A Google review plaque works best when it's mounted where customers already look, at a height they can read and reach, close to the moment they pay or wait. In a Sheffield barbershop or a Cardiff dental practice alike, the wall you choose matters more than the plaque. This guide covers where to put it, how to fix it securely to common UK wall types, and the mistakes that make a plaque invisible.
Where Customers Actually Look
Good spots to consider, starting with the strongest:
- Behind or beside the till, at standing eye level — customers face it while they pay
- Above or beside the reception desk or host stand, within reach for a tap
- A feature wall near the entrance, so customers see it as they come in and leave
- The waiting-area wall, at seated eye level, where people have time to read it
- Behind the coffee machine or the pass — visible to everyone being served
Height rule of thumb: mount the plaque around adult eye level — roughly 1.5m to 1.6m from the floor to its centre — and lower it in waiting areas where people are seated. If customers need to tap the NFC area, make sure they can comfortably reach it.
Where a Plaque Works Well in UK Businesses
- Pubs and gastropubs — beside the bar or the specials board, where customers wait to order
- Salons, barbers and nail bars — near reception or the payment point, rather than behind clients' chairs
- Private dental practices and clinics — on the reception wall at eye level, visible from the waiting seats
- Estate agents — on an internal wall near client desks, where people sit during meetings
- Tradespeople with a showroom — on the showroom feature wall, with cards for jobs done on site
- Independent shops and gift shops — beside the till or wrapping station
Mounting the Plaque Properly — An 8-Step Walkthrough
A secure fix starts with knowing what your wall is made of. Older UK buildings in particular can hide lath-and-plaster or uneven brick behind the paint.
Check the wall type first — plasterboard, brick, block or older lath-and-plaster — and look for hidden pipes and cables with a detector before drilling.
Mark the centre point at your chosen height with a pencil cross, using a spirit level rather than trusting the skirting or ceiling line.
Use fixings suited to the wall: plasterboard cavity anchors for stud walls, or a masonry bit and wall plugs for brick and block. Use any fixings supplied with the plaque where they suit your wall.
Hold the plaque in place with low-tack painter's tape, then step back and check the sight line from the door and the till.
Drill at a slow speed, using hammer mode only on masonry, and cover the floor with a dust sheet.
Mount the plaque and check it's level once more before you tighten everything fully.
Tap the NFC area with an iPhone and an Android phone and scan the QR code to confirm both open your review form.
Brief the team the same day: "If a customer asks about the plaque, thank them and show them how to tap or scan."
What You Need to Display a Plaque Properly
Beyond the Google review plaque itself — which arrives pre-programmed with your Google review link — you'll need the right fixings for your wall type, a drill, a spirit level and a pencil, all available from any DIY store. It's a one-off purchase with no subscription; see the product page for current prices. If your review link might change, the optional editable-link add-on lets you update it later without replacing the plaque.
Common Plaque Mistakes to Avoid
- Mounting too high — if customers have to look up or stretch to tap it, they won't
- Relying on adhesive pads on old, uneven or damp walls, where they may not hold
- Putting it in a corridor or toilet area where nobody lingers
- Adding "leave a review and get money off" next to it — incentives breach Google's policy, and concealed incentivised reviews are banned under the DMCC Act 2024
- Surrounding it with certificates, payment stickers and delivery-app decals, so the eye skips the lot
UK rules in brief: since 6 April 2025, the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 has banned fake reviews, concealed incentivised reviews and misleading presentation of reviews. The CMA enforces these rules and can fine businesses up to 10% of global turnover. A plaque that simply opens your review page, with no incentive or filtering, fits Google's policy — see our DMCC Act guide.
Plaque vs Stand vs Card — Which Suits Which Spot
A plaque is a permanent prompt; stands and cards cover the moments a wall can't.
- Wall-mounted Google review plaque — a permanent visual prompt · best for waiting areas and reception walls
- Counter-top Google review stand — a prompt right at the till · best for cafés and shops
- NFC Google review card — a staff handover at goodbye · best for salons and service trades
- Window or door sticker — a light-touch reminder · best where wall space is tight; see where to place review stickers
A Two-Week Plaque Plan
Days 1–2: Find your review link in your Business Profile (Read reviews → Get more reviews) and order your plaque.
Days 3–4: Choose the wall using the list above, then mark and dry-fit with painter's tape.
Day 5: Mount it with the right fixings for your wall type and test the tap and the scan.
Days 6–14: Brief every shift on a one-line ask and reply to new reviews as they arrive.
Putting It Together
A plaque earns its place when it's at eye level, on a wall customers face, fixed securely and backed up by staff who mention it. Ask every customer the same honest way, never offer anything in return, and reply to the reviews that come in — Google says replying shows customers you value their feedback. For more on getting the most from your wall, see how to use review plaques to improve in-store social proof.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What is the right height to mount a Google review plaque?
Around adult eye level — roughly 1.5m to 1.6m from the floor to the centre — and lower in seated waiting areas. Make sure customers can comfortably reach the NFC area to tap it.
What fixings should I use on a plasterboard wall?
Plasterboard cavity anchors suited to the plaque's weight, or screw into a stud where you can. For brick or block, use a masonry bit and wall plugs, and always check for pipes and cables first.
What comes with a Google review plaque?
Our wall plaques arrive pre-programmed with your Google review link, with NFC and a QR code. It's a one-off purchase with no subscription; [see current prices](/product/google-review-plaque) on the product page.
Is a Google review plaque allowed under the UK DMCC Act 2024?
Yes. A plaque that simply opens your review page, with no incentive or filtering, fits Google's policy. The DMCC Act bans fake reviews, concealed incentivised reviews and misleading presentation of reviews.
Which UK businesses benefit most from a wall-mounted plaque?
Businesses where customers wait or queue facing a wall — pubs, salons and barbers, private dental practices and clinics, estate agents and independent shops.
Can I mount the plaque in my shop window?
Inside, near the till or waiting area, is usually better. A plaque behind glass can still be scanned by QR, but customers can't tap the NFC area through a window, so an indoor spot within reach works best.
How quickly will a plaque change my Google review count?
There's no fixed timeline. It depends on footfall and on whether your team mentions the plaque, so pair it with a short, polite ask and reply to new reviews.
Does a Google review plaque help me get more reviews?
It gives customers an easy, always-visible way to reach your review page by tapping or scanning. Whether it leads to more reviews depends on where it's placed and whether your team mentions it.
Where should I not mount a review plaque?
Avoid spots customers rarely see, places too high to reach with a phone, cluttered walls and surfaces made of metal. Restrooms and back corridors are also poor choices.
What height is best for mounting?
Choose a height most adults can reach comfortably with a phone, roughly chest to eye level. Customers need to hold their phone close to tap it.
Can I mount a plaque on glass or brick?
Yes, as long as you use fixings suited to that surface and mount it level. Test the tap and QR code once it's in place.
Does a plaque need updating?
The plaque itself doesn't show a rating, so it doesn't need updating as reviews come in. If your review link changes, the editable-link add-on lets you update the destination without a new plaque.
Does a plaque work for service-area businesses?
Plaques suit places with walk-in customers, such as restaurants, clinics, salons, hotels and shops. Businesses that visit customers on site usually find cards or keychains more practical.
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