How To Ask For Customer Reviews (+ Free Resource)

In a world of digital shopping, online businesses, and increasingly savvy consumers, testimonials and reviews have become more critical than ever.

Buyers talk to one another, so reviews can make or break a business, shape your business's reputation, and influence your potential customer's decision to work with you.

Think about it…

When was the last time you made a personal purchase or investment in your business without going online and reading reviews first? Did positive or negative reviews influence your decision to make a purchase?

From vacations to car insurance, and stationery to dog food, customer reviews help other buyers make informed purchasing decisions. And it’s no different when it comes to your small online business and your clients. 

Customer reviews act as social proof and provide real-world insights into the quality and reliability of your products or services. However many online service providers find that the most challenging part is asking their clients for reviews.

FREE Resource - How To Get Your Clients To Write Amazing Testimonials About Your Services (+ BONUS Email Templates)

In this blog post, I will guide you through exactly how to request customer reviews effectively, share best practices when it comes to reviews for your business, and provide a free resource to help you get started!

Understanding the Importance of Customer Reviews

Getting customer feedback matters because it can have a huge impact on how competitive you are in your industry. 

Feedback in the way of reviews offers valuable insights into what you're doing well and where you need to improve. Whether the feedback and reviews from people who have used your services are positive or negative, it’s going to help you and your businesses grow and adapt to better meet future client’s needs.

You should encourage and welcome feedback from all your clients and take appropriate action based on that. 

In an era where consumers rely heavily on online information before making purchasing decisions, reviews serve as crucial social proof. Positive reviews build trust and credibility, influencing potential customers to choose your business over competitors.

The impact of reviews on a business's reputation and bottom line cannot be overstated.

According to studies, a significant percentage of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. Therefore, having a robust collection of positive reviews can substantially increase your sales and client base.

Crafting the Perfect Review Request Email Template

The hardest part about getting reviews from your clients is asking for them in the first place. 

But adding this step into your client offboarding procedure doesn’t have to be complicated. Once you have completed a client project or been working with a client for a few months set yourself a reminder or add a step into your client workflow to remind you to request an honest review. 

You can send this request via email, as that’s more than likely where you correspond with your clients. Drafting an effective review request email is easy and follows a simple, easy-to-replicate structure.

Taking the time to carefully craft this email can significantly increase your chances of getting a review from your clients.

Things to include in your client review requests 

• Email Subject Line: The subject line is the first thing your client is going to see before they open the email. It needs to be compelling and engaging to get them to open it.  Examples include, "I Value Your Feedback!" or "Share Your Experience".
• Personalization: Personalizing your email by addressing your client by name and referencing the specific project or service you provided can make a big difference. It shows that you care about their individual experience and value their opinion.
• Clear Call-to-Action: Your email should have a clear and direct call-to-action, such as "Click here to leave a review" or ask them to reply to your email with their feedback. Your clients are busy people, so respect their time and make it as easy as possible for them to respond and leave a review.
• Follow-up Email: Sometimes, clients might forget to leave a review after the initial request. Sending a polite follow-up email can serve as a gentle reminder. Ensure your follow-up is respectful and not too pushy.

Creating a request review email template that you can use can save you time and make it easier to ask your clients for reviews.  But don't forget to take the time to add a personal touch based on each client and the offer or service you provided.

Best Practices for Requesting Reviews

There are a few best practices you can follow to increase your chances of receiving positive reviews from your satisfied customers and make the review process smooth for both you and your clients.

1. Timing: Timing is crucial when requesting reviews. The best time to ask is shortly after you have completed the project you did for the client. If you offer a recurring service for a client, you should ask for a review after you have been working with the client for a few months. That way their experience with you is still fresh in their mind and they've had enough time to leave an honest and balanced review.
2. Incentives: Offering small incentives, such as discounts on future services or gift cards, can encourage clients to leave reviews. However, ensure that incentives are ethical and do not compromise the authenticity of the reviews.
3. Simplicity: Make the review process as simple and straightforward as possible. Provide direct links to your feedback form or survey, along with clear instructions on how to leave a review.

Handling Negative and Unhappy Customers

Unfortunately, you can’t please everyone and this means that negative feedback and reviews are inevitable. How you handle these types of reviews and feedback can make a significant difference to the outcome. There are two important steps you can take:

1. Respond Promptly: Responding quickly to negative reviews shows that you care about your clients and want to find a way to resolve the issue. Apologize for their negative experience and offer a solution.
2. Resolve Issues: Address your client’s concerns and take steps to resolve their issues. This not only helps retain the client but if it's a public review, it'll also shows potential clients that you are proactive and responsive.

As service providers, we want to focus on providing an exceptional customer experience and a high level of service from the start. But we are all human and sometimes we fall short of the high expectations we set for ourselves. If you get negative feedback or a negative review, being open and honest with clients is usually the best way to go. 

Come into the conversation with an open mind and a willingness to find a solution. This can become valuable feedback that'll help you improve your offers even more.

Encouraging More Positive Reviews

Getting your happy clients to leave positive reviews can significantly boost your online reputation and help your potential clients decide to work with you. 

The first step is to identify your happy clients and reach out to them to ask them to request a review. Even if it’s been a while since you worked with them, remind them of the service you provided and what the benefit of that was for their business.

If they had a positive experience working with you, they are usually very keen to leave reviews. 

You could go a step further by using the positive feedback to improve your services and offers. Basically, do more of what they like! This increases the likelihood of receiving more positive reviews in the future.

Positive reviews from your past and existing clients play a crucial role in attracting new customers to your business. They provide assurance and build trust, making it easier for prospective clients to choose your business over your competitors. 

Not only that, but if your clients have a good experience with you, they’re more likely to bring your business up in conversation with their friends and their networking circles and refer you to others!

As an online business owner, don’t underestimate the power of your local community. For local small businesses, reviews are especially important. They help build a loyal customer base and increase visibility in local search results. Your next client could be on your doorstep!

The Power of Video Reviews

In addition to written testimonials, video reviews are a highly effective and engaging way to showcase customer satisfaction.

Video content is more authentic, engaging and versatile, as it can be used on different platforms (such as on your website, social media, ads, email and even on a YouTube channel). And they can easily be turned into written content if needed.

When asking for reviews, you can offer the option for customers to submit a video.

This can be done through a pre-recorded video or a face-to-face interview with you that you record (with their permission, of course). You should provide customers with a simple guide or prompts to help them create their video review.

Questions like “What did you like most about our product/service?” and “How has our product/service benefited you?” can help them structure their thoughts.

Utilizing Reviews for Business Growth

There are numerous review sites where you could ask your clients to leave their feedback, such as Google My Business, Yelp, and Trustpilot. Perhaps the best one is your Google Business Profile as Google reviews will appear in search results. 

For local businesses, this is especially important as local searches often lead to higher engagement and conversion rates. A well-maintained Google Business Profile with a robust collection of positive reviews can significantly boost your visibility in local search results, driving more traffic and online inquiries.

You can also ask for reviews on your social pages, such as Facebook and LinkedIn. 

And once you have them, don't forget to leverage customer reviews in your marketing material. Don’t be shy about showing off positive reviews on your website and social media profiles. This will help build credibility and show prospective clients how great it is to work with you!

• Website: Create a dedicated testimonials or reviews page. Incorporate snippets of positive feedback on your homepage, product pages, and even your contact page to reinforce trust throughout the customer journey.
• Social Media: Regularly share positive reviews and customer success stories on your social media platforms. This not only highlights your happy customers but also engages your audience and encourages others to leave their feedback.
• Email Marketing: Include customer reviews in your email newsletters and marketing campaigns. Highlighting real customer experiences can make your emails more persuasive and relatable.
• Promotional Materials: You can use quotes from reviews in your paid ads, but also brochures, flyers, and other printed marketing materials. Positive feedback can be a powerful endorsement in any format.

FREE Resource: How To Get Your Clients To Write Amazing Testimonials About Your Services

Customer reviews are invaluable assets for your online service-based business. They provide critical feedback, show your credibility, and can help you attract new clients. 

Effectively utilizing customer reviews can play a pivotal role in your business growth strategy. Encourage your customers to leave reviews on Google Business Profile and other relevant review platforms, and make the most of this feedback by incorporating it into your marketing efforts.

This will not only enhance your online presence but also build a solid foundation of trust and credibility with your potential customers.

FREE Resource - How To Get Your Clients To Write Amazing Testimonials About Your Services (+ BONUS Email Templates)

And we have a great free gift that'll make it super easy for your clients to leave you glowing reviews. Check out this free resource: How To Get Your Clients To Write Amazing Testimonials About Your Services. 

Inside you'll find:

• 10 questions to ask (you can add them to a form, or ask on a call 'interview style')
• Testimonial template so you can turn their answers into a powerful testimonial
• Email templates to ask for reviews

Once you have these glowing reviews from your clients, show them off and use them to make your offers and services even better!