How to Encourage Customers to Write Reviews in 9 Effective Ways
Getting customers to leave reviews can be frustrating. They might love your product, even tell you how great it is—but when it comes to actually posting a review? Nothing.
It’s not that they don’t want to; they just forget, don’t know where to do it, or feel like it’s too much effort.
The good news? There are easy ways to encourage more reviews without being pushy.
Whether you run a small business, an online store, or a service-based company, this guide will show you simple, effective strategies to get more customers sharing their feedback—naturally.
Is It Okay to Encourage Customers to Write a Review?
DEFINITELY. Encouraging customers to leave a review is completely fine as long as it’s done ethically.
Just make sure you’re not pressuring them, offering incentives that violate platform guidelines, or manipulating the feedback—focus on making it easy and natural for them to share their honest experience.
How to Encourage Customers to Leave a Review
Our top recommendations are to make it easy for customers to leave a review, ask at the most appropriate time, and offer a small incentive to encourage action—all of which are discussed below.
1. Make It Easy
The harder it is to leave a review, the less likely customers will do it. People don’t have the time (or patience) to hunt down where to leave feedback, so make the process seamless.
How to make it easy:
Send a direct link – Whether via email, SMS, or a post-purchase message, give them a one-click path to your review page (Google, Trustpilot, Yelp, etc.).
Use QR codes – Add them to receipts, packaging, or thank-you notes. Scanning should take them directly to a review form.
Create a review landing page – If your business has multiple review platforms, a simple webpage with all the links in one place can make it easier for customers to choose where to leave feedback.
Automate reminders – If you have a CRM or email marketing tool, set up automated follow-ups that politely remind customers to leave a review. Tools like SurgePoint Reviews can help streamline this process by automatically requesting reviews at the right time, ensuring more customers follow through without any extra effort on your part.
💡 Bonus tip:
If you have repeat customers, don’t ask for a review every single time they buy—it can feel spammy. Space out requests to avoid overdoing it.
2. Ask at the Right Time
Catching customers at the right moment can make a huge difference. If they’ve just had a great experience, they’re more likely to take a few minutes to share it. But wait too long, and they might forget the details or lose motivation.
Best moments to ask for a review:
• Right after a purchase – If it’s an online order, send an email when the product arrives (not immediately after checkout).
• After a service is completed – Whether it’s a haircut, a car repair, or a home cleaning, a quick ask at the end of the service can be effective.
• When they give you verbal praise – If a customer tells you, “This is amazing!” or “I love your product,” that’s the perfect time to ask, “That means a lot! Would you mind sharing that in a review?”
• After they engage with your brand positively – If they comment something great on your social media or reply to an email with positive feedback, that’s an ideal moment to encourage a review.
💡 Bonus tip:
For businesses that offer ongoing services (e.g., SaaS, subscriptions), check customer engagement data. If a user has been actively using your service for a while and hasn’t left a review, a friendly email nudge can work well. Platforms like SurgePoint Insights help track customer sentiment and engagement, making it easier to identify the best time to request a review.
3. Offer a Small Incentive (the Right Way)
Let’s be real—people are more likely to take action when there’s something in it for them. A small incentive can give customers the extra push they need to leave a review.
But, you have to be careful because platforms like Google and Yelp prohibit paying for reviews or offering direct rewards in exchange for positive feedback.
How to do it ethically:
• Offer a general incentive – Instead of saying “Leave a review and get a discount,” frame it as “Help us improve by sharing your feedback! As a thank you, you’ll be entered into our monthly giveaway.”
• Use a loyalty program – If you have a points-based system, customers can earn points for engaging with your brand, including leaving reviews.
• Create a community-driven challenge – For example, “We’re on a mission to collect 500 honest reviews this month! Join the movement and share your thoughts.”
• Feature reviewers – Highlight customer reviews on your website, social media, or emails. Some people love being recognized and are more likely to participate if they know their words might be shared.
💡 Bonus tip:
If incentives aren’t an option, make the review process feel rewarding in other ways—like personally responding to every review or offering a heartfelt thank-you. For businesses looking to build organic word-of-mouth marketing, referral programs like SurgePoint Referrals can help encourage existing customers to spread the word in exchange for small perks.
4. Show Off Existing Reviews
Reviews don’t just help potential customers decide—they also encourage others to leave their own feedback. When people see others sharing their experiences, they’re more likely to join in. It’s the bandwagon effect in action.
Ways to highlight reviews effectively:
• Feature them on your website – Dedicate a section on your homepage or product pages to showcase real customer testimonials. If possible, add photos or videos from customers to make them more authentic.
• Create social media posts – Share standout reviews as graphics, Instagram Stories, or carousel posts. A simple “Shoutout to [customer name] for this awesome feedback! 💛” keeps the spotlight on them while promoting your brand.
• Use them in emails – Add a “What Our Customers Are Saying” section in newsletters or order confirmation emails. It subtly encourages new buyers to leave their own review.
• Incorporate them into ads – User-generated reviews make great ad copy. A customer’s real words can be more persuasive than any marketing message you create yourself.
💡 Bonus tip:
Personalize the recognition. If a customer left an amazing review, reach out and thank them personally. They’ll appreciate it and may even update their review later with additional positive details. To take it a step further, businesses can use SurgePoint Repeat to re-engage satisfied customers, encouraging them to leave a review or return for another purchase.
5. Be Active on Social Media
Your customers are already talking about products and experiences on social media—your job is to make sure they’re talking about yours. Social media isn’t just a marketing tool; it’s a conversation hub where you can encourage more organic reviews.
How to use social media to boost reviews:
• Encourage tagging – Let customers know you’d love to see how they use your product. Phrases like “Tag us in your posts for a chance to be featured!” work well.
• Repost user-generated content – If someone shares a photo or story about your brand, reshare it! This builds engagement and subtly encourages others to post about their experience, too.
• Engage in the comments – If a follower leaves positive feedback in a comment, reply with something like, “That’s awesome to hear! Would you be open to sharing that in a quick review? It would mean the world to us!”
• Run review-related challenges – Try a “Review & Win” campaign, where customers who leave reviews (even without incentives) get a chance to be featured or win a shoutout.
💡 Bonus tip:
Use polls and questions on Instagram Stories or Twitter/X to casually ask customers about their experiences. The more engaged they are, the more likely they’ll want to leave a formal review later.
6. Respond to Reviews (Good & Bad)
A review is only the beginning of the conversation. How you respond to it—especially the negative ones—can either strengthen trust or damage your brand’s reputation.
Why responding to reviews matters:
• It shows appreciation – When someone takes the time to leave a positive review, a simple “Thank you! We’re so glad you loved it” makes them feel valued.
• It reassures potential customers – New buyers check reviews and how businesses respond. If they see that you care, they’ll be more confident in choosing you.
• It turns negative experiences around – A bad review doesn’t have to be the end of the story. A professional, empathetic response can improve customer perception and even get them to revise their review.
How to respond to different types of reviews:
• Positive reviews: Thank them by name, highlight something specific from their review, and invite them back. Example:
“Thanks, Lisa! We love hearing how much you enjoyed [product/service]! Let us know if you ever need anything else. 😊”
• Neutral reviews (3 stars): Acknowledge their feedback and ask how you can improve. Example:
“Hey John, thanks for your honest feedback! We’d love to know what we can do to make your experience even better next time.”
• Negative reviews: Stay calm, don’t get defensive, and offer a resolution. Example:
“Hi Mike, we’re really sorry to hear this. Customer satisfaction is our priority, and we’d love to make things right. Could you reach out to us at [contact info]?”
💡 Bonus tip:
If a customer updates their negative review to a positive one after you resolve their issue, thank them again publicly. It builds credibility and shows you genuinely care.
7. Explain Why Reviews Matter
Most customers don’t realize how valuable their reviews are—not just for businesses but for other shoppers, too. People often assume reviews are just for complaining or raving, but they also shape purchasing decisions, build trust, and influence brand reputation.
How to educate customers on the importance of reviews:
• Add a short note on confirmation pages/emails – After checkout, let customers know how much their feedback helps. A simple message like:
“Your feedback helps us improve and helps other shoppers make informed choices. We’d love to hear your thoughts!”
• Explain in your review request – Instead of just saying, “Leave us a review,” frame it as:
“We love hearing from our customers! Whether it’s something great or something we can improve, your review helps us and other shoppers.”
• Use social proof as an example – If you already have strong reviews, highlight how customer feedback has influenced improvements in your business. Example:
“Thanks to reviews from customers like you, we’ve recently upgraded [feature/service]. Keep the feedback coming!”
• Mention it in conversations – If you have in-person interactions, train your team to naturally mention reviews. For example, at checkout:
“If you have a minute, we’d love a quick review! It really helps small businesses like ours grow.”
💡 Bonus tip:
If your business has a mission-driven aspect (e.g., sustainability, community impact), highlight how reviews support it. Example:
“Every review you leave helps us continue our commitment to [cause]. We appreciate your support!”
8. Use User-Generated Content (UGC)
Customers trust other customers more than brands. That’s why user-generated content (UGC)—real photos, videos, and testimonials from your customers—is so powerful. When people see others posting about your brand, they’re more likely to engage and leave their own feedback.
How to leverage UGC for more reviews:
• Create a hashtag for your brand – Encourage customers to share their experiences using a branded hashtag. Example:
“Tag us in your posts using #MyBrandExperience for a chance to be featured!”
• Feature customer photos & reviews – Share them in your Instagram Stories, highlight them in your feed, or display them on your website. Seeing real people vouch for your brand encourages others to do the same.
• Turn UGC into testimonials – If someone posts a great experience on social media, ask for permission to use it as a testimonial on your site. Most customers will say yes!
• Engage with UGC – Like, comment, and share customer posts to show appreciation. A simple “Thanks for sharing! We love seeing this!” encourages more people to post about your brand.
• Incorporate UGC in ads – Run social media ads using real customer photos and reviews instead of staged product shots. Authenticity sells!
💡 Bonus tip:
If a customer posts an amazing story about your product, don’t just repost it—follow up with a DM thanking them and asking if they’d also leave a review on your site.
9. Keep It Legal
Fake or incentivized reviews might seem like a quick way to boost ratings, but they come with serious risks.
The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) and platforms like Google, Yelp, and Amazon have strict rules against fake or misleading reviews. If they catch you, your reviews can be removed, and your business could face penalties.
How to stay compliant with review guidelines:
• Avoid buying or fabricating reviews – Posting fake reviews (or asking employees/friends to do so) can backfire. Customers can often tell when a review isn’t genuine.
• Don’t require only positive reviews – If you offer incentives (like discounts or giveaways), don’t condition them on a 5-star review. Instead, ask for honest feedback. A fair request:
“We’d love to hear about your experience—good or bad! Your feedback helps us improve.”
• Disclose partnerships and influencer reviews – If an influencer or affiliate promotes your brand, they need to disclose their relationship. Phrases like “#ad” or “sponsored” are required.
• Monitor and report fake reviews – If competitors or bots leave fake negative reviews on your page, report them immediately to the platform.
💡 Bonus tip:
Google and Yelp penalize businesses that try to manipulate reviews. Instead of shortcuts, focus on getting genuine feedback from satisfied customers—it builds trust in the long run.
Final Thoughts
At SurgePoint, we make it easy to collect and manage customer reviews, increase referrals, and improve retention so you can focus on what matters most—running your business.
Check out more topics on our blog, where we take a deep dive into ‘How to Respond Properly to Bad Reviews’ and ‘How to Ask for a Review’, packed with insights to help you grow your business.
In conclusion, building a strong review system isn’t about tricking customers into leaving feedback—it’s about making it easy, natural, and rewarding for them. Educate them on why reviews matter, engage with them on social media, and always keep things honest.
Got questions? Reach out to us, and we’ll make sure you’re taken care of.
