4 Tips and Tricks to Ask for Reviews and Testimonials
4 Tips and Tricks for Asking for Reviews and Testimonials
Reviews and testimonials are essential for building credibility and trust with potential customers. Whether you’re a small business owner, agency, or e-commerce seller, gathering positive feedback can significantly impact your reputation and bottom line. However, asking for reviews can feel awkward if not approached correctly. Here are four tips and tricks to effectively request reviews and testimonials.
Choose the Right Timing
Why It Matters:
Timing plays a crucial role in getting reviews. Asking too soon may catch customers before they’ve experienced the full value of your product or service, while asking too late may mean they’ve already forgotten about you.
Tricks for Perfect Timing:
After a Positive Interaction: Ask immediately after resolving an issue or providing exceptional service. For example, if a customer praises you in an email or conversation, respond with, “Thank you! Would you mind sharing your experience in a review?”
Upon Completion of a Transaction: For e-commerce or service-based businesses, send a review request after the product is delivered or the service is completed.
Milestones: For ongoing services, request reviews during key moments, such as the end of a successful project or after a significant achievement.
Bonus Tip:
Automate the timing with your CRM. For instance, set up an email trigger in tools like Taft Systems to send review requests a week after a transaction.
Make It Easy for Customers to Leave Reviews
The easier it is for customers to leave a review, the more likely they are to do so. Complicated processes can deter even the happiest customers.
Tricks for Simplicity:
Provide Direct Links: Share clickable links to your review platforms (Google, Yelp, Trustpilot, etc.) via emails, SMS, or receipts.
Use QR Codes: If you have a physical location, display QR codes that take customers directly to your review page.
Embed Forms on Your Website: Create a testimonials section where customers can leave reviews directly without navigating away.
Offer Incentives for Reviews (Where Permissible)
Incentives encourage customers to take action, but they must be offered ethically and within platform guidelines. Some review sites, like Yelp, discourage incentivized reviews, so always check the rules before proceeding.
Tricks for Ethical Incentives:
Offer Discounts or Freebies: Provide a discount code or small gift for leaving honest feedback.
Enter Customers into a Raffle: Run a monthly raffle where reviewers have a chance to win a prize.
Provide Recognition: Showcase testimonials on your website or social media to give customers a moment in the spotlight.
Personalize Your Requests
Generic requests can feel impersonal and are easy to ignore. Tailored, thoughtful requests resonate more with customers and increase the likelihood of a response.
Tricks for Personalization:
Address Customers by Name: Use personalization tokens in your CRM to make emails or messages feel customized (e.g., “Hi {{contact.first_name}}!”).
Reference Their Experience: Mention specific details about the product they bought or the service they received. For example, “We hope you’re enjoying your new dining set! Would you mind sharing your thoughts in a review?”
Use Multiple Channels: Adapt your tone for email, SMS, or in-person requests to match the customer’s preferences.
Bonus Tip:
Follow up gently if you don’t hear back. A message like, “Just a friendly reminder—we’d still love to hear your feedback!” can work wonders.
Asking for reviews and testimonials doesn’t have to feel uncomfortable. By choosing the right timing, simplifying the process, offering thoughtful incentives, and personalizing your requests, you can gather glowing feedback that builds your business’s reputation.
If you want to learn more about building credibility and trust, email us today at [email protected]
