How to get more reviews for your online store (and where to show them)
Reviews are one of the strongest trust signals for online stores. How to ask for them, when to ask, and where to show them so they actually help you sell.
The most reliable way to get more reviews is to ask every customer at the right moment: a short, friendly email a few days after the order arrives, with a one-click star rating and an easy way to add a photo. Make it simple, never pay for positive reviews, and reply to the critical ones. Then show reviews where buying decisions happen: the star rating near the product price, review highlights on the homepage, and full reviews lower on the product page.
- Ask every customer, a few days after delivery, with a simple one-click rating.
- Photo reviews are especially convincing. Make adding one easy.
- Never buy reviews or only show positive ones. It breaks trust and often the rules.
- Show the star rating next to the price, where shoppers decide.
When and how to ask
- 1Wait until the order has arrived and the customer has had time to use it: often a few days after delivery.
- 2Send a short email with a one-click star rating right in the email.
- 3Make it personal: from you, not "no-reply", with the product photo.
- 4Invite a photo, which makes reviews much more convincing.
- 5Send one reminder, not five.
Review apps for Shopify, WooCommerce and other platforms can send these emails automatically.
What not to do
- Don't pay for positive reviews or offer rewards only for good ones.
- Don't hide negative reviews. A few honest critical reviews make the positive ones more believable.
- Don't write reviews yourself or ask friends to.
Fake or selectively filtered reviews break shoppers' trust and can break consumer protection rules in many countries.
Where to show reviews
- Next to the price on product pages: the star rating and review count.
- On the homepage: your overall rating near the top and a few short highlights.
- In collections: stars under each product.
- Full reviews lower on the product page, with photos first.
More on this in our guide to ecommerce trust signals.
Reply to reviews
Thank people for positive reviews, and reply calmly and helpfully to negative ones: apologise, explain what you'll do, and offer to sort it out. Future shoppers read your replies as much as the reviews themselves.
Not sure whether your reviews are visible where it counts? Run a free StorePeek check; social proof is one of the checks on every report.
Frequently asked questions
How many reviews do I need?
Even a handful of genuine reviews is far better than none. Keep asking every customer and the number grows steadily.
Should I show reviews from other sites?
Reviews from independent platforms can add credibility, as long as you show them accurately and link to the source where possible.
What if I don't have any reviews yet?
Ask your first customers personally, and show other trust signals in the meantime: clear returns, delivery times, contact details and real photos of you or your workshop.