It’s no secret that customer reviews pack a punch. A handful of sentences in a review can sway consumers more than a whole website. A single star difference—or even half a star—can make a shopper choose your competition over you. Let’s not forget that reviews are the king of local SEO ranking factors.

But to get those impactful sentences or that extra star, you have to ask your customers for reviews. It might feel awkward or self-serving, but the truth is, people usually love to share what they think; they just need a little nudge.

This guide is your roadmap to understanding why and how to ask for customer reviews in different situations—with clear examples and templates to make your life easier!

What’s inside?

• Why ask for reviews?
• How to ask for reviews face-to-face
• How to ask for reviews on the phone
• How to ask for reviews by text
• How to ask for reviews using email
• How to ask for reviews after a purchase
• How to ask for reviews on your website
• How to ask vendors for reviews
• How to ask for reviews on social media
• How NOT to ask for reviews
• Final tips on asking for reviews

Why ask for reviews?

You’ve likely experienced the power of customer reviews and testimonials firsthand as a shopper. Think about how many times you chose a business based on reviews or just because it had them. Maybe you were already sold because you heard great things from someone you know. The bottom line is, what others say about your business carries more weight than what you say, even if they’re strangers. Still not convinced? Check out these online review stats:

• 84% of consumers trust online reviews just like personal recommendations.
• Boosting your review star rating by 1.5 could mean 13,000 more leads.
• Each 1-star bump on Yelp leads to a 5-9% increase in revenue.

Image source If that doesn’t get you out of your comfort zone to start gathering reviews, here are some extra stats that might do the trick:

• Consumers are open to it. A BrightLocal study found that 76% who are asked to leave reviews actually do.
• Consumers find reviews useful. In a Podium study, 93% of consumers said online reviews for local businesses are as helpful as product reviews on sites like Amazon.
• Consumers actively look for reviews. BrightLocal reports that 98% of consumers read online reviews for local businesses.

Want more ways to attract visitors to your site? Grab our free guide » 25 Ways to Increase Traffic to Your Website

How to request customer reviews

Whether you aim for more Google reviews, better Yelp ratings, five stars on Facebook, or glowing Amazon reviews, there are plenty of ways to ask:

• Face-to-face
• On the phone (or via text)
• Through your website (ideally a dedicated reviews page)
• By email (mass emails, personal emails, company emails, email signatures)
• Through social media (direct messages or posts)
• On thank you pages
• On receipts/invoices
• And more!

We’ll cover all these and more here, but remember, you don’t have to stick to just one method. Having a few strategies running simultaneously ensures a steady flow of feedback about your business. Multiple and recent reviews boost customer trust and help you rank higher in searches. Before you dive in, make sure your business is listed correctly on platforms like Google, Bing, and others with this handy free business listings grader from LocaliQ. .

How to request a review in person

Asking for a review in person can be daunting, but it’s the most effective way. When the chance arises, grab it!

Seize the moment after praise

The easiest situation is when a customer approaches you with praise. Express your gratitude for their feedback and then gently suggest the review. For example:

Happy customer: [singing your praises]

You: That’s fantastic to hear. We strive to [do what you’re being praised for]. And thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts.

Customer: Of course, thank you for such great service!

You: You know, it would be amazing if you could put what you just said in a review on [platform]. Those kinds of comments really help potential customers feel good about choosing us.

Customer: Sure!

You: Do you know how to do it?

Create opportunities through conversation

You don’t have to wait for praise. Often, you’ll need to start a conversation that naturally leads to the ask. Do this by asking about their experience with your store, services, or products at checkout. Good conversation starters include:

• Did you find everything you needed today?
• Is this your first time [using the product they’re about to buy]?
• What do you think of that [product they’re purchasing]? I’ve tried [a similar product], but haven’t gotten around to this one yet.
• I hope you had a pleasant experience with us…anything we could improve or that you particularly liked?

Don’t force it

Important: Don’t pounce on a review request after the first positive comment. It makes the conversation feel insincere and like you care more about the review than their experience. Reviews boost your reputation, but you won’t get any (and your reputation will tank) if you don’t ask the right way. Instead, gauge the customer’s mood. If they give short answers and seem uninterested in talking, drop it. If they’re positive and offer more details, keep the conversation going. As it wraps up, ask for the review. For example:

“Hey, thanks for the feedback. We love sharing this with potential customers so they feel good about choosing us. If you’re comfortable, it would be fantastic if you could share some of what you said in a [platform name] review.”

How to ask clients for reviews over the phone

If your business is customer support-heavy, you and your team can find plenty of chances to ask for reviews on the phone. Choose your timing wisely. If you just resolved a long or tricky issue, it’s probably not the best time. However, if you have a self-proclaimed happy customer (ideally expressing gratitude for your help), seize the opportunity.

“I’m glad we could help today, and we appreciate your business. If you have a moment, we’d love it if you shared your experience on [review platform of your choice]. People want to know they’ll get the support they need if an issue arises. Customer testimonials are the best way to show that.” This makes the customer feel valued, boosting loyalty and the chances of them leaving a review.

How to ask for reviews via text

Texting is increasingly popular for businesses, and you have two options here.

Personal request

Business: Hi Mike. We just finished your spring lawn cleanup. Looks great, let’s hope for some rain!

Mike: Thanks! Can you email me the invoice?

Business: Absolutely, I’ll send it tonight. By the way, after seeing your yard, I’d love your feedback in a Google or Facebook review if you have a minute. Just click here: [link].

Image source

SMS service

Automated SMS review request services can send texts after appointments or purchases.

Thanks for visiting [business name]! We value your feedback. Share yours at [link]. [We actually read them!]

Image source

How to ask for reviews by email

Email is a reliable way to ask for reviews. It’s still a powerful way to reach customers: 91% of consumers open emails daily, and 58% check email before anything else online. Plus, you can embed the review platform link directly and A/B test formats and wording. Ask for reviews through email blasts or personal emails. Send one broad email or tailor them to specific segments. Here are some templates:

Review request email template #1

Hey everyone!

Positive reviews from amazing customers like you help others [athletes, parents, artists, etc.] like you feel good about choosing [business name]. Could you spare 60 seconds to visit [link to review platform] and share your positive experiences?

We’re incredibly grateful. Thank you for supporting us!

Review request email template #2

Hey everyone,

Did you know [business name]’s fanbase has doubled since last year? We’re doing something right! And we want to keep it up. Tell us what you think!

If you have 90 seconds, we’d appreciate it if you visited [platform] and left a review. A few sentences are all it takes! This helps us keep delivering the best experience and shows others how [business name] can make their lives easier.

Thank you!

Review request email template #3

Dear [first name]

Thank you for your recent purchase. We hope you love it! If you do, would you consider leaving us a [platform] review? This helps us maintain our high standards and helps others like you find us and make informed [item] decisions.

Thanks in advance!

Review request email template #4

Nothing beats a personal email from the owner to make a customer feel valued. Choose loyal customers or those you want to build lasting relationships with and send a personal thank-you note asking for a review.

Hi [first name],

We have a small favor to ask. Would you mind heading over to [platform] and writing a quick review?

Reviews help us meet your needs and guide others like you in making informed decisions about [your topic].

Review or not, we appreciate you!

Hope to see you soon,

[Name]

Company-wide email

Get your employees involved. Emphasize the importance of reviews and ask them to send personal emails to customers. Let them know they’re directly contributing to the company’s growth, empowering them to participate.

How to ask for reviews after a purchase

Asking for a review right after a purchase makes sense for some businesses, while others might wait to let customers try the product. Tailor your post-purchase review requests accordingly.

Thank you cards

Use a design tool like Canva to create “thank you for your purchase” cards that fit in product packaging, attach to receipts, or accompany mints, encouraging reviews. The card can say:

• “Did you enjoy working with us? Leave a review!”
• “How did we do? Tell us by leaving a review at [link]!”
• “Got feedback? We’d love to hear it! Leave us a review at [link].”

Purchase confirmation emails

Post-purchase emails are prime real estate for review requests. Here are two concise ways to request reviews or feedback in your after-purchase thank you pages:

“Thanks for your purchase! If you enjoyed shopping with us, tell us (and others) about it!” “Thanks for your purchase! If you’re happy with your [new product], please take a minute to review it here [link to review platform].” Chewy’s email is a great example, listing the purchased items with links to review each. We’d love to hear how you and your pet liked these products. Please leave a review so we can share it with other pet parents like you.

This one by Biscuiteers is excellent because it includes other reviews, giving customers a starting point.

Thanks for your recent order. Gift buying should be fun, and we’d love to know how easy you found it. If you have a few minutes to leave a review, we’d be super grateful!

How to ask for reviews on your website

Include a “leave a review” call to action in various places on your website, but consider a dedicated reviews or testimonials page accessible from the main navigation—it’s one of the first things potential customers look for.

Create a “leave us a review” page

This business has a “Reviews” item in their main navigation, allowing visitors to read and leave reviews.

On the “leave a review” page, you’re asked to give a thumbs up or down. Clicking thumbs up prompts you to leave a Google review.

Showcase existing reviews

Display existing reviews on your “leave a review” page. This shows people how short a review can be and gives them a starting point.

Many content management systems offer plugins or scripts to aggregate reviews from other platforms into a feed on this page. You can also add them manually. Either way, display reviews in text form (not screenshots or images) so Google can pick up on those valuable keywords for SEO.

How to ask for reviews from vendors

For B2B businesses, consider asking vendors and partners for reviews. Fellow business owners understand their value, and leaving one on their website or listing might be enough to receive one in return. However, there are other opportunities to ask. In a meeting with a client or partner, don’t hesitate to say:

“Mr. Smith, I’ve really enjoyed working with you on this project and value your perspective. Would you be willing to share your experience by writing a short review for our testimonial page?” Or “Positive feedback from both customers and partners like you helps us attract more great people. We’d truly appreciate it if you could leave a review.”

How to ask for reviews on social media

You can ask for reviews on any platform, but prioritize Facebook as it’s a top review site.

Ask and provide a link

What better place to get Facebook reviews than Facebook itself? In this simple example, this insurance agency writes:

We L VE our customers! Show us some love by leaving a review!

Turn existing reviews into posts

Another approach is sharing reviews on your feed as they come in, like this local business. You can always add a link for others to leave their own.

How NOT to ask for reviews

While you should encourage reviews, there’s a right and a wrong way to go about it. Avoid these approaches:

Offering incentives

Never offer discounts or freebies in exchange for reviews. This violates the terms of many platforms like Yelp and Google and can lead to numerous low-quality or star-only reviews (without text). Reviews are meant to help potential customers, not just benefit the business. However, a pay-it-forward campaign like this one is perfectly acceptable:

For every review we receive, we’ll donate up to $10 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation

Buying reviews

This is strictly prohibited to keep review platforms authentic.

Apologizing for asking

Don’t be afraid to ask! People (67% of them, in fact) are generally willing to leave reviews. They like being heard and will gladly share their thoughts with a company that met their expectations. Plus, you’re empowering them to help others make informed decisions.

Ignoring reviews

Always respond to reviews, both positive and negative. It shows appreciation for the customer’s time, helps build relationships and retain customers, and demonstrates to others that you value customer feedback. Responding also boosts engagement and activity on your listing, which factors into Google’s ranking algorithm.

Final tips on asking for customer reviews

While there are many ways to ask for reviews, the ideal method and platform will vary for each business. Your best bet is to implement a few strategies and experiment to see what works best for you! Just remember:

• Reviews empower your customers to guide other consumers toward smart decisions.
• Be genuine and don’t be pushy.
• Keep emails concise and easy to read.
• Make leaving a review as simple as possible (use short, memorable links for printed materials).
• Remember that customers are often happy to leave reviews.
• Respond to all reviews, good and bad! A steady stream of quality reviews is crucial for your reputation, ranking, and revenue. Follow these tips and implement a review strategy today!