Boost Your Ecommerce Success by Encouraging Customer Reviews

Almost 95% of customers rely on reviews to learn more about products before making a decision. Trust, after all, is built through the shared experiences of other shoppers, which makes reviews as influential as personal recommendations.

However, for ecommerce businesses, finding new ways to gather these invaluable reviews can be a challenge. Here’s why encouraging customers to leave reviews is crucial and how you can make it a core part of your strategy.

Why Customer Reviews Matter

Customer reviews don't just add credibility—they can drive sales. Shoppers trust the experiences of others, and a high volume of reviews, even if mixed, often speaks louder than a handful of perfect ratings. Research shows that 85% of customers view online reviews as trustworthy as personal referrals, making them a powerful tool for businesses.

Reviews not only help customers make informed decisions, but they also improve your website's organic traffic and increase conversions. Recent reviews especially carry more weight, as they are perceived as more relevant and accurate. Therefore, maintaining a steady stream of reviews is essential for long-term success.

Encouraging Customers to Write Reviews

Most customers are happy to share their feedback when asked. In fact, 70% of consumers are willing to leave reviews when prompted. Here’s how you can encourage them effectively:

Ask Through Multiple Channels Use a variety of channels to request reviews—email, SMS, your website's homepage, and social media. Each customer is unique, so offering multiple avenues for feedback is key.

Email: Send follow-up emails with a direct call to action, thanking customers for their purchase and inviting them to leave a review. Including a link to the product page simplifies the process.

SMS Texts: If you collect phone numbers, use automated SMS to ask for reviews. Customers are more likely to open texts quickly, making this a timely way to engage them.

Website: Add calls to action on product pages and in order histories, making it easy for customers to leave reviews right after their shopping journey.

Utilize Social Media Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are excellent for gathering reviews. You can create posts that directly ask customers for their feedback, or you can highlight positive reviews from past buyers to inspire others.

Simplify the Process The easier it is to leave a review, the more likely customers will follow through. Use simple five-star rating systems and allow customers to review multiple products in one form.

Offer Rewards and Incentives Running sweepstakes or offering small rewards, like discounts or free samples, can encourage more reviews. Product sampling campaigns, in particular, can generate reviews for new products or refresh existing ones.

Respond to All Feedback

Whether reviews are positive or negative, responding to feedback shows customers that you care about their experience. Acknowledging reviews—both good and bad—demonstrates your commitment to improving and maintaining trust.

Final Thoughts

Encouraging customer reviews may take effort, but the rewards are well worth it. Not only do reviews boost sales, but they also set you apart from competitors by showing that you value your customers’ feedback. Make reviews an integral part of your ecommerce strategy and watch your business grow.