Mastering the tactics of asking for customer reviews is essential for any business. Reviews play a vital role in attracting new customers and persuading them to buy your products or services.
Positive reviews can greatly enhance your online reputation, give you a competitive advantage, and drive up your sales. However, the secret to obtaining this valuable feedback lies in effectively asking customers for reviews.
A BrightLocal study showed that 76% of those who are asked to leave reviews go on to do so. Are you prepared to discover 8 Successful Tactics to Ask for Review?
Why should you ask for reviews from customers?
The core issue is that potential customers trust the opinions of others about your business more than your claims, which is understandable when you consider it from a buyer’s perspective.
A staggering 84% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations and even a single positive comment can sway customers to choose your business over a competitor.
Additionally, the advantages of customer reviews aren’t limited to eCommerce. 90% of consumers read online reviews before visiting a business. Moreover, user-generated content, such as review signals, can significantly enhance your Google search rankings.
Take a look at these astonishing statistics that highlight the significance of reviews:
- Consumers are likely to spend 31% more on products/services from businesses that have excellent reviews
- 86% of consumers read reviews for local businesses (including 95% of people aged 18-34)
- With every star that a business gets, chances are that a business’s revenue will increase by anywhere between 5%-9%.
According to BrightLocal, the percentage of consumers ‘always’ or ‘regularly’ reading online reviews has held fast over the last three years (75% in 2024 against 76% in 2023).
Meanwhile, just 3% of consumers say they ‘never’ read online reviews, reflecting how ingrained reviews are in most consumers’ business research.
How to ask customers for reviews?
Asking customers for reviews can be done effectively through various approaches. Here are some tactics to help you ask for reviews from your customers:
- Request in-person reviews
- Request reviews over the phone
- Request reviews via text message
- Request reviews from the supplier
- Request reviews on your website
- Ask in a social media post
- Request reviews after purchase
- Request reviews through thank you pages
Request in-person reviews:
Requesting in-person reviews can be a great way to gather authentic feedback and enhance your business’s reputation. Here are three ideas to request in-person reviews:
Respond to customer compliments:
The simplest situation is when a customer comes to you with compliments on their own. In this case, thank them for their feedback, and then ask for a review. For example:
Customer: [giving compliments]
You: That’s so wonderful to hear. We work hard to [do what you’re being praised for]. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Customer: Absolutely, thank you for such great service!
You: If you could write what you just said in a review on [platform], that would be amazing. Comments like yours help new customers trust us more.
Review Invitation Cards
Create small, professionally designed cards that you can hand out to customers. These cards should politely request a review and provide clear instructions on where and how to leave their feedback. For example:
“Thank you for visiting us today! We hope you had a great experience. Please share your thoughts with us by leaving a review. Visit [Your Review Platform] or scan the QR code.“
Incentivized Review Programs
Offer a small incentive, such as a discount on their next purchase or a free item, in exchange for a review. Ensure the incentive is for leaving a review, not just a positive one, to maintain authenticity. For instance:
“Enjoy a 10% discount on your next visit! Simply share your experience with us by leaving a review. Show this card to our staff after you’ve posted your feedback to redeem your discount.“
By incorporating these approaches, you can encourage customers to provide valuable in-person reviews, enhancing your business’s credibility and attracting new patrons.
Ask for reviews over the phone
When requesting reviews over the phone, it’s important to express gratitude for the client’s patronage, highlight the significance of their feedback in improving services, and politely ask if they would consider sharing their experience to assist others in making informed decisions, all while maintaining a friendly and professional attitude.
Example:
You: “Hello, [Client’s Name], I hope you’re doing well. I just wanted to reach out to thank you for choosing our service and for the opportunity to assist you recently. Your feedback is incredibly valuable to us as we strive to improve and provide the best possible service to our clients. Would you be willing to share your experience by leaving a review? It means a lot to us and would greatly assist others in making informed decisions about our services.“
Request reviews via text message
It is a convenient way to solicit feedback from your clients.
“Hi [Client’s Name], we hope you enjoyed your recent experience with us! Your feedback is important to us and helps us improve. Would you mind taking a moment to leave a review? Just click the link [insert review platform link] and share your thoughts. Thank you!“
This message is brief, polite, and includes a direct request along with a link to make leaving a review as easy as possible for the client.
Request reviews from the supplier
When requesting reviews from suppliers, it’s important to maintain a professional and respectful tone while highlighting the benefits of their feedback.
“Hello [Supplier’s Name],
We greatly value our partnership with you and the exceptional products/services you provide. Your feedback is crucial to us as we continuously strive to improve our processes. Could you please take a moment to share your experience working with us by leaving a review? Your insights will help us better serve you and other clients in the future.
Thank you for your cooperation and continued support.
Best regards,
[Your Name]”
This message expresses appreciation for the supplier’s partnership, emphasizes the importance of their feedback, and politely requests a review without being overly demanding.
Request reviews on your website
Making the review process seamless and accessible for your customers, while also expressing gratitude for their time and input, is essential for gathering reviews on your website.
Visible Call-to-Action (CTA): Place a prominent and inviting CTA on your website inviting visitors to leave a review like “Give us a review”. Make it easy to find and click, using compelling language that encourages action.
Feedback Forms: Incorporate a feedback form directly on your website where customers can easily submit reviews. Keep the form simple and user-friendly, asking for essential information like their name, email, rating, and comments. To create an appropriate review page, you can refer to Trustify which is designed to assist you in creating a single page that highlights all customer experiences.
By implementing these tips, you can effectively encourage customers to leave reviews on your website, helping to build social proof and attract more visitors.
Ask in a social media post
You can politely ask for reviews while engaging your audience. Here’s a great example from Manpower Alberta:
Request reviews after purchase
Requesting reviews after purchase is an effective way to gather feedback while the experience is fresh in the customer’s mind—several approaches to create requirements for best reviews.
Timely Email Follow-Up: Send a personalized email after the purchase thanking the customer for their order and kindly requesting their feedback ( include a direct link to your review platform ). You can use Trustify which creates review reminder emails sent to customers after they place an order and the order is completed.
Incentivized Review Program: Implement a rewards system where customers earn points, discounts, or freebies for leaving reviews. Ensure the incentive is appealing enough to encourage participation without seeming like you’re buying positive feedback.
Learn More: 8 Review Request Email Examples and Copy/Paste Templates
Request reviews through Thank you page
This way is an effective selection to capture customer feedback while they’re still engaged with your brand. How to do it:
Express Gratitude: Start by expressing your sincere gratitude for the customer’s purchase or interaction with your website. Let them know how much their support means to you.
Request Feedback: Politely ask customers to share their experience by leaving a review. Emphasize the value of their feedback in helping you improve your products or services.
Provide Easy Instructions: Make it possible for the customer to leave a review by providing clear instructions and a direct link to your review platform or feedback form.
What not to do when asking for reviews?
When asking for reviews, it’s important to approach the process with tact and consideration for your customers’ experiences. Don’t implement the following actions?
Being Too Pushy: Avoid pressuring or bombarding customers with repeated requests for reviews. Respect their time and preferences by making the request politely and offering them the choice to provide feedback.
Offering Incentives for Positive Reviews: It’s unethical and potentially illegal to incentivize customers to leave positive reviews. Avoid offering rewards or discounts contingent on leaving a favorable review, as this can compromise the authenticity and integrity of your review system.
Ignoring Negative Feedback: Every review, positive or negative, is an opportunity to learn and improve. Avoid dismissing or ignoring negative feedback. Instead, use it as constructive criticism to identify areas for improvement and address any customer concerns.
Overlooking Timing: Be mindful of when you ask for reviews. Avoid requesting feedback at inappropriate times, such as immediately after a negative customer experience or during sensitive situations. Timing is key to ensuring that your request is well-received.
Making the Process Complicated: Keep the review process simple and user-friendly. Avoid requiring customers to jump through hoops or navigate complex forms to leave a review. Make it as easy as possible for them to share their feedback.
Using Deceptive Tactics: Avoid using deceptive or misleading tactics to solicit reviews, such as creating fake accounts or posting fabricated testimonials. Transparency and honesty are crucial for building trust with your customers.
WRAP UP
To ask for a review effectively, ensure your approach is polite, appreciative, and straightforward. Start by expressing gratitude for their business, then kindly request feedback, emphasizing its importance in improving your products/services. Next, provide clear instructions on how they can leave a review, whether it’s through a specific platform, email, or on your website. Especially, avoid being pushy or offering incentives for positive reviews, as authenticity is paramount. Finally, thank them for their time and consideration, fostering a positive relationship while encouraging honest feedback that benefits both your business and future customers.
Learn More: How to Get Amazon Reviews: 6 Commonly Used Methods in 2024