which leaves all that proof trapped on someone else's platform. A real site lets you gather reviews from every source into one trustworthy place, explained in do I need a website if I have a Facebook page.

At Blank Theory we build a fast site that pulls your reviews into one clean, trustworthy page you fully control. You can see a free preview before paying anything, then a flat $199 per month with no contract.

Frequently asked questions

Is Google still the most important place for reviews?: Yes. Google reviews show up directly in search and Maps, so they win you the most jobs. Build there first, then branch out.
Should I be on Yelp as a contractor?: It depends on your area. In some markets homeowners check Yelp heavily, in others almost nobody does. Claim your listing either way so it stays accurate.
Do Facebook reviews help me get found?: Less than Google for search, but they are strong social proof, especially if you are active in local Facebook groups where neighbors ask for recommendations.
Should I put reviews on my own website?: Yes. Your website is the one place you fully control. Showing your best reviews there builds trust the moment a visitor lands, no algorithm involved.