You’ve been there before—scrolling through countless reviews, trying to find the perfect product or service that fits your needs. As a consumer, reviews are one of the most important factors when making a decision, and it’s no secret that the majority of people rely on customer reviews to make a purchase. As a business owner, having positive customer reviews can make or break your success.
But how can you encourage customers to leave reviews in the first place? We’ve got the answers you’re looking for. In this article, we’ll cover effective ways and share tips to get your customers to leave reviews and help your business grow.
Why Are Customer Reviews Important?
Even though opening yourself up to feedback can be scary (nobody likes negative feedback) your business needs testimonials. You need a good number of reviews—it’ll strengthen your online presence and convince more people to do business with you. Here are five reasons why customer reviews are so important.
1. Reviews build trust and credibility.
According to a study by Dimensional Research, 90 percent of consumers admitted that positive online reviews influenced their buying decisions. With the abundance of products available online, positive reviews can help differentiate your business from competitors and attract new customers who trust the opinions of their peers.
2. Reviews influence purchase decisions.
Customer reviews can make or break a sale. Positive reviews can persuade potential buyers that a product is worth the investment, while negative reviews can deter customers from buying altogether. Since customers are more likely to take the word of peers over the business itself, positive reviews can be especially persuasive in increasing sales.
3. Reviews provide valuable feedback.
Reviews can provide businesses with invaluable feedback from their customers. This feedback can highlight areas in which the business excels, as well as areas for improvement. Additionally, businesses can use customer feedback to tailor their products and services to better meet customer needs.
4. Reviews boost your SEO.
Customer reviews can impact a website’s search engine optimization (SEO). Positive reviews can increase a website’s visibility and ranking on search engine results pages. Additionally, user-generated content like customer reviews can help increase the quantity and quality of website content, which can also help improve local SEO.
5. Reviews help you identify brand ambassadors.
Loyal customers and happy customers who leave positive reviews can be valuable brand ambassadors for a business. These individuals can be leveraged to promote products, leave additional reviews, and even make referrals to others. Businesses can use customer reviews to identify and engage with their most enthusiastic customers and build long-term relationships with them.
How to Encourage Customers to Write Reviews: 10 Effective Ways
1. Know how to ask customers for reviews.
Asking for reviews can be tricky, but it’s essential to ask at the right moment. For instance, when a customer compliments your service or product, take advantage of the situation and ask if they would be willing to leave a review. You can also follow up with an email, social media message, or SMS, thanking them for their purchase and asking for their feedback. Be polite, personalized, and give clear directions on where and how to leave a review.
2. Use a review generator link.
A review generator link is an easily accessible link that customers can use to leave reviews on various online platforms. It simplifies the review process for customers and eliminates the hassle of having to search for your business on multiple websites. You can include the link in your email signature, website, social media pages, or at the end of a transactional email.
3. Personalize your requests.
Studies show that personalized requests have a higher chance of being fulfilled than generic requests. When asking for reviews, use the customer’s name, mention their recent purchase or experience, and thank them for their loyalty. Making customers feel valued and appreciated increases their willingness to leave a review.
4. Consider the timing.
The timing of your request is critical. Ideally, you should ask for a review when the customer is most satisfied with their experience. For instance, if you own a restaurant, the best time to ask for a review is after the food has been served, and the customer has finished the meal. On the other hand, if you sell products, wait until the customer has had time to use it before asking for feedback.
5. Explain why reviews are important for you and your customers.
Customers are more likely to leave a review if they understand the value of their feedback. You can explain how reviews help you improve your business, offer better products or services, and provide an excellent customer experience. Additionally, reviews help potential customers make informed decisions, and they may also contribute to the local community or economy.
6. Offer incentives.
One of the most effective ways to get your customers to leave a review is by offering them incentives. For example, you could offer a discount on their next purchase or entered them into a drawing to win a prize. This win-win situation can motivate your customers to leave honest reviews while incentivizing them with a reward. Just be sure you incentivize for honest reviews, not strictly positive ones, as this can violate review platform policies and is generally frowned upon.
7. Respond to reviews.
Responding to reviews is a vital step in building a relationship with your customers. When customers see that you’re taking the time to engage with them, they feel valued and appreciated. Even if the review is negative, responding professionally can show that you care about their experience and that you’re taking steps to improve.
8. Automate the process.
Automation is a powerful tool that can save you time and encourage your customers to leave reviews. With automation tools, you can send a follow-up email to customers after they’ve made a purchase or visited your store. This email can include a prompt to leave a review and make it easy for customers to share their feedback.
9. Follow up.
Following up with your customers is an essential step in building relationships and gathering feedback. You can send a personalized email or phone call to thank your customers for their purchase and ask them to leave a review on your website or social media pages. This follow-up can help ensure that your customers stay engaged with your business and feel appreciated.
10. Take advantage of text.
Think of text messages as the ace up your sleeve. Text has the highest open rate of any channel (98%) which means your review request is highly likely to be seen if you send it via this channel. Furthermore, leaving a review on your mobile device is quick and convenient. By making it as convenient as possible for your customers to leave you reviews, you’ll see a natural influx of reviews and a boost to your online presence.
Positive Customer Reviews Examples
So what makes a review great? First and foremost, a great review is specific. A great review should highlight specific product features or elements of the customer service experience that stood out. This helps other potential customers understand what they can expect from the product or service.
Second, a great review is honest. This means that the customer is truthful about their experience, both the good and the bad. It’s great to hear about positive experiences, but it’s also helpful to hear about areas of improvement or things that may not have gone perfectly.
Third, a great review is well-written and easy to understand. It should be clear and concise, with good grammar and punctuation. Customers who take the time to write thoughtful reviews demonstrate a level of attention to detail that is often appreciated by both the company and other customers.
Here are some examples of great reviews in the wild.
Example #1
This 5-star review from Karen highlights the great customer service Mattress City provided and speaks to potential pain points that prospective customers might care about (a no-pressure sales approach and quick delivery time). All in all, this is the kind of glowing review any business would be lucky to receive.
Example #2
This review from Susan explains that the entire process—from start to finish—was great. People want to do business with companies that care about every step of their journey, so this will be a huge green flag for potential customers.
Example #3
This is a great example of a review that provides solid social proof from a long-time customer. Potential customers who see this review will gain confidence in Schoonover Bodyworks’ ability to provide consistently excellent service.
5 Review Sites Businesses Should Keep an Eye On
97% of consumers report that they read reviews regularly before they choose to work with or purchase from a business. But as we’re sure you’ve noticed, there are a lot of review platforms out there. It can be difficult to know which ones your business should prioritize. And to be truthful, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to it. Different review platforms will be more impactful for different businesses. That being said, let’s take a look at a few of the big players.
1. Google
Google Reviews is by far the most popular customer review platform, with over two-thirds of respondents trusting this platform for their online reviews, according to a recent study. If a business hasn’t claimed its Google My Business profile, it should do so immediately. Not only will this give the business control over its appearance on Google Maps and Search results, but it will also allow the company to respond to customer reviews and gain valuable insights.
2. Facebook
For businesses with an active Facebook presence, Facebook Reviews should be a top priority. Nearly half of all Facebook users check reviews before visiting a business, according to a recent study. Businesses should encourage their customers to leave feedback on their Facebook page and respond to any negative reviews right away.
3. Yelp
Yelp has been a popular review site for years, with millions of users leaving reviews for local businesses. As with other review platforms, businesses can claim their Yelp page, respond to reviews (both positive and negative), and add photos and other details to their profile to improve their online presence.
4. Better Business Bureau
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is an independent organization that aims to improve marketplace trust. It provides customers with the ability to show their views on the dealings and interactions with businesses. BBB prides itself on having some of the strictest guidelines for reviews, ensuring that only legitimate reviews are posted. Since the platform has a strong reputation for unbiased reviews, it is essential for businesses to monitor their BBB reviews.
5. Angi (formerly Angie’s List)
Angi is a membership-based review platform that specializes in home services. While not as well-known as some of the other sites on this list, Angi is an essential platform for contractors and service-based businesses. With over 10 million users, businesses can leverage this platform to showcase their services and gain valuable leads.
Get More Customer Reviews and Boost Revenue
You get the point—customer reviews are crucial for a thriving small business. Getting those reviews, however, can be a challenge. This is where Podium comes in.
Podium has helped thousands of businesses like yours get positive reviews, improve their local ranking and grow. With Podium, you can send review invites via text message, making it simple and quick for customers to leave their feedback. This results in a higher response rate and allows you to build a 5-star presence—quickly.
Podium’s platform also makes it easy to manage review requests and respond to those reviews once they start rolling in. This saves you time and provides a better experience for your customers.
Want to give it a try? Start a free trial today.
FAQs
1. How do you encourage customers to give feedback?
Firstly, it is important to create a customer-centric experience and provide excellent service. If customers are satisfied, they are more likely to leave a review. You can also send follow-up emails or text messages thanking them for their business and asking for their feedback. Offering an incentive such as a discount on their next purchase can also motivate customers to leave a review.
2. Can you ask customers to leave a Google review?
Yes, you can ask your customers to leave a Google review as long as you do not offer any incentives for leaving a positive review. Google’s review policy strictly prohibits the exchange of incentives for reviews. You can provide your customers with a direct link to leave a review on your Google My Business (GMB) page via email or text message.
3. How do you get people to leave a 5-star review?
It is important not to force or manipulate customers into leaving a 5-star review as this can negatively impact your online reputation. The best way to get a 5-star rating is to provide exceptional service and a seamless experience. Additionally, responding to reviews-both positive and negative – shows that you care about your customers’ feedback and can improve your overall reputation. Encouraging customers to leave constructive feedback on areas that need improvement will also help to improve your business in the long run.
