Last Updated on August 20, 2024 by Allen

Asking for Customer Reviews

You offer a great service. Your products are flying off the shelves and business is good. If only customers would show their appreciation by telling everyone how great you are with customer reviews.

But it just doesn’t work that way. You can’t ask for online customer reviews in exchange for kickbacks, like a free product or service, either. It’s unethical, and the FTC discourages it, too.

So, how do you ask for customer reviews without sounding desperate? In this post, we will tell you how to turn a customer into an online advocate.

Use the Right Tools

Customers usually use a product a day or a week after the purchase. And when they do, you aren’t there to ask them to share their experience online.

So, what can you do to encourage them to leave good customer reviews? Provided that you have your customer’s contact information, here are a few great tools you can use:

• Review Websites: Consider having a profile on review websites, like Yelp or TripAdvisor, that are relevant to your business. To encourage people to leave customer reviews, direct them to these websites. To make it convenient for customers, you can place a Yelp badge on your website that links to your business profile on Yelp.
• Text: If you communicate with customers via text messages, add a request for customer reviews at the end. A request can go something like, “Would you mind leaving a review on our website?”
• Email: If your customers subscribe to your emails (like monthly newsletters), add a request at the bottom with a link that directs them to your own website. The link can also direct them to a relevant review website on which your business is listed.

Time Your Request

No one likes receiving texts in the middle of the night or during their work hours. Your message will simply be ignored and won’t have any impact. Additionally, you don’t want to be that company that constantly begs customers for feedback.

To keep things comfortable, time your requests. On that note, you can ask for customer reviews:

• In the middle of the week: Research suggests that responses to review requests go up by 10% in the middle of the week
• Right after a product is purchased: Customers might not have used the product, but they might leave a positive review about the customer service.

Just Ask Straight Out

Finally, there is no shame in asking customers to review your business, especially after you have worked so hard to ensure their experience is a good one. Studies show that 70% of consumers will leave customer reviews when asked.

You just need to know how to approach them. For example, you can make your responses specific by calling customers by name in your review requests. This shows that you care about them personally enough to do so.

Don’t Knock Customer ReviewsUntil You Have Tried Them

Each review posted about your business is a chance to advertise your product or service for free. But you have to work to get these customer reviews. To increase your chances, make sure that you time your requests and use the right tools. And remember; though the easiest way to get a response is to just ask for it, don’t overdo your requests either.

Conclusion: The Power of Online Reviews in Reputation Management

Online reviews have become a cornerstone of effective reputation management in today’s digital marketplace. They serve as a powerful tool for visibility, credibility, and customer insights, while also boosting search engine rankings and building trust with potential customers. By embracing and effectively managing online reviews, businesses aren’t just maintaining their reputation – they’re actively shaping it and paving the way for growth.

Remember, while you can’t buy or incentivize reviews, you can encourage them through timely requests and by making the review process easy for your customers. Every review, whether positive or negative, is an opportunity to learn, improve, and showcase your commitment to customer satisfaction. In this review-centric world, your online reviews aren’t just comments – they’re the voice of your brand in the digital landscape. Embrace them, learn from them, and let them drive your business forward.