"Great service! The team went above and beyond to make sure everything was perfect."
"I love the quality of their products! Will definitely be coming back."
"Fast, friendly, and professional—highly recommended!"
Ever read reviews like these and thought, I wish my business had more of those?
Customer reviews are the modern-day word of mouth. Reviews help potential clients trust you, improve your search engine ranking, and even give you valuable feedback to grow.
But how do you actually get those reviews? Our simple guides can help you to get more customer reviews, check it out below!
Why Are Reviews Important?
Before learning into the "how," let’s understand the "why."
Reviews help to:
- Build credibility and trust.
- Influence purchasing decisions (think of the last time you chose a product based on a 5-star rating).
- Improve your website’s SEO, making it easier for others to find your business.
- Provide valuable insights about what you're doing well and what you can improve.
Now that we’re on the same page, let’s get started!
Learn more about Search Engine Optimization at our Academy Marketing!
Step 1: Create a Place for Reviews
Your website needs a clear and easy-to-find review section. Here's how to set it up:
- Add a Dedicated Review Page: Create a separate page titled "Customer Reviews", "Leave a Review.", or “What Our Customers Say” is a great start.
- Include a Review Widget: If you're using platforms like WordPress, plugins like WPForms or Jetpack Reviews make it simple. For other platforms, integrate Google or Yelp review links.
- Make It Mobile-Friendly: Many people leave reviews on their phones, so make sure it’s smooth and simple to use!
Step 2: Ask Your Customers
It may feel awkward at first, but most customers are happy to leave a review if you just ask. The trick is to make your request personal, polite, and well-timed.
- Ask In-Person (if applicable): If you run a physical store or offer face-to-face services, a simple “We’d love to hear your feedback!” at the end of their visit can go a long way.
- Send a Follow-Up Email: After completing a sale or service, send a thank-you email with a direct link to your review page.
- Use Social Media: A quick post like, “Loved working with you! Please share your experience [link to review page]” is a casual way to nudge them.
Step 3: Make It Easy and Convenient
People are busy, so keep the review process simple:
- Provide a Clear Call-to-Action (CTA): Use a button or link that says, “Leave a Review” to grab attention.
- Ask Specific Questions: Instead of an open-ended “Write a review,” guide them with prompts like:
- What did you enjoy most about our service?
- Would you recommend us to a friend?
- How would you describe our service to a friend?
- Offer Multiple Options: Some customers prefer Google Reviews, others might like to review directly on your website or a platform like Yelp. Give them option!
- Keep It Quick: The fewer clicks, the better. A one-step form or direct link would be the best.
Step 4: Incentivize Without Bribing
Offering rewards can motivate customers to review, but tread carefully—most review platforms prohibit direct incentives like discounts or freebies in exchange for positive reviews. Instead:
- Host a Giveaway: “Leave a review to enter our monthly prize draw!”. This feels fair and fun.
- Show Appreciation: Publicly thank reviewers in emails or on social media (with their permission).
- Celebrate Reviewers: Share customer reviews on your social media (with their permission, of course).
Step 5: Respond to Reviews
Responding to reviews, both positive and negative, shows you care.
- For Positive Reviews: Respond with genuine gratitude.
- “Thanks so much for your kind words, [Name]! We’re so glad you enjoyed your experience.”
- “Thank you for your kind words!”
- “We’re thrilled you enjoyed your experience”
- For Negative Reviews: Stay calm, acknowledge the issue, offer a solution, and show you care about making things right. A professional response can turn a bad situation into a chance to shine.
Example on how to respond to negative review,
Customer’s Review:
"I was really disappointed with my experience. The product arrived late, and when it finally got here, it wasn’t what I expected. I reached out to customer service, but I didn’t get a helpful response."
Your Response:
Hi [Customer’s Name],
Thank you for sharing your feedback with us. I’m truly sorry to hear about your experience—this isn’t the standard of service we aim to provide, and I understand how disappointing it must have been to face delays and challenges with customer support. (Acknowledge the issue)
We take issues like this very seriously and want to make things right. I’ve shared your concerns with our team, and we’re already reviewing your case to understand what went wrong. To resolve this as quickly as possible, could you please reach out to us at [your email] or call us at [phone number]? (Take responsibility and offer a solution)
Your experience matters greatly to us, and we’re committed to learning from this to ensure it doesn’t happen again. Thank you for bringing this to our attention and giving us a chance to improve. (Show care)
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Customer Support
Step 6: Monitor and Share Reviews
Once you start gathering reviews, make them work for you:
- Feature Them on Your Homepage: Display glowing testimonials to your homepage or product pages.
- Share on Social Media: Use customer reviews as content for Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn posts (ask for permission first). Use them to build trust with your audience.
- Use Snippets for Ads: A great review can make for an amazing tagline in your next campaign.
- Track Feedback Trends: If multiple reviews mention a specific issue, address it to improve your service.
Step 7: Keep the Momentum Going
Getting reviews isn’t a one-time effort. Make it a regular part of your business strategy.
- Set a Monthly Goal: Aim to collect a certain number of reviews each month.
- Train Your Team: Ensure everyone on your team knows how to encourage reviews.
- Celebrate Milestones: Hit 100 reviews? Share the achievement with your audience and thank your loyal customers publicly!
Bottom Line
The next time you are asking for a user review, remember to ask for feedback politely, make the process easy, and value every customer’s opinion.
With time, those glowing reviews will become your weapon to attract more customers and grow your business.
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