When it comes to online reviews, word-of-mouth marketing, references, and your happy customers are the lifeblood of your business.

Not only are they likely to refer others to you (yay for free marketing!), but they can also speak volumes about your business with online reviews.

So how do you get those glowing recommendations from your happiest customers? Check out these 7 clever ways!

Why are Customer Reviews so Critical?

Most people today do a lot of their product research online, and customer reviews or testimonials are one of the primary sources of information that people look at when deciding to make a purchase.

Customer reviews

This is because customer reviews are more trustworthy than marketing material. In short, customer reviews are essential because they can help other customers make informed decisions about whether or not to purchase a product.

When customers take the time to write or record positive reviews, they're invested in the product and want to help others make an informed decision.

And when businesses respond to customer reviews, it shows that they're paying attention to feedback and care about their customers. So overall, customer reviews are essential because they help consumers and businesses make better decisions.

Benefits of Customer Reviews

1. Build Brand Trust

Yes. "89% of consumers read reviews before making an online purchase." There seems to be no denying that reviews can provide helpful information on products or services, which will lead to better potential customers for your business's development.

Build brand trust

Positive feedback is the best way to protect your business's reputation. Buyers rely on word of mouth, and when they hear good things, they are more inclined to buy from you than someone else!

2. Credibility & Social Proof

Customer reviews provide credibility and social proof. They help people feel confident in making a purchase and show that others have had a good experience with the product or service.

We are inherently social beings from the instant we enter this world, and we want to learn what other people think before making our purchases.

Anyone can do this online with just a few mouse clicks, much like we would ask friends and relatives for suggestions.

3. Increase CTR and Conversions

Every business depends on reviews and star ratings in SERPs to determine which companies are near them.

If you're getting good feedback, there's a higher chance that people will click your company when they see it because of how trustworthy customers find these rankings.

Also Read: How To Collect Customer Testimonials (with VideoForm)

4. Create Customer Loyalty

Positive customer reviews can create customer loyalty, making customers feel appreciated and heard.

When customers feel that their feedback has been taken into account and results in a positive change, they are more likely to return in the future and recommend the company to others.

Customer loyalty

On the other hand, negative customer reviews can have the opposite effect, damaging customer loyalty. This is because customers may feel that their feedback has not been listened to or taken seriously and that their complaints have fallen on deaf ears. As a result, they may be less likely to return or recommend the company.

5. Gain Insight into Customer Needs

Yes, in many cases, consistent customer reviews help companies understand product performance to the point that they can optimize or rename products for future use.

Customer needs

Most consumers are hesitant to give their opinion publicly. Nevertheless, when reviewing a product on an online site, they are likely to offer more accurate feedback than in person because it's easier for them to speak their minds.

7 Clever Ways to Ask for Reviews From Your Happy Customers

1. The Direct Approach

The simplest way to get a review is simply to ask for one. Then, when a customer has had a positive experience with your business, let them know that you would appreciate a review on your website or one of the popular review sites.

2. The Email Signature

Another easy way to ask for reviews is to include a link to your profile page on a review site in your email signature. This will allow customers who have had a good experience with you to leave feedback with just a few clicks.

3. Social Media Posts

If you're active on social media, consider asking for reviews in your posts. You can either tag your customers in the post or mention them directly in the text. Either way, it's an easy way to get more exposure for your request.

Social media posts

4. Customer Follow-Up Emails

After a purchase has been made, send your customers a follow-up email asking them to leave a review. This is an incredibly effective tactic if you provide excellent customer service – your happy customers will be more than happy to leave feedback!

Also Read: Remote Selling & How It Helps Businesses to Drive Higher ROI?

5. The Pop-up Request for Review

The easiest way to implement this strategy is by using a free tool. With the click of a button, you can add a popup request for reviews on your website or in an app. You can even target specific pages and promotions for maximum impact!

This method can be easily combined with other strategies such as email requests and social media posts.

For example, if someone leaves you a review via one of these methods, follow up quickly with another message that thanks them again and includes an additional pop-up asking them to leave feedback elsewhere (such as Google+).

This will allow you to cover all major platforms while maintaining efficiency across your sales funnel.

6. Call to Follow-Up and Ask to Take a Video

It's not unusual for new firms to go out of their way to contact their consumers. In this sense, making a phone call and directly speaking with clients is becoming more popular and offers a great experience.

Video Testimonials

Also, make sure to request the customer to record a video testimonial to share on social media platforms and websites.

Video testimonials are more convincing than other types of reviews because they offer real people talking about how great your product or service is.

It's hard to know if the person on camera uses what they're promoting. Still, videos of customers using products firsthand or talking about the product give off authenticity that can't be matched by just reading words aloud!

7. Swap Testimonials and Reviews with Other Businesses

Yes, it is possible to swap testimonials and reviews with other businesses. Many businesses do third-party reviews to improve their online presence and appear more credible.

There are a few things to keep in mind when swapping testimonials and reviews:

- Make sure that the other business is credible and has a good reputation.

- Only swap testimonials and reviews with businesses that you trust.

- Be sure to review the terms of service before you agree to swap testimonials and reviews. This will help protect both businesses from any legal issues that may arise in a great way.

All in All

After reading this blog post, you should better understand how to ask for reviews from your happy customers.

We hope that by following some simple yet effective tips and tricks that we've shared with you in this article, you will be able to get more favorable customer feedback.

Let us know if any other clever ways work well for asking for reviews – we would love to hear about them!