From 0 to 100: A Systematic Approach to Getting Reviews for Your New E-Commerce Business

Introduction

Reviews are the lifeblood of any e-commerce business. They build trust, provide social proof, and can significantly impact your sales. But how do you get reviews, especially when you’re just starting out? In this post, we'll discuss a systematic approach to go from 0 to 100 reviews even if you haven't made a single sale yet.

Start with Your Inner Circle

Friends and Family

• Do: Ask friends and family to review the shopping experience or the usability of your website.
• Don’t: Fake product reviews; honesty is crucial for your brand’s integrity.

Test Users

• Do: Offer your product to a select group of test users for free or at a discounted rate in exchange for a review.
• Don’t: Skip this step; early reviews from actual users are invaluable.

Leverage Social Media

Influencers

• Do: Partner with micro-influencers who align with your brand.
• Don’t: Go for influencers with massive followings but no real engagement or relevance to your product.

Social Media Polls and Quizzes

• Do: Create interactive content where users can give you feedback.
• Don’t: Make it complicated; keep it simple and engaging.

Use Automated Tools

Email Campaigns

• Do: Automate a follow-up email asking for a review after a user has received and used the product.
• Don’t: Spam your customers; one or two gentle reminders should do the trick.

Review Platforms

• Do: Utilize review platforms like Trustpilot, Yelp, or Google My Business to facilitate the review process.
• Don’t: Buy reviews; it’s unethical and could backfire horribly.

Offer Incentives

Discounts and Coupons

• Do: Offer a small discount or a coupon for future purchases in exchange for a review.
• Don’t: Make the discount contingent on a positive review; encourage honest feedback.

Contests and Giveaways

• Do: Host a contest where writing a review gives an entry.
• Don’t: Fail to deliver on contest promises; it can lead to negative reviews.

What If You’re Pre-Revenue?

• Do: Utilize the above tactics on people who have expressed interest but haven’t purchased yet. Their input on why they didn't convert can be golden.
• Don't: Assume you need sales for reviews; reviews of the browsing or shopping experience are valuable too.

Conclusion

Going from 0 to 100 reviews may seem daunting, but with a systematic approach, it’s entirely feasible. By combining different tactics and offering value in exchange for honest reviews, you can create a strong foundation of social proof for your new e-commerce venture.