Why You Should be Asking for Customer Reviews

Take a moment to think about the last time you purchased an item online.

You probably started by browsing a few images before you found something you liked. Maybe you moved on to the product description. You read an incredible story about the item and picture exactly how it would fit into your life.

But how do you know if the store is trustworthy and the copy isn’t just a piece of fantasy writing?

You go to the customer reviews. Whether it’s a star system or a score out of five, there are always comments from people who have purchased the product. They explain in detail their experience with the object and the online store. Good or bad.

You’re not the only one who does this. Customer reviews can be the deciding factor if someone adds a product to their cart or searches for the same item in another store. If you don’t currently ask for them after every purchase, here’s why you should start.

How Customer Reviews Help Your Online Store

The more customer reviews you have on your store, the more likely people will shop with your brand. But there are other advantages to encouraging buyers to leave their thoughts on their shopping experience.

Establishes Social Proof

When customers purchase products online, many will do their research. They’re not just searching for the best price. They want to know that you can be trusted and provide a great shopping experience.

Customer reviews let all potential buyers know what they’re in for when they purchase a product from your store. If your items are as described and buyers receive them when you say they will get delivered, they are more likely to leave a glowing review.

Improves SEO

Google publishes customer feedback when people search for items on the popular search engine. The more reviews for your products, the higher your page will appear in the results. The same goes for testimonials on your Google Business listing and social media pages.

Many customers are also likely to use prominent keywords in their reviews. These will also help improve where your online store appears in search results. It’s even better if they use your brand’s name in the comments, especially if it’s positive feedback.

Creates a Connection

When adding the ability to leave customer reviews, you should also include the option to respond to them. Whether it’s a positive or negative comment, it’s an excellent idea to thank them for taking the time to leave feedback and reply to their points.

Your customers will want to know they have been heard. They will appreciate you for responding to their feedback and comments. This feedback also helps you improve your business so you can continue offering excellent buying experiences.

How to Ask for Customer Reviews

The simplest way to get customer reviews is to just ask for them. The key is to make it easy for buyers to leave feedback. You can encourage shoppers to write about their experiences in multiple ways. Some of the most popular are:

• Ask for a customer review after they’ve finalised their purchase
• Add a banner to the Branded Tracking Portal requesting feedback
• Send an email survey once their parcel has been delivered
• Ask your social media followers to leave a review

Don’t Let Fulfilment Impact Your Customer Reviews

Many customer reviews don’t just focus on the product they’ve purchased. The buyer will talk through the entire purchase journey. It includes navigating your website to receiving the item. That’s why you need a robust fulfilment strategy to ensure your parcels are delivered quickly and safely.

Interparcel’s multicarrier shipping solutions provide everything you need to get parcels in the hands of your customers. Our Shipping Manager integrates with many popular ecommerce platforms so you can manage orders in one place, and our Branded Tracking Portal lets your buyer know where their parcel is at all times. Don’t let fulfilment impact your customer reviews. Learn more about Interparcel’s suite of free shipping solutions today!