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A business reference is a recommendation provided on behalf of a client, vendor, or other business associate or contact. You may be asked to provide a business reference letter to verify the quality of a contract company’s work to a new client.
The reference you write may recommend the business to other clients or, in general, provide an endorsement of a contact for business purposes. It’s important to be honest in your assessment of the company’s offerings: Don’t agree to write one if you haven’t had a good experience with the company. Instead, gracefully decline to provide a reference if you don’t feel that you can provide a strong recommendation.
A reference letter can be sent via post or email and should maintain a professional appearance, tone, and formatting. Use standard business letter format when you’re writing a reference.
Your recommendation needs to be professionally written and formatted to ensure it will make the best impression.
A business reference letter should begin with an appropriate salutation, end with a professional close, and include the following:
In a printed letter, the writer’s contact information is at the top of the page. In an email, the contact information is at the bottom. The recipient's contact information can be omitted from an emailed letter.
Start your letter by explaining how you know the individual or company that you’re recommending. If you’ve used them repeatedly or have an ongoing relationship, mention that as well.
The body of your letter should provide information and detailed examples of the high quality of the product or service you have been provided.
Be specific so you can show the reader why you are recommending the product or service.
You should also mention how pleased you were with the work and offer to elaborate on or clarify any points in the letter.
Include your contact information in the final paragraph of a letter or your email signature, so it’s easy for the recipient to follow up if they need more information.
End your letter with a professional closing and your signature:
The following are examples of business reference letters recommending the services provided by a company or individual. They can be used to help you create your own letters, but be sure to tailor them to your specific situation.
Download the letter template (compatible with Google Docs and Word), or read the text version below.
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Jason Lee
123 Business Rd.
Business City, NY 54321
555-555-5555
jason.lee@email.com
James Smith
Sparkleshine Cleaning Service
321 Business Ave.
Business City, NY 54321
It is with much enthusiasm that I am writing to recommend the services of the Sparkleshine Cleaning Service.
I have been using Sparkleshine to clean my offices for the past five years and have always been completely satisfied with their performance. They do an excellent job, are always punctual, and offer the most competitive rates in town.
We have also hired them on occasion for extra jobs, such as cleaning after a move, cleaning the Venetian blinds, deep cleaning the kitchenette, etc. They have been very reasonably priced, and always do exactly what we ask of them.
I'm happy to recommend the services of Sparkleshine. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Signature (printed letter)
The following are examples of business references sent via email.
Subject: Stephen Davison Reference
Dear Ms. O’Malley,
I have been acquainted with Stephen Davison for three years in his capacity as a web designer for my small business. He completely overhauled my website and has been responsible for its ongoing maintenance and search engine optimization as well.
Stephen’s design and optimization, I believe, are largely responsible for the dramatic increase in traffic to my site, and for the resulting increase in profits for the business. He is easy to work with, thinks creatively, and effectively communicates his ideas. He has been a true game-changer in identifying and enhancing the areas of my website that weren’t performing as well as they could have, and thus he has my highest endorsement.
If you have any additional questions or need clarification, please feel free to contact me.
Subject: Reference for Kip’s Kennels
As a dedicated pet owner, I searched long and hard for a kennel where I felt comfortable leaving my precious companions. After doing plenty of research, and visiting several other kennels in the area, I found Kip’s Kennels about two years ago. My pets haven’t been boarded anywhere else since.
The staff at Kip’s is knowledgeable, courteous, and friendly. They truly care about every pet as they do their own, and the facility is always spotless. Unlike most of the kennels in our area, they also offer daily updates via email or text to reassure you while you are separated from your pet.
I highly recommend Kip’s Kennels to care for your pets while you are out of town. If you have any further questions or would like to speak with me about my experience, please feel free to contact me.
Review more examples of reference letters for a variety of circumstances and get free templates to download.
