How to Ask Customers for Reviews on Etsy: The Ultimate Guide
There is a fact that how to ask customers for reviews on Etsy is more art than science because there’s no fixed formula for that. In the ideal scenario, a customer will tell you something you never expected. That’s what you want to dive into to improve your Etsy business.
In this article, we will:
-
- Tell you why customer reviews matter
- Guide you when and how to ask customers for reviews on Etsy effectively
- Show you how to deal with Etsy customer feedback
- And more!
Don’t wait anymore, let’s check it out!
1. Why do you need to ask customers for reviews on Etsy?
According to Global Newswire, 95% of customers read product reviews before engaging with or purchasing from a business.
In other words, customer reviews or any sort of feedback from a customer is the sole thing a brand lives upon. Nothing propels the brand image as much as positive reviews do. And similarly, nothing could hurt it more than negative ones.
This is the reason why you should pay attention to the question “How do you ask customers for their reviews” because the testimonials can:
-
- Increased credibility and trustworthiness: Positive reviews from verified customers serve as social proof that can build trust and credibility for the brand.
- Improved Etsy visibility: Etsy often prioritizes products and shops with a larger volume of positive reviews, making them more visible to potential customers.
- Enhanced decision-making for potential customers: Detailed reviews provide valuable insights that can help prospective customers make more informed purchasing decisions.
- Opportunities for product/service improvements: Negative reviews can offer constructive criticism or highlight areas for improvement that the company may have overlooked
- Expanded word-of-mouth marketing: Positive reviews can lead to increased recommendations and referrals from satisfied customers.
It can be said that testimonials go a long way and customers seem to be increasingly relying on them, especially on a marketplace like Etsy. There are many ways to go about getting the testimonials you need to build customer confidence in your online business. Let’s keep scrolling down to explore them with us!
> In addition to getting more reviews, you can take a look at this article on How to get more views on Etsy and actually make sales to learn some helpful practices and boost your brand!
2. When should you ask for a review on Etsy?
Don’t jump the gun.
You should wait until your customers had a chance to revel in the sheer awesomeness of your products, then ask them for feedback. That’s the sweet spot when they’re most likely to shout your praises.
To be more specific, you can:
-
- Add a small thank you note on the packaging of your product, where you can ask for a rating
- Or send the automated email after several days when the product is delivered
In addition, you have to figure out when is the perfect time to ask for a testimonial.
If you just achieved a milestone with a client, just ask, as nothing to hesitate about. The customer was super satisfied with your product/service, so you‘ll probably get a good testimonial.
On the other hand, if your customers had any bad experience with your product/service recently, avoid asking for a testimonial at that time. For example, for several reasons, your products are not delivered to their final destination on time as they should. You understand that their last impression is usually the one they take into consideration when reviewing, and this is not the kind of feedback you want. You can look for another chance to ask for a more positive review.
But how to ask Etsy customers for reviews politely? There are some helpful practices you should follow to get your testimonials, let’s check them out in the next section.
3. How to request a review on Etsy?
3.1. Choose proper questions
There are some questions for you to include in your request for Etsy review:
-
- How did you feel about this product?
- What did you want to accomplish with your product or service?
- You recently bought X, how satisfied are you with your product/service?
- What do you like about it?
- Did the product achieve your expectations?
- How did the purchase make you feel?
3.2. Customize Etsy default email
Etsy automatically sends follow-up messages to buyers, encouraging them to leave reviews. As a seller, you can personalize these messages with a thank-you note and a friendly reminder to share their feedback.
3.3. Write your own follow-up emails
In addition to Etsy emails, you can set up your own follow-up emails. Your email should provide a clear, easy-as-pie way for them to leave that review. No one wants to navigate a labyrinth to share their thoughts.
In your email, you can save a discount on their next purchase, or entry into a giveaway can be the cherry on top. But remember, you’re looking for genuine feedback, not for exchanging good reviews.
3.4. Send a thank-you note
You can include a pre-printed card in each package you ship. It kindly suggests the customer let you know if they have any trouble with their order or consider leaving feedback if they are happy with their purchase.
4. Examples of Etsy review requests
To better demonstrate how to ask for a review on Etsy, below are some specific samples:
-
- Sample 1:
Dear [customer name],
We hope this email finds you well.
We wanted to check in and see if you’ve had a chance to enjoy your recent purchase of [product name]. We want to hear about your experience with our products.
Your feedback means a lot, so please take a quick moment to share how your experience went with reaching out to our support team. Please leave the review on our shop: [link]
Getting your feedback helps us to improve, and it only takes a few minutes! Thank you so much.
-
- Sample 2:
Dear [customer name],
At [your shop name], we’re always trying to ensure our merchants receive great products. We hope you’re enjoying your [product name]! It’s one of our favorites, too.
All we ask is that you take a moment to leave a review for your recent order: [link]
We’d like to thank each and every member of our community for sharing their experience, thoughts, and feedback with us. Your feedback is at the heart of every product decision we make 🙏.
5. What to do after getting a review on Etsy?
Yes, you get Etsy reviews already. What to do next?
No doubt that you must interact with reviews, both positive and negative. Brands that reply at least 25% of the time see 35% more revenue on average, so the time is well spent.
Once you have positive reviews, you can spread the love across your marketing channels, featuring all your amazing user-generated content on landing pages, testimonial ads, Instagram posts, and more.
But if you get a positive review, don’t be too nervous.
When someone cares enough about your products to actually tell you what bothered them so much, that’s absolute gold for you. Negative reviews can be an opportunity to potentially do things better next time or to make a patch to fix what’s already been done this time.
Therefore, if it is genuine negative feedback, listen to it, find out where you went wrong, reply to it politely, try to find a way to learn and grow from the experience, and start again.
(*): However, in case you get a hate speech or threat and wonder how to delete a review on Etsy, please check our detailed guide for an appropriate solution.
6. Common pitfalls to avoid when asking for Etsy reviews
-
- Don’t buy or fake reviews
Etsy does not allow any sellers to buy or fake reviews, both positive and negative ones. Don’t use this stupid method unless you want your shop to be removed or risk account suspension.
-
- Don’t spam too many requests
Yes, we recommend that you should keep the lines of communication open by sending follow-up emails to your customers, but be careful. You should avoid sending multiple review requests for the same purchase because it can be off-putting to customers. Timing is key.
-
- Don’t force 5-star reviews
To keep review platforms honest and accurate, Etsy, like other platforms, does not accept 5-star reviews that are forced to write.
-
- Don’t use a generic request
No one likes to feel like just another cog in the wheel, including your customers. In your email or in thank-you notes, you should address your customers by name, mention what they purchased, and show that you remember them. It’s like catching up with an old friend, you’re more likely to share if you feel valued.
7. The last words
In conclusion, we hope that this article brings you a comprehensive guide on how to ask customers for reviews on Etsy with helpful tips and informative insights. Online reviews can make or break an Etsy business, keep an eye on it!
And don’t forget to subscribe to Masstic to unlock more valuable resources to open the successful door to your Etsy journey!
FAQs:
How do you politely ask for a good review?
You can follow these tips to increase the chance of getting a positive feedback:
– Simplify the review process with a detailed guide
– Personalize your requests when asking for a review
– Don’t send too many requests at the same time, and also don’t wait too long to send a request (the customers might forget their order!)
– Keep your language short, easy to understand, and sweet
– Express your gratitude if your customers can leave a review
How long do buyers have to leave a review on Etsy?
Starting from the order’s estimated delivery date, the customers have 100 days to write a review. If your customers buy digital items, they can leave a review right after they download your file(s). The products must have been purchased on Etsy.com or the Etsy app.
Can customers leave reviews on Etsy if they check out as guests?
No, they can’t. Guest orders must be added to an Etsy account in order to leave a review.