In today’s eCommerce world, product reviews are the lifeblood of a successful online store. Buyers want social proof, and reviews can often make the difference between a sale and a missed opportunity.
But what happens when your store is new, or you don’t have enough reviews? Should you buy them? While the temptation might be there, buying reviews is never in your best interest.
Why Do Some eCommerce Stores Buy Product Reviews?
Let’s face it — good reviews can boost your brand’s reputation and drive sales. In fact, products with at least 50 reviews are 4.6x more likely to be purchased than those without. It’s no wonder some stores are willing to take the shortcut of buying reviews to jumpstart their growth. But there’s a catch: fake reviews can backfire, destroying the trust you’ve worked so hard to build.
The Value Of Positive Reviews
Positive reviews are golden. They show potential buyers that your product is worth every penny. Shoppers want real opinions from real people, they are more likely to trust the brand and make a purchase.
The Cost of Negative Reviews
Negative reviews can severely impact your brand. Even one negative review can overshadow multiple positive ones. If customers realize that you’ve resorted to purchasing fake positive reviews, do you think they would feel more or less inclined to trust your brand?
The Fake Review Ecosystem
The rise of fake reviews has created an entire ecosystem built around deception. Amazon, for example, has faced significant scrutiny for its fake review problem. Some businesses even use fake review apps to boost their online presence.
Getting Banned from Platforms
Platforms like Google and Shopify are strict when it comes to fake reviews. If they catch you, your store could be banned, and regaining your reputation will be difficult, if not impossible. Shopify even has a specific policy against fake reviews, which you can learn more about in this blog post.
How to Get Real, Verified Reviews for Your Store?
You don’t need to resort to buying fake reviews. With the right strategies, you can encourage your customers to leave real, verified reviews that add genuine value to your store.
- Use Product Inserts in Your Packaging : Including a note in your product packaging that asks customers to leave a review can be highly effective. It adds a personal touch and shows you care about their experience.
- Make Leaving Reviews Easy: The easier it is for customers to leave a review, the more likely they are to do so. Fera automates this by prompting feedback right after order.
- Offer Incentives : Offer discounts to customers who leave reviews, ensuring you encourage honest feedback. Fera makes it easy to integrate these incentives into your store.
- Follow Up at the Right Time with Email : Sending follow-up emails shortly after product delivery can boost response rates. Setting specific conditions in your email campaigns can also improve engagement.
- Leverage Your Customer Service: Your customer service team is often the last point of contact and can greatly influence reviews. Train them to ask for feedback after resolving issues or providing excellent service.
Buying reviews might seem like a quick fix, but it’s a risky move that can hurt your brand in the long run. Trust, once lost, is incredibly hard to regain. Instead, focus on creating genuine connections with your customers and encouraging them to leave real, verified reviews.
Fera makes it easy to collect and showcase reviews that build trust and boost sales. In the end, authenticity wins 🏆, and your brand will thrive with honest feedback.
