The art of asking: How to get customers to leave reviews

Even the most independent thinkers are influenced by the opinions of others, personal recommendations, and word of mouth. This is why product reviews are an important way to reach target retailers, build credibility, and secure new customers. Here, we’ll outline how to get customers to leave reviews, which will help make your brand more appealing to vendors and increase your wholesale orders.

The importance of reviews

BrightLocal’s 2023 Consumer Review Survey reports that 98% of consumers read online reviews for local businesses, and a recent report from Power Reviews found that 77% of shoppers specifically seek out websites with ratings and reviews. The importance of securing these positive reviews cannot be overstated: The good news is that 65% of consumers will leave a review at least some of the time if asked. That’s where you come in! 

How does the review process on Faire work?

Faire makes it easy for your customers to sing your praises with a series of gentle reminders and an easy-to-use platform. Once one of your orders is successfully delivered, your buyer will automatically receive a suggestion from Faire to leave a review. 

Here are the key things to know about reviews on Faire:

• Reviews can be made from a buyer’s Orders page in the Faire portal.
• Browsers will be able to see what items the reviewer purchased.
• Customers have the option of including a photograph.
• Reviews stay private for 48 hours so you can review, respond, or flag them to our team (if they violate our policies).
• Reviews can be submitted and edited up to 90 days after an order has been delivered.

Head here for more on the logistics of a review, and read on for tips on how to follow up. 

How to prompt your customers to leave reviews 

You want to express how much it helps you if customers leave you a positive review without making them feel anxious or pressured to do so. One thing to keep in mind is that every small retail outlet owner is being pulled in a lot of directions at once and might need to be encouraged to leave reviews in a few different ways. 

Here are some moments when you might encourage your buyer to leave a positive, public-facing review. 

• First orders: Message buyers after a purchase to gauge their satisfaction, particularly for first orders.
• Reorders: If someone is reordering, they clearly appreciate your product and are a great review candidate. When you thank them for their next order, gently suggest they leave a review.
• Social media: Post reminders on your social channels, encouraging customers to share their experiences. When a buyer tags you on social media to show their followers what’s newly (or back) in stock, they’re leveraging your goods as a way to get traffic into their store. This is well worth a nudge for a review.
• Email signature: Add a call to action in your email signature, such as “Love our products? Leave a review!” You can also set up automatic post-purchase emails that include a review request a few days after their products are delivered.
• Physical mailers: Include a card with a QR code linking directly to your review page in product packages.

After a customer leaves a review, make an effort to thank them. Often, doing so publicly is a nice way to encourage other buyers to do the same. Here’s an example of a great review from a retailer.

Want more reviews? Provide a template  

You’ll want to make it simple for a buyer to spread the good news about your brand. One way you can do this is by giving them prompts of things to mention when they leave you a review. Here is a template of an email or direct message you can send to vendors:

Subject: How did we do? Share your thoughts! 

Hi [Customer name]!

Thank you so much for your recent purchase from [Your brand]. We hope your customers are as enthusiastic about [your products] as we are! [Any other specifics about your brand or process.]

If you have a moment, we’d love to hear about your experience. Your feedback helps us improve and makes a big difference in our ability to reach more vendors. 

To get you started, some things it can be helpful to mention are the quality of our items, our shipment speed, and what it was like to communicate with our brand. But please feel free to add your own personal reflections! Pictures are also a welcome addition. 

Thank you for supporting our small business! 

Best regards, [Your name], [Your brand]

Timing is everything: When to ask for reviews

In addition to asking in the right way, you also want to ask at the right time. The best time to request a review is typically two to four weeks after their first order has been delivered. This is optimal for several reasons:

1. Product familiarity: It gives the retailer enough time to receive, unpack, and start selling your products. They’ll have had initial interactions with the items and possibly some customer feedback.
   
2. Sales data: The retailer will have preliminary sales data, allowing them to comment on how well your products are moving.
   
3. Fresh experience: The ordering and delivery process will still be fresh in their mind, enabling them to comment on your efficiency and customer service.
   
4. Problem resolution: If any issues arose during shipping or with the products, you’ve had time to resolve them, potentially turning a negative experience into a positive review.
   
5. Reorder potential: This timeframe often coincides with when they might be considering a reorder, making your review request a natural part of the follow-up process.

Here’s another example of a great review:

Spread the word

Now that you know how to get more reviews, make a point to share the reviews you get on your website and social channels. Positive word-of-mouth endorsements have a great effect on other buyers, both new and existing. Plus, acknowledging a buyer’s kind words and showcasing them is a nice way to show your appreciation. 

If you have the time, you could build out an Instagram reel or post with video endorsements from customers. It’s a great way to illustrate what you do, how you do it, and how your services benefit customers—which, hopefully, attracts more and repeat customers.

• Instagram reels receive 22% more engagement than regular Instagram video posts, and they show up on the app’s Explore page, a go-to spot for users to discover new content.
• You can add screen text and subtitles to enhance or highlight certain points (“my new go-to olive oil,” “incredibly easy to use,” “best summer purchase,” etc.).
• Since you can share your reel in both your account grid and your Stories, you can widen its reach with less effort.

Leveraging customer reviews is a powerful strategy to expand your brand’s reach to more retail outlets. By using the techniques outlined in this article, you can build a compelling narrative that attracts new retailers. Remember that a strong review portfolio can be the difference between being overlooked and being the next must-have brand on store shelves.