When thinking about purchasing a new product, the first thing you would look at is someone who has experienced the product and ask for their honest review. According to studies, only 3% of consumers consider salespeople and marketers to be trustworthy. Especially now, with social media, it's pretty easy for you to look for reviews in just a simple search and click.
A customer review is a written reflection of a customer’s experience and feedback on a company’s products or services. The feedback can be usually found on sites like Google Reviews, Amazon, Yelp, and social media. Using sites like Google is a great way to increase customer sales. Consumers use these customer reviews during the purchasing process to understand how your product works and if it’s worth the investment.
Reviews are important and every business owner should know how to gain positive reviews to gain new customers and build trust. And almost everyone can publish a review online that contains good information, negative reviews and experiences, and sometimes even fake content about your business. That’s why it is important to make sure that the reviews posted are genuine and can help you boost your business to potential customers.
Here are a few simple ways on how to ask for honest reviews ethically and professionally. If you do this, there is a big chance you’ll have those precious reviews you are aiming for.
- Bring it up naturally in conversation.
If you are in the perfect timing of talking about your business with someone, ask them if they would be willing to write you a review online. You need to tap into someone who you think can give their honest review about it. But don’t force a friend or family member to write a raving review of the product or service you sell because it would be a conflict of interest. All your reviews should come from legitimate sources so it would not come off as scripted.
- Ask in response to praise.
When someone tells you how much they love your products or services, in any means of communication, ask them to share that information in a review. Make it easy for them by providing a link to your business review page. Or if they prefer in writing, you can also give them your feedback form if they happen to be in-store.
- Send an email blast.
For those businesses with a mailing list, don't forget to send a message asking for honest feedback. Provide email recipients with easy-to-follow directions on how they can access and complete the review. And because you have their information, it is easy to track those who provided their review and you can give them a small reward as a way of saying thank you for giving their honest feedback for your business.
- Request a post-purchase review.
After a customer successfully makes a purchase, ask them for feedback. Stores do this all the time, sometimes you'll see a text at the bottom of the receipt asking you to write a review or provide quick feedback.
