If you searched for a Google review widget for your website, you want verified customer ratings visible on your own pages — not buried on Google Maps. Google does not ship an official embed for that, so a third-party Google reviews widget pulls live ratings and reviews from your Google Business Profile and renders them in a layout you control. The best part: it drops into any website with a single copy-paste snippet.
The quick answer
To add a Google review widget to your website, create a widget in the GR Widget builder, search your business by name, then copy a two-line embed and paste it into your site's HTML. It works on any platform — here are the main routes:
- Universal HTML embed — one
<script>tag plus a<div>that works on any website. - Website builder embed block — paste the same snippet into a Wix, Squarespace, or Webflow HTML element.
- Platform plugin or app — optional convenience wrappers exist for WordPress and Shopify.
- Developer template include — drop the snippet into a header, footer, or component in a hand-coded or framework site.
Every route uses the same hosted widget: no Google API key, automatic review sync, and no view limits.
What is a Google review widget?
A Google review widget is a small block of HTML and JavaScript that displays your Google star rating, review count, and selected customer quotes on pages you choose. Unlike a static screenshot, a proper widget syncs from Google, so new reviews appear automatically after your next scheduled sync — no manual editing, and nothing to keep up to date by hand.
Typical placements include:
- Homepage hero or header — a compact badge next to your logo or primary call-to-action
- Service and landing pages — a carousel or review feed near pricing or contact forms
- Footer or sticky corner — persistent social proof on every page without dominating the layout
How to add Google reviews to any website
The process is identical whether you run a hand-coded HTML site, a website builder, an online store, or a framework app. You do not need developer access beyond the ability to paste embed code into a page or template.
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1
Create your widget in the builder
Sign up free — no credit card — and search for your business by name. We resolve your Google Place ID for you, so there's no API key or Google sign-in.
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2
Choose a layout and style
Pick a badge, feed, carousel, or floating sticker, then set colours, fonts, and review filters with a live preview.
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3
Copy the universal embed code
Grab the two-line snippet — an async
<script>tag and a placeholder<div>with your widget key. -
4
Paste it into your site's HTML
Add it to a page body, an embed/HTML block, or a site-wide header or footer template — wherever you want the reviews to appear.
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5
Publish
Reviews sync automatically — change the layout, colours, or filters in the builder anytime without touching your site again.
The embed itself is just two lines. Load the script once, then reuse the placeholder <div> for each spot you want reviews:
<script src="https://grwidget.com/v1/grwidget.js" async defer></script> <div class="grwidget-embed" data-grwidget-key="YOUR_WIDGET_KEY"></div>
Tip: put the <script> tag once in your header or footer template, then place only the <div> block on each page that needs a widget.
Want the full platform-agnostic walkthrough, including CSP and caching notes? See our dedicated guide to embedding Google reviews on your website.
Ways to add a Google reviews widget to your website
Every route below renders the exact same hosted widget and syncs the same Google reviews — they differ only in where you paste the code. Use this table to pick the path that matches how your site is built.
| Method | Best for | Account required | Coding required | Where it works |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Universal HTML embed | Any site with an HTML or embed block | Free to create the widget | Paste one snippet | Any website |
| Website builder embed element | Wix, Squarespace, Webflow, GoDaddy | Free to create the widget | None — paste in an HTML element | Builder pages and sections |
| Platform plugin or app | WordPress and Shopify stores | Optional — WordPress plugin runs standalone | None | That platform |
| Developer template include | Hand-coded, static, or framework sites | Free to create the widget | Paste into a template or component | Any codebase |
Not sure which layout to embed? Browse live demos of every option on our Google reviews widget examples page.
Google review widget types and layouts
Not every page needs the same format. GR Widget includes 13 layouts across four families — all drawing from the same synced review pool:
Badge widgets
Compact star rating plus review count. Ideal for headers, footers, and sidebars where space is limited. A badge answers “Are you reputable?” in under two seconds.
Review feeds and grids
List, grid, or masonry layouts that show full review text. Best for dedicated testimonial sections where visitors read before contacting you.
Carousels and sliders
Rotate through multiple reviews in a horizontal strip. Works well above the fold when you want motion without a wall of text.
Floating stickers and flyouts
Corner badges that expand into a review panel on tap. Useful on mobile-heavy sites where a full feed would push primary content down.
Compare capabilities on features, or weigh us against other tools in our Elfsight alternative comparison.
Add reviews to common site types
The universal embed is the through-line for every stack. Here's how it lands on the most common kinds of website — with links to focused guides where a platform has its own quirks, so you never have to reverse-engineer them here.
Hand-coded & static sites
Paste the two-line snippet directly into your HTML, a template partial, or a static-site component. Ideal for bespoke builds and framework apps like Laravel, Next.js, or Astro.
Load the script once in your layout, reuse the <div> anywhere.
Website builders
Wix, Squarespace, Webflow, and GoDaddy all provide an embed or custom-HTML element — drop the same snippet in and publish.
On Wix, follow our step-by-step Wix guide.
Online stores
Show verified reviews on product and landing pages to reduce hesitation near the add-to-cart button. Keep it light at checkout — a badge, not a full feed.
For Shopify specifics, see our Shopify install guide.
WordPress
The universal embed works in a Custom HTML block, or you can install the official plugin for a native block and shortcode.
Full walkthrough in our WordPress guide.
On a specific platform?
Follow the focused install guide instead of adapting the generic steps.Why display Google reviews on your website?
Visitors trust peer recommendations more than branded copy. Showing Google reviews on your website closes the gap between discovery (search, ads, referrals) and conversion (calls, bookings, purchases). The benefits:
- Higher conversion — star ratings near a call-to-action reduce hesitation on high-intent pages
- Fresh social proof — automatic sync means your site reflects recent customer feedback, not a stale screenshot
- Brand control — match colours and fonts to your design system, and (on paid plans) filter by minimum stars
- Search-ready markup — paid plans add Review structured data (JSON-LD) so search engines can read your rating and reviews (Google alone decides whether stars ever appear in results, and it's never guaranteed)
Need help connecting the right listing first? Read our guide on how to set your Google location for reviews.
Choosing the right widget for each page
Before you embed, match the widget to the page's intent:
- High-traffic homepage — badge or compact carousel near the primary CTA
- Service detail pages — feed or grid with 4–6 recent reviews
- E-commerce checkout — small badge only; avoid distracting from payment
- Agency client sites — multiple widgets per domain on Business and Agency plans
Compare pricing plans — the free tier includes 8 layouts; paid plans unlock all 13, daily review sync, filters, and Review structured data (JSON-LD).
Troubleshooting a Google reviews widget
The widget area is blank
Confirm both lines are present: the <script> tag and a <div class="grwidget-embed" data-grwidget-key="…"> with a valid key. A missing or mistyped key renders nothing. If your CMS strips <script> tags from the page body, load the script in a header/footer template and keep only the <div> in the content.
The script is blocked
A Content-Security-Policy, aggressive ad blocker, or cookie-consent tool can block third-party scripts. Allow grwidget.com in your CSP script-src, and make sure any consent gate loads the widget after opt-in.
A cached page still shows old markup
If you use a caching layer or CDN, clear it after adding the embed so visitors get the updated HTML. The widget content itself is always fetched live, but your page's cached HTML must include the <div>.
It's showing the wrong business or no rating
Re-open the widget and confirm you selected the correct Google Business Profile in the business search. If you run several locations, our guide to setting your Google location for reviews walks through finding the right Place ID.
The layout is clipped by its container
The widget scales to its parent element. If it's cut off, make sure the containing column isn't set to a fixed height or overflow: hidden, and give it room to grow.
It overflows on mobile
Place the embed inside your normal content container rather than a full-bleed section, and avoid wrapping it in a fixed-width element. Every layout is responsive and will fit the available width.
New reviews aren't updating
Reviews sync on a schedule — weekly on Free, daily on Site, Business, and Agency — so a brand-new Google review appears after the next scheduled sync rather than instantly. In between, the widget keeps showing the last synced reviews.
Plugin or app vs. the universal embed
A platform plugin or app and the universal embed use the same hosted rendering and the same automatic sync — so you can switch between them at any time without rebuilding your widget. Use a platform plugin or app when it saves you steps inside a tool you already use; otherwise the universal embed is the most portable option.
- Use a platform plugin or app if you're on WordPress or Shopify and want native blocks, shortcodes, or theme integration — see the WordPress and Shopify guides.
- Use the universal embed if you want one snippet you can reuse across a hand-coded site, a builder, and a CMS without installing anything extra.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free Google review widget for websites?
Yes. GR Widget has a free plan with 8 core layouts and no credit card required — weekly review sync and unlimited views. Paid plans unlock all 13 layouts, review filters, and Review structured data (JSON-LD) on the Site plan and above. Sync stays weekly on Site and becomes daily on Business and Agency.
Can I add Google reviews to my website without a plugin?
Yes. The universal embed is just an async script tag and a placeholder div, so it works on any website — hand-coded HTML, a website builder, or a framework template — without installing anything. Plugins and apps exist for specific platforms, but they are optional convenience wrappers around the same hosted widget.
Do I need a Google API key to add a Google reviews widget?
No. You search for your business by name in the GR Widget builder and we resolve your Google Place ID and sync reviews on our servers. You never paste a Google API key into your website, and there is no Google sign-in step.
Can I use the same Google review widget on multiple pages?
Yes. Load the script tag once — in your site-wide header or footer template — then drop the widget placeholder div on as many pages as you like. Views are unlimited on both free and paid plans.
Does the Google reviews widget work on mobile?
Yes. Every layout is responsive and scales to its container, so badges, feeds, carousels, and floating stickers render cleanly on phones and tablets. Floating stickers are a good fit for mobile-heavy sites because they show proof without pushing your primary content down the page.
How often do the Google reviews on my website update?
Reviews sync on GRWidget.com, not in your website's code. Free refreshes weekly; Site, Business, and Agency refresh daily. A new Google review appears on your site after the next scheduled sync. In between, the widget keeps showing the last synced reviews.
Can I show Google reviews for multiple locations on one website?
Yes. Create one widget per location — each points at that location's Google Business Profile (Place ID) — then place the matching embed on the matching page. See our guide to setting your Google location for reviews to find the right listing.
Can I choose which Google reviews the widget shows?
Paid plans let you filter by a minimum star rating and cap how many reviews appear, so you can feature your strongest, most recent feedback. The free plan shows your most recent synced reviews. GR Widget never lets you edit or fabricate review text — everything comes straight from Google.
Does Google provide an official review widget for websites?
No. Google offers review links and Google Maps embeds, but not a customisable reviews widget for arbitrary website pages. A third-party tool like GR Widget fills that gap with layouts, filters, automatic sync, and a simple embed code that works on any CMS or hand-coded site.
Ready to add a Google review widget to your website?
Create your free widgetNo credit card · 8 free layouts · Works on any website
Keep going: read the universal embed Google reviews guide, browse the widget examples, or start building in the free widget builder.