Last updated 5 October 2026. Written by Mark Cudine, founder of ReviewCue in Leeds.
Short answer: Google review cards are worth it if you see customers face to face and they leave happy but rarely get round to reviewing you. A card costs from £13.99, opens your Google review page with a tap (NFC) or a scan (QR), and needs no app. It won’t fix poor service, and it only works if people actually see it.
A lot of owner-operators have the same problem. Customers say lovely things at the till or on the doorstep, then go home and never write a word on Google. They meant it at the time. Finding your profile, tapping through to reviews and signing in is just enough faff that it slips their mind before they get home.
A Google review card cuts those steps down to one. This guide covers what the cards do, what they cost in the UK, when they pay for themselves and when they’re a waste of money. I run ReviewCue and we sell these cards, so bear that in mind. I’ll still tell you where they fall short.
What is a Google review card?
It’s a plastic card, roughly the size of a bank card, with a small NFC chip inside and a QR code printed on it. Both point to your business’s Google review link.
The customer holds their phone near the card, a link pops up, and your review form opens. If their phone doesn’t read NFC, or they’d rather use the camera, they scan the QR code instead. Nobody downloads anything. We sum it up as “Tap. Review. Done.” If you want the technical side, we’ve written up how tap-to-review cards work separately.
On compatibility: Apple’s developer documentation says iPhone XS and later models read NFC tags without an app, and most current Android phones have NFC built in. One detail catches people out. An iPhone won’t read a tag while the camera is open or Apple Pay is in use, so the QR code earns its place on the card.
What do Google review cards cost in the UK?
Cheap unbranded cards turn up on Amazon and eBay for a few pounds. Custom cards with your logo, colours and your own review link programmed in cost more. Here’s what we charge at ReviewCue:
| Product | Price |
|---|---|
| Custom branded NFC review card | from £13.99 |
| Business Starter Pack (3 custom cards, branded A5 stand, landing page) | £59.99 |
| A5 NFC review stand | £19.99 |
| A4 NFC review stand | £25 |
| Mix and match, one A5 plus one A4 stand | £29.99 |
Every order comes with a free mockup before you pay and free UK delivery. You can see the whole range in the ReviewCue shop.
There is a free option, and you should know about it. Google lets you create a review link or QR code from your Business Profile and share it yourself, and its own help page on getting more reviews suggests exactly that. A card is a tidier, branded and more durable version of the same link.
When review cards are worth it
Cards earn their keep when:
- you meet customers in person: salons, barbers, cafés, garages, clinics, or trades who hand over an invoice or keys at the end of a job
- you hear compliments but don’t see reviews, which usually means the process has too many steps
- someone will actually offer it, at the till or with the change, rather than leaving it in a drawer
The sums are small, too. If an average visit is worth £30 to you, a £13.99 card only has to play a part in one extra booking to cover itself. Treat that as a way to think about the cost rather than a forecast, because reviews are only one of the reasons people pick you.
Salons and barbers tend to suit them best because there’s a natural pause at the end of every appointment. Our salons and barbers page shows where shops tend to put them.
When they’re not worth it
Skip them, or wait, if any of these apply.
If you rarely see customers because you sell online or by post, a review link in your follow-up email does the same job for nothing.
If you’re hoping to bury bad reviews, a card won’t help. It makes it easier for everyone to review you, including the customer who had a bad day, and Google’s help page points out that a mix of positive and negative feedback often feels more trustworthy.
If your Google profile is a mess, with the wrong category, old hours or no photos, people tapping through will see that first. Sort it before you send anyone there. Our £29.99 one-off Google Business Profile Tidy covers categories, services and areas, hours, a plain-English description, photos and a direct review link.
How to use a review card without breaking Google’s rules
Google’s policy on fake and misleading reviews says businesses must not:
- offer anything in return for a review, including discounts, freebies or entry into a prize draw
- discourage negative reviews or only ask the customers you think are happy
- pressure people into reviewing while they’re still on the premises
- ask staff to collect a set number of reviews, or ask for reviews that mention a staff member
UK law points the same way. Since April 2025 the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act has banned fake reviews and reviews that hide an incentive.
In practice that means offering the card to every customer, saying the same thing to each of them, and letting them decide. Something like: “If you get a minute later, this takes you straight to our Google reviews. Honest feedback helps us.” Then leave it there. If they’d rather do it at home, they can scan the QR code on the way out or take a photo of it.
Cards, stands, or both?
Cards suit anything handed over, like the bill, a lanyard or a set of keys. Stands suit a fixed spot where people wait or pay. Plenty of businesses use both, and the mix and match stand pair (A5 plus A4 for £29.99) covers a counter and a second spot. Keep the wording simple. “Tap or scan to review us on Google” is enough, with nothing that tells people how to rate you.
Want to see yours first?
Send us your logo and your Google review link and we’ll make you a free mockup, so you can see exactly what you’d get before paying a penny. Get a free mockup of your branded review card.
Frequently asked questions
Do Google review cards work on iPhones?
Yes. Apple says iPhone XS and later read NFC tags without an app. The tap won’t register while the camera or Apple Pay is open, so a QR code backup matters. Most current Android phones read NFC too.
Are Google review cards allowed by Google?
Yes. Google lets businesses ask for reviews and suggests sharing a review link or QR code. It bans incentives, asking only happy customers, pressuring people on the premises and staff review targets.
Can I make a Google review QR code for free?
Yes. You can create a review link and QR code from your Google Business Profile and print it yourself. A paid card adds your branding, an NFC chip and a format that lasts longer than paper.
Will review cards get me more reviews or a higher Google ranking?
Nobody can promise either. Cards remove a step for people who meant to review you anyway. Google says more reviews and positive ratings can help local ranking, but no one can guarantee a position.
How much do custom Google review cards cost in the UK?
At ReviewCue, custom branded NFC cards start from £13.99, and the Business Starter Pack with three cards, an A5 stand and a landing page is £59.99. Every order includes a free mockup and free UK delivery.
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