Today’s eCommerce customers want to know almost everything about a product before making a purchase. Having more reviews makes it easier for them to set realistic expectations.
According to our Reviews Consumer Survey, 85% of shoppers are more likely to buy products with at least 50 reviews. Why? Reading multiple reviews helps them better assess whether the product meets their needs.
To boost the number of reviews, it’s important to understand the value of incentivized reviews.
In this article, you’ll discover more about incentivized reviews and 5 Best Practices for Creating Genuine Incentivized Reviews.
What is An Incentivized Review?
An incentivized review is a product review written by a customer who receives compensation, such as a discount, free product, or other rewards for their feedback. While the incentive is offered to encourage more reviews, the review must remain honest and transparent, reflecting the customer’s true experience with the product.
Incentivized reviews can help brands gather more feedback quickly and boost the number of reviews on new or under-reviewed products. However, regulations require that companies disclose when a review is incentivized. This ensures that potential buyers understand the context of the evaluation and can make informed decisions.
Living Spaces gives customers the opportunity to earn a $500 promotional card by sharing photos of their furniture and decor.
Why is Incentivized Review Important?
Incentivized reviews play a crucial role in enhancing customer engagement and driving sales. Here are some reasons:
- Increase Review Volume: Incentives encourage more customers to leave reviews, which is vital for new or less popular products. According to a study by BrightLocal, 91% of consumers read online reviews regularly, and products with at least 50 reviews are viewed as more credible. This increased volume helps potential buyers make informed decisions.
- Enhance Product Credibility: Having a higher number of reviews can boost a product’s credibility. Research from Spiegel Research Center indicates that the likelihood of a purchase increases by 270% when a product has five reviews compared to none. Incentivized reviews help achieve this threshold more quickly.
- Improve Customer Trust: When customers see a wide range of reviews, they feel more confident in their purchasing decisions. Podium found that 93% of consumers say online reviews influence their buying decisions, highlighting the need for businesses to showcase authentic customer experiences, even when incentivized.
- Valuable Feedback: Incentivized reviews provide businesses with valuable insights into customer preferences and experiences. This feedback can inform product improvements, marketing strategies, and customer service enhancements.
- Boost Brand Loyalty: When customers engage with brands through reviews and receive incentives, they feel more connected and valued. This can lead to repeat purchases; a report from Harvard Business Review found that a 5% increase in customer retention can increase profits by 25% to 95%.
Incentivized reviews not only help gather essential customer feedback but also enhance product credibility, foster trust, and drive sales, ultimately benefiting both the business and its customers.
Types of Incentives for Reviews
1. Discounts and Coupons
Offering discounts on future purchases is a popular incentive. Customers appreciate saving money on their next buy, which encourages them to leave a review. This can be a percentage off their next order or a fixed amount, and it creates a direct benefit for their feedback.
2. Loyalty Points
Implementing a loyalty program that rewards customers with points for leaving reviews can be effective. These points can be redeemed for discounts, exclusive products, or other rewards, fostering a long-term relationship while encouraging regular feedback.
3. Free Products or Samples
Giving away free products or samples in exchange for a review can entice customers. This approach not only allows them to try more of your offerings but also motivates them to share their thoughts based on firsthand experience.
4. Entry into Contests or Giveaways
Running contests where customers can enter by submitting a review is an engaging way to incentivize feedback. The chance to win prizes—such as gift cards, popular products, or experiences—can significantly increase participation and generate excitement around your brand.
5. Exclusive Access
Providing exclusive access to new products, services, or events as an incentive can attract customers. This makes them feel valued and part of a select group, encouraging them to share their opinions and experiences with your brand.
5 Best Practices for Creating Genuine Incentivized Reviews
Creating genuine incentivized reviews is crucial for maintaining credibility while encouraging customer feedback. Here are five best practices to ensure that your approach is effective and trustworthy:
1. Offer Incentives that Enhance Customer Experience
Instead of generic discounts or rewards, consider incentives that genuinely enhance the customer’s experience. This could include exclusive access to new products, loyalty points, or entry into a giveaway. Ensure the incentives align with your brand values and add real value to the customer, fostering a sense of appreciation and connection.
2. Be Transparent About Incentives
Clearly communicate the nature of the incentive and how it relates to the review process. Customers should know that they will receive a reward for their feedback. Transparency helps build trust and ensures customers understand that their honest opinions are valued, not just those that are overly positive.
3. Encourage Authentic Feedback
Ask for honest feedback regardless of whether it is positive or negative. Frame your request by highlighting the importance of their genuine experience to your business. This can help ensure that reviews reflect true customer sentiments, enhancing the credibility of your reviews and demonstrating that you value constructive criticism.
4. Utilize a Variety of Review Platforms
Trustify app encourages reviews across multiple platforms from Amazon, AliExpress, Google, Etsy, Facebook, and CSV that diversify feedback sources. This approach not only increases the chances of receiving genuine reviews but also helps you gather a more comprehensive understanding of customer perceptions. Ensure that your incentive structure is adaptable to different platforms, promoting honest and diverse feedback.
5. Respond to Reviews to Foster Engagement
Actively engage with reviewers by responding to their feedback, whether it’s positive or negative. Acknowledging their input shows that you value their opinions and are committed to improving your products and services. This practice encourages more customers to share their experiences, knowing their voices are heard and appreciated, ultimately leading to a more trustworthy review ecosystem.
By following these best practices, you can effectively encourage genuine incentivized reviews that bolster your brand’s credibility and foster a loyal customer base.
Mistakes to Avoid when Incentivizing Reviews
If you plan to use incentives to encourage more reviews, be mindful of these potential pitfalls:
1. Offering Incentives for Only Positive Reviews
Never request or incentivize only positive reviews. This can appear dishonest and damage your brand’s credibility. Encourage honest feedback instead, whether it’s good or bad, to maintain trust with your customers and foster genuine engagement.
2. Failing to Disclose Incentives
Lack of transparency about incentives can lead to ethical issues. Always inform customers that their review is incentivized. Being upfront ensures compliance with legal guidelines and avoids misleading future customers.
3. Making the Incentive Too Generous
Overly generous incentives can make the review process feel transactional, leading to biased feedback. Stick to modest rewards that enhance the customer experience without overshadowing the review’s authenticity.
4. Ignoring Negative Reviews
Only responding to positive reviews undermines your effort to build trust. Be sure to acknowledge all feedback, including negative reviews. This demonstrates your commitment to improvement and customer satisfaction.
5. Offering Complex or Unclear Incentives
Incentives that are difficult to understand or redeem can frustrate customers. Ensure your offer is simple, straightforward, and easy to claim, so customers feel appreciated rather than confused or burdened.
By avoiding these mistakes, you can maintain ethical practices and build a genuine, trustworthy review system for your business.
Leverage Trustify to send emails encouraging customers to submit incentivized reviews effectively
Method 1: Directing Customers to the Product Page
In this approach, craft an email that invites customers to leave their feedback directly on the product page. Start with a warm greeting and a thank you for their purchase. Clearly explain the importance of their review and how it helps improve your products and services. Include a direct link to the product page, making it easy for them to share their thoughts. Highlight the incentive they will receive upon submitting their review, ensuring it’s enticing and clear.
Method 2: Linking to Feedback Platforms
Begin by expressing gratitude for their recent purchase and mention how their insights can influence other customers. Provide clear instructions on how to leave a review on the designated platform, including the incentive they’ll receive for their participation. Include direct links to each review platform for easy access, ensuring that the process is straightforward and user-friendly.
Through Trustify‘s features, you can streamline the review submission process and boost the number of incentivized reviews you receive.
WRAP UP
Incentivized reviews can be a valuable tool for businesses to gather feedback and improve their products or services. By offering incentives, companies can encourage customers to share their experiences and help others make informed purchasing decisions. However, it’s important to ensure that incentives are transparent and don’t influence the authenticity of reviews.