A new year always sounds like a fresh start. In reality, practice life usually carries on exactly as it was before. Full diaries, staff juggling roles, emotional cases and very little spare headspace.

So let’s start here. You’re already busy. You’re already doing a good job. Your clients know that. When someone’s had a good experience, they usually want to say thanks. Reviews are just a simple way of letting that happen!

With the 2026 BestUKVet Awards on the horizon, reviews naturally come back into focus. Awards aside, reviews help pet owners feel sure they’re in the right place and give the team a much needed lift when daily life in practice can become a bit ‘heavy’.

Why reviews are worth thinking about

Every BestUKVet Award comes from feedback left by real clients. Each review is someone taking a minute to share what their visit felt like from their side.

In a busy practice, reviews can

  • Give your team a genuine boost when things are tough

  • Help new clients feel more confident about registering

  • Show the care and consistency you provide, even on the hard days

  • Build momentum quietly over time

They’re one of the few bits of positive feedback that often make it back to the whole team, and that matters.

Five realistic ways to get more reviews

You don’t need to overhaul anything here. One simple tweak is plenty.

1. Email recent clients

A straightforward place to start is a broadcast email to clients who’ve visited in the past 90 days. Keep it short and friendly. Thank them for trusting you with their pet and include a clear link to leave a review.

This doesn’t need to go out all the time. Even sending it occasionally helps reviews come in without much effort.

2. Use social media

Your followers already know how busy practice life can be. A regular, gentle reminder on Facebook or Instagram is often enough to prompt someone to leave a review.

A quick thank you post, a team photo or a short note explaining that reviews help staff feel appreciated is more than enough. No polishing needed.

3. Add a QR code in reception

This is one of the easiest changes you can make. A QR code in reception lets clients leave a review while their visit’s still fresh in their mind.

Pop it somewhere obvious like the desk or waiting area and let it sit there quietly doing its job.

4. Ask when it feels natural

No scripts or pressure- when a client thanks you or mentions they’ve had a good experience, that’s often the right moment to mention reviews.

A simple line about how reviews help the team feel valued is usually enough. Most clients are happy to help.

5. Automate follow ups with SMS or WhatsApp

When time’s tight, automation can really help. Many practice management systems already send SMS or WhatsApp messages shortly after an appointment, while everything’s still fresh.

There are also handy platforms that can integrate with the PMS you already use in practice. These can send a short, friendly message with a review link and follow up gently if someone forgets.

Once it’s set up, it just ticks along in the background. Reviews come in more steadily and your team can focus on patient care.

Making reviews fit around real practice life

Getting reviews is really about making it easy for clients to say thank you and share what their visit was like.

Putting one or two of these ideas in place can help reviews tick along in the background, even when things are busy and there are lots of other priorities competing for your attention. It’s less about finding extra time and more about letting simple systems do some of the work for you, as the 2026 BestUKVet Awards edge closer.

Get In Touch to find out how your practice can get involved!