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How to Incentivise Customers to Leave Reviews: A Comprehensive Guide

Here’s the thing: reviews are gold for any business. They boost your credibility, help others trust your brand, and can even improve your visibility online.

Take a look at this simple, step-by-step guide to incentivizing customer reviews:

Infographic showing 4 steps to incentivise customer reviews: ask at the right time, make it easy, offer ethical incentives, and follow up gently by Smart Reviews

But getting those reviews? That can feel like pulling teeth—unless you have a strategy. 

Let’s break down exactly how to encourage customers to leave reviews in a way that feels natural and approachable.

Why Reviews Matter

Before we dive into the how, let’s talk about the why. Customer reviews are more than just words on a screen—they’re social proof. 

They show potential customers that people like them have had great experiences with your business. And guess what?

Reviews also help with search engine rankings, giving your business a boost when people search for services you offer.

How to Encourage Reviews 

Encouraging reviews doesn’t have to be awkward or uncomfortable. Here’s a simple plan to make it happen:

1. Ask at the Right Time

Timing is everything. The best moment to ask for a review is when your customer is happiest—right after a purchase, a service, or a positive interaction.

  • If you’re a café, ask as they’re leaving with their favourite latte.
  • For an online store, follow up a few days after delivery with a friendly email.

2. Make It Easy

Customers are busy, so keep the process as simple as possible.

  • Send a direct link to your review page.
  • Use QR codes on receipts or packaging that lead to your review platform.
  • Mention the specific platform (Google, Yelp) where reviews matter most to you.
Facebook post template encouraging customer reviews with a direct link, showing how to make review requests simple, and effective by Smart Reviews

3. Offer Subtle Incentives

People love a little extra something, but here’s the catch—it has to feel genuine and stay within the rules.

  • Offer loyalty points or discounts for their next purchase, with full transparency.
  • Avoid tying incentives to positive reviews; just encourage honest feedback.
Smart Reviews chart listing 5 ethical review incentives—discount codes, loyalty points, perks, freebies, and thank-yous—with examples for each by Smart Reviews

4. Follow Up Gently

Sometimes, people need a nudge. A friendly reminder via email or text can go a long way. Keep it casual and short, like this:

“Hi [Name], thanks for visiting us! We’d love to hear about your experience. Your feedback helps us grow—leave a review here [link].”

Pro Tips for Ethical Review Practices

  • Be Transparent: Always let customers know if you’re offering an incentive. Honesty builds trust.
  • Focus on Service: Delivering an exceptional experience naturally inspires great reviews.
  • Respect Privacy: Never pressure customers or make them feel obligated.

Common Challenges and How to Solve Them

  • “My customers don’t leave reviews.”
    Try simplifying the process or asking in person. Often, people are happy to help when asked directly.
  • “I don’t know which platforms to focus on.”
    Start with Google Reviews – it’s a game-changer for search rankings. Then branch out to industry-specific platforms.
Screenshot of Google Business Profile sign-in page, highlighting the “Sign In” button with a prompt to create a free business profile for visibility by Smart Reviews

How We Can Help

If managing reviews feels overwhelming, we’ve got your back.

At Smart Reviews, we simplify the entire process—helping you request, track, and showcase reviews with ease. 

With us, you’ll save time and build trust effortlessly.

You’ve Got This!

Encouraging reviews doesn’t have to be complicated. 

With these steps, you’ll be well on your way to collecting valuable feedback and growing your business.

And if you’d like a simpler way to manage the process, we’re here to help you do it with ease.

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