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Best Practices for Review Requests
Best Practices for Review Requests
Roxy avatar
Written by Roxy
Updated over 4 months ago

Managing customer reviews effectively is crucial for both franchisors and franchisees to maintain a strong online reputation and foster positive customer relationships.

PromoRepublic offers various tools to streamline and enhance your review management efforts. This guide outlines best practices for requesting reviews through email, SMS, and QR codes, incorporating both manual and automated workflows.

Email Review Requests

Manual Workflow

  1. Personalize your emails

    ☝️Why: Personalized emails have higher open and response rates.

    πŸ‘‰How: Address the customer by their name and mention specific details about their recent purchase or experience.

  2. Timing is key

    ☝️Why: Sending review requests at the right time increases the likelihood of receiving feedback.

    πŸ‘‰How: Send the email within 24-48 hours of the customer’s interaction with your business when their experience is still fresh.

  3. The clear and concise subject line

    ☝️ Why: A clear subject line increases the open rate of your email.

    πŸ‘‰How: Use subject lines like β€œHow Was Your Experience?” or β€œWe Value Your Feedback.”

  4. Include a direct link to the review platform

    ☝️ Why: Simplifying the process makes it easier for customers to leave a review.

    πŸ‘‰Β How: Include a direct link to your review page on Google, Yelp, or your preferred platform.

Automated Workflow

  1. Use email marketing software

    ☝️ Why: Automation saves time and ensures consistency.

    πŸ‘‰ How: Set up automated emails using platforms like Mailchimp, SendGrid, or PromoRepublic.

  2. Segment your audience

    ☝️ Why: Targeted emails are more effective.

    πŸ‘‰ How: Segment your customers based on their interaction history, purchase frequency, or demographics.

  3. A/B testing

    ☝️ Why: Testing different approaches can help you find the most effective strategy.

    πŸ‘‰ How: Experiment with different email templates, subject lines, and sending times.

  4. Follow-up reminders

    ☝️ Why: Gentle reminders can boost response rates.

    πŸ‘‰ How: Set up automated follow-up emails if the initial request is not responded to within a week.

SMS Review Requests

Manual Workflow

  1. Personalize your message

    ☝️ Why: Personalized messages feel more genuine and less intrusive.

    πŸ‘‰ How: Use the customer’s name and reference their recent interaction.

  2. Keep it short and sweet

    ☝️ Why: SMS messages have limited characters.

    πŸ‘‰ How: Be concise and to the point, e.g., β€œHi [Name], thank you for visiting [Business]. Please leave us a review: [Link].”

  3. Provide a direct link

    ☝️ Why: Direct links simplify the review process.

    πŸ‘‰ How: Use URL shorteners like Bitly to make the link shorter and more manageable.

Automated Workflow

  1. Use SMS marketing tools

    ☝️ Why: Automation ensures timely and consistent requests.

    πŸ‘‰ How: Utilize tools like Twilio, EZ Texting, or PromoRepublic to automate SMS review requests.

  2. Timing and frequency

    ☝️ Why: The right timing can significantly impact response rates.

    πŸ‘‰ How: Schedule messages to be sent shortly after the customer’s interaction and set up reminders if no response is received.

  3. Opt-in compliance

    ☝️ Why: Adhering to regulations avoids legal issues and customer dissatisfaction.

    πŸ‘‰ How: Ensure customers have opted in to receive SMS messages and provide an easy way to opt out.

QR Code Review Requests

Manual Workflow

  1. Display QR codes prominently

    ☝️ Why: Easy access increases the likelihood of use.

    πŸ‘‰ How: Place QR codes on receipts, at checkout counters, or on business cards.

  2. Clear instructions

    ☝️ Why: Clear instructions ensure customers know what to do.

    πŸ‘‰ How: Add a simple call-to-action like β€œScan to Leave a Review” with the QR code.

  3. Incentivize reviews

    ☝️ Why: Incentives can motivate customers to take action.

    πŸ‘‰ How: Offer discounts or small rewards for leaving a review.

Automated Workflow

  1. Dynamic QR codes

    ☝️ Why: Dynamic QR codes can be updated without changing the printed material.

    πŸ‘‰ How: Use services like QR Code Generator or Beaconstac to create dynamic QR codes that can direct to different review platforms or promotional pages.

  2. Integrate with POS systems

    ☝️ Why: Automation ensures every customer receives a review request.

    πŸ‘‰ How: Integrate QR code generation with your Point of Sale (POS) system to print QR codes on receipts automatically.

  3. Track and analyze

    ☝️ Why: Understanding the effectiveness of your QR codes helps optimize the process.

    πŸ‘‰ How: Use tracking features of dynamic QR codes to see how often they are scanned and adjust your strategy accordingly.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Review Management

  1. Respond to all negative reviews

    ☝️ Why: Addressing negative reviews shows customers that you are committed to resolving issues and improving their experience.

    πŸ‘‰ How: Ensure that all negative reviews receive a thoughtful and professional response. Monitor response rates to ensure compliance.

  2. Respond to all reviews

    ☝️ Why: Responding to all reviews, whether positive or negative, shows that you value all customer feedback.

    πŸ‘‰ How: Ensure that franchisees respond to every review. Track the response rate to measure performance.

  3. Respond within 24 Hours

    ☝️ Why: Prompt responses demonstrate attentiveness and improve customer satisfaction.

    πŸ‘‰ How: Set a target to respond to all reviews within 24 hours. Use PromoRepublic’s monitoring tools to track response times and provide alerts for overdue responses.

Combining Centralized and Decentralized Approaches

  1. Hybrid model

    ☝️ Why: A hybrid approach can offer the best of both worlds, ensuring consistency while enabling personalization.

    πŸ‘‰ How: Use centralized oversight for critical reviews or common issues while allowing franchisees to handle everyday interactions. Tools like PromoRepublic can assist in generating reviews that meet central guidelines but can be personalized by franchisees.

  2. Regular audits and feedback

    ☝️ Why: Regular audits help maintain quality and consistency across the board.

    πŸ‘‰ How: Conduct periodic audits of review responses to ensure compliance with brand standards. Provide constructive feedback and highlight best practices.

  3. Shared best practices

    ☝️ Why: Sharing successful strategies fosters a collaborative environment.

    πŸ‘‰ How: Create a platform for franchisees to share their experiences and successful responses. Use these insights to update guidelines and training materials.

  4. Continuous improvement

    ☝️ Why: Adapting to changing customer expectations and feedback is crucial for ongoing success.

    πŸ‘‰ How: Regularly update your review response strategies and settings based on feedback from franchisees and customers.

By integrating both centralized and decentralized approaches, franchises can effectively manage their online reputation, ensuring consistent, high-quality customer engagement while allowing for local personalization. PromoRepublic's tools provide valuable support to streamline and enhance this process.

If you have any further questions, please contact us at
​[email protected].

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