How to Collect More Product Reviews from Customers
Getting customers to leave a review shouldn’t feel impossible. This no-fluff guide breaks down 7 proven ways to collect more product reviews — from perfect timing and ethical incentives to automation hacks and visual UGC. Turn your buyers into your best marketers, one review at a time.
In today’s e-commerce landscape, product reviews are more than just nice-to-haves — they’re a core part of how people decide what to buy.
In fact, 93% of shoppers say reviews influence their purchasing decisions (Source: Podium). For DTC brands, they’re one of the highest-leverage growth channels you can tap — if you know how to do it right.
This guide combines field-tested tactics, behavioural insights, and industry benchmarks to help your brand collect more reviews — and use them more effectively.
1. Ask at the Right Time
Timing can increase review response rates by up to 23%
(Source: PowerReviews).
The best time to request a review is when the product experience is fresh and positive. Depending on your product category:
- Send a review request 3–5 days after delivery
- Trigger a follow-up after a positive support interaction
- Include a review CTA in thank-you emails or packaging inserts
If you’re a local or hybrid business, don’t forget to leverage Google Review links — include them in receipts, live chat closings, or post-service emails. You can generate yours directly via your Google Business Profile.
See this step-by-step guide from Widewail on optimising timing and channels
2. Make It Effortless
Customers decide in seconds whether they’ll leave a review.
Friction kills feedback.
Simplify the process with:
- One-click review buttons in emails or SMS
- Pre-filled forms with order and product info
- Mobile-first design
- Visuals: enable photo/video uploads with one tap
Also offer multiple review types — a quick star rating, a testimonial, or a visual submission. The more flexible the format, the higher the participation.
🎥 Example: This YouTube breakdown by Roman Randall covers frictionless review UX design
3. Use Smart, Ethical Incentives
Incentives can increase review response rates by over 80% (Source: Bizrate Insights).
Offering a reward isn’t “buying” a review — it’s showing appreciation.
The trick is to reward participation, not positivity:
- Give a discount on their next purchase
- Give a voucher or gift card
- Offer loyalty points or in-app credit
- Run a monthly raffle with all reviewers
Avoid directly paying for 5-star reviews.
This violates trust and platform policies.
This OptinMonster post shares proven examples of ethical incentives
4. Automate Personalised Follow-Ups
According to Klaviyo, brands that automate their post-purchase review request emails see 10–15% higher submission rates.
Set up sequences that:
- Trigger personalised review asks based on delivery tracking
- Segment messaging by product category or customer type
- Include a clear preview of how the review will be used (e.g. “Your feedback will appear on this product page”)
Automation saves time and increases your reach without manual effort.
📺 Watch how automation is discussed in this case study-style YouTube clip
5. Make the Ask Across Channels
The more places you ask, the more reviews you’ll get.
Channels to test:
- Email (with a smart CTA and product image)
- SMS (“Hey Sam, we’d love a quick review on your new bag”)
- QR code inserts in packaging
- Chatbot messages post-purchase
- Website popups after order confirmation
- Instagram bio / Linktree links
This Instagram Reel by Roman Randall offers a great mobile-first review request format
Include your review link in every post-purchase communication.
Repetition = results.
6. Showcase Reviews to Encourage More
People mimic what they see — it’s called social proof.
Ways to amplify reviews:
- Feature real photos in UGC galleries
- Share customer quotes on product pages and emails
- Tag reviewers in social stories (with permission)
- Turn reviews into ads (carousel format works best)
According to Spiegel Research Center, reviews with visuals increase conversion rates by 91%.
🎥 For examples of this in action, watch this explainer video
When customers see others contributing, they’re more likely to join in.
7. Respond, Reflect, and Improve
A review is not the end — it’s the beginning of a conversation.
- Reply to all reviews, positive or negative
- Show how customer feedback drives changes
- Thank reviewers with personalised responses
- Share improvements publicly (“You asked — we listened”)
Transparency builds trust.
And trust builds long-term retention.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
! Buying fake reviews
! Over-emailing your customers
! Ignoring negative feedback
! Making the review form overly complex
! Only rewarding photo/video submissions
Keep it honest, simple, and respectful.
Metrics to Track
To evaluate your efforts, monitor:
- Review submission rate (goal: 10%+ of orders)
- Media-rich reviews (% with photo/video)
- Review ratings distribution (stars over time)
- Conversion lift on reviewed SKUs
- Review volume growth month-on-month
Bonus: track whether review contributors become repeat buyers.
Often, they do!
Final Takeaway
Product reviews are more than feedback — they’re trust assets.
Collected strategically, they reduce CAC, improve on-page conversion, and deepen your relationship with customers.
Make it easy, rewarding, and human. Reviews aren’t a box to tick — they’re a signal that your brand is worth talking about.
Isabelle Simon - Communications Lead - 82DASH
