Two Simple and Effective Ways to Boost Product Reviews
It’s no secret that online shoppers love reading other customer’s product reviews. However, did you know that Google loves product ratings and reviews as well? It makes sense since reviews add unique value to pages. When ratings are formatted in the appropriate rich snippet format, Google will often include some rating and review information on their search engine results pages which catch the eye and increases click-through-rates:
How do you go about getting product reviews? Here are two simple ideas:
- Incentivize The Review – Some of our clients have had great success boosting reviews by asking their customers for reviews via email and letting the customer know that they’ll receive a coupon code upon submitting the review. If you are turning on reviews for the first time, this is a great jump-start strategy. Best of all, the same customers often order again once they have earned a coupon code! If you are a Nexternal client, here is a quick knowledge base article on how to set this up.
- Automated Review Reminders – In the long run the best thing you can do is setup your eCommerce platform to automatically email customers after a preset number of days. This will also make your reviews look more natural as they will trickle in over time for products. Be sure to give clients time to receive and use the product. Thirty days is a good starting point for most products. If you are a Nexternal client, here is another knowledge base article on setting up automated review reminders.
The old adage that if you don’t ask, you don’t get holds true with product reviews. Put a system in place and let your customers reap the benefits!
After receiving a degree in Industrial Engineering from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Alex began his career as a technology consultant with Accenture. In 1999 he left Accenture and founded Nexternal – a cloud-based eCommerce Platform company. Alex is passionate about eCommerce and online marketing. He is now a Senior Vice President of HighJump, managing the Nexternal business unit.
