Quick Info:

Why care?	Taking 10 minutes to set up an automation that could save you hours & make you money is worth caring about!
Cost:	Part of your monthly ESP cost
Who should do this:	All businesses who sell online.
Platform:	Email Service Provider (ESP)

Why is gathering reviews so crucial for your business growth and success?

Humans look to one another for social validation when we’re making decisions.

So, if someone we know and trust likes a particular brand, we’re more likely to develop a liking and a trust in the same brands, because of this subconscious social agreement.

For your brand, this means you can decrease the resistance it takes for a potential customer to decide to buy.

Step 1: Integrate your your ESP (Ex: MailChimp) with your e-commerce platform (ex: Shopify)

You may be using the email capabilities within your own website, (eg: the new and improved emailing features within Shopify) and if you are, then you can skip this step, you’re already integrated. 

If you use a seperate ESP (which is very common) like MailChimp, Mailerlite, Kit, Klayvio, etc, then you will want to make sure your website is integrated with your email sender. 

To do this, simply Google:

How to integrate [name of your website provider] with [name of your email provider]

And you will find a plethora of videos to help you set it up. Most platforms play nice with others, and there will likely be a simple way to check this off. 

Step 2: Craft a Compelling Email Template

Next, create a branded email template that you will send to all customers after they make a purchase.

Include a:

• personalized greeting
• thank-you message for their past purchase
• & a direct request for a review

Make sure to keep it concise and highlight the importance of their feedback.

Include a large Call to Action (CTA) button which will direct them to your review platform of choice. (Ex: Google Reviews, or a review collection app embedded in your website.)

Step 3: Decide When Your Email Will Send

Consider how long it takes for the customer to typically receive their purchase and have an opportunity to start using it. A common timeline would be 1-2 weeks from the date of purchase.

You want them to be feeling excited about your product when you ask for the review.

Step 4: Set Up the Automation

Create an automation that is triggered by a customer making a purchase.

The next step in the automation will be your time delay that you decided above.

The next step in the automation is to set up your email so it sends at the end of the time delay. 

Here’s an idea of what that looks like on my ESP:

*Not sure how to create an automation on your ESP? A quick google is usually all you need to find lots of resources.

Step 5: Test

Before launching your automated campaign, test the process to ensure that emails are being sent correctly and that the links to leave reviews are working properly.

Monitor & Adjust

Once your automated review request system is in place, make a plan to check it once a month to make sure it is running smoothly, and gather data like:

• How many people have opened the email? (open rates)
• How many people click the button to leave a review? (click-through rate)
• And how many people have actually left a review? (conversion rate)

This information helps you understand how effective your email is. If you notice it’s not getting much attention, you can edit the message to try to get more engagement.

If it’s working well, leave it alone and let it do its work. 😎

Automating your review request process using email is truly a game-changer. Not only does it slash your admin time, it also helps grow your credibility & trust-factor online, making it easier for future visitors to become customers!

TODAY’S TASK

✅ Follow the 5 steps listed above to set up your own review request automation.

Do One Thing to automate your admin tasks and receive more time, increased sales & customer trust!