How Do I Solicit Online Reviews From Customers?

18 Feb How Do I Solicit Online Reviews From Customers?

As business owners, we all know the power that word-of-mouth marketing commands.  A substantial list of 5-star reviews can go a long way when persuading customers to choose your business over a competitor. According to Vendasta.com, More than 88% of online shoppers incorporate reviews into their purchase decision. So why would you want to miss out on an opportunity to give your business more positive publicity? Read on to learn a few tips that will help encourage customers to leave an online review after engaging with your business.

Just Ask!

It’s as simple as that! Asking for a review is half the battle. If a customer is extremely happy with the service that you have provided them, your request might be the extra push they need to get the job done. If you go this route, be prepared to make the process extremely easy. Provide your customers with direct links to the review website and give them step-by-step directions to assist with the process. Remember, this task may not be as simple as it seems– especially for individuals who are not particularly Internet savvy.

Offer Incentives

Offering incentives is a great way to give your customers that extra nudge to leave you a review. To be clear, we’re not telling you to buy positive reviews—simply we’re suggesting that you give your customers a good reason to leave you one. Try offering a $5 or $10 gift card in exchange for a review. You’ll be surprised how many customers bite on this opportunity.

Make Reviews Part of Your Process

Connect with your sales and customer service teams and make sure that they understand how important reviews are for the lead generation process. It doesn’t hurt to ask your customers (especially at the right moments) and can easily be integrated into your organization’s customer outreach system.

Create Profiles on Multiple Review Sites

There are dozens of websites where costumers can leave reviews for your business. Some of the most common include Yelp, TripAdvisor, Google My Business, and Facebook. Depending on your niche, there are even industry-specific platforms that are available. Do some research on where your customers are likely to leave reviews and create profiles on those websites. Then promote those pages via social media, your website, an email, or even through direct contact with your customers.

Taking the extra time to solicit online reviews is a simple and cost-effective way to raise brand awareness. Follow these tips, and you’ll be off to the races.