Reviews are the most potent means of affecting consumer behavior. Importance of their importance can be gauged from the impact they have on revenue. It is true that a few sentences in a review can influence the customers way more than the entire content of the website. Even a one more star or for that matter half a star will make a customer choose your competitor over you. Such is the power of reviews. Moreover, reviews are also the most important local SEO ranking factor.
Important as the reviews are, it is imperative that you ask your customers to write a sentence or two giving you an extra star. On the face of it, it might seem self-serving or plain awkward but the truth is people generally want to share their opinions. But, they need a bit of prodding. In the present article, I will be discussing how you could ask customers for reviews in different scenarios. I will also provide you with examples and templates.
Why ask for reviews?
By now you might have realized the power and importance of customer reviews. From my own experience I Know how vital it is to get reviews of customers. Since I am working as a marketing communications manager for Universal Boschi, which is the leading nitrogen plant manufacturing company in India exporting its products to over 60 countries all over the globe. More often than not, I have to gently persuade the purchasers of products to share their experience of using our products and services.
To tell you the truth, few of my clients would gladly accept and give us great reviews with four or five star rating. Others you have to nudge a little more. From our own experience, we know that reviews play a crucial in helping customers to make up their mind. Mostly, we buy what we want when the product has good reviews. There is no denying the fact what people say about your product is more important than what you say about your business.
You can already attest to the power of customer reviews from your own shopping experiences. Think about the number of times you’ve chosen a business either because of what its reviews said or simply because it had reviews. Or maybe you were never on the fence at all, because you knew exactly what you wanted to buy because you heard great things about it from someone you know. Numerous market studies say that point out that over 84% of consumers trust online reviews just like personal recommendations.
· Increasing your star rating by 1.5 is equivalent of getting 13,000 more leads.
· I star increases sales by 5-9%.
· Around 76% of customers asked for reviews actually gave one, says a study.
· A market survey says that 93% of customers believe that online reviews are helpful.
· Another market study states that 98% customers read online reviews for local businesses.
How to ask customers for reviews
If you are looking to get Google reviews, get five stars on Facebook or increase your reviews on Amazon, it is imperative that ask customers to give their reviews. There are many ways you can ask customers to write reviews including the following:
· Social media
· Requesting through email
· By making a call
· Through Thank you pages
· Invoices
Besides, you can also draw on your experience of how local businesses nudged to write a review for them. Each time you purchase something on an online store, they keep reminding you to leave a review or answer specific questions regarding a product that you recently purchased. And, you can emulate the same strategies for getting reviews. Moreover, you must keep coming up with multiple strategies so you have continuous feedback coming from your customers. Recent reviews helps in gaining the trust of customers besides helping the business to rank higher in Google search results.
How to ask for a review in person
Though it is the most difficult to ask customers for feedback in person but you must make the most of it if there is an opportunity.
In response to commendations
The best situation would be when you get spontaneous commendations from a customer. In such a case, it is imperative that you appreciate their praise and request them to provide the review on the platform as in the example below:
Customer: I am impressed with your excellent customer service and quality products.
You: Nice to hear that! We try to provide the quality products and service. Thanks for taking time to share your feedback.
Customer: Thanks for such amazing service and products.
You: It would be great if you could write what you said on our website. It would be awesome and help our customers to trust us.
Customer: Certainly!
Art of getting reviews over the phone
If you have a customer facing business there will be lot of times you or your employees will have occasions to request clients for reviews on phone. However, you must choose the customers carefully. If you have helped a customer through a difficult situation it is better not to ask him.
But, you must miss asking customers who say they are happy with your products and services. They are the ones you must ask for reviews when an ideal opportunity presents itself.
And, you can say something like “It is a pleasure to help you and we value your business. I would request you to post a review of your experience with us on a platform of your choice. “
No doubt, asking for reviews make your customers valued. And, they are more likely to write a review for you. Valuing your customers will automatically create in them loyalty.
Requesting reviews via text
Text message is also popular for asking customers for writing reviews. However, there are two most commonly used techniques for accomplishing it.
Personal request
You can message the clients after delivering a service requesting them to spare some time to write a review in Google or Facebook.
And, you can also subscribe SMS review request services that send automatic texts after making a purchase like “Thanks for visiting Universal Boschi. Share your feedback at our website. “
Review request through email
On receiving an email from a business owner expressing his gratitude for choosing his business, the customers feel appreciated. You can select a few of your loyal customers who have done good business with you and email them an appreciatory note thanking them for showing trust in your business:
Hi (First name)
We have a request to make. I would like you to write a review for us on review platform of your choice.
Reviews help us in assessing the requirements of our customers. Moreover, they also help make the customers to trust in our business.
Whether you write a review or not, we value you as a customer.
Hope to see your enthusiastic face soon
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