Your Guide to Getting Rave Reviews: 5 Simple Steps to Boost Customer Loyalty & Visibility
If you’re a small business owner looking to grow your credibility, customer base, and long-term loyalty, online reviews are one of your most powerful tools.
That is where I come in. At The Local Edit, I help local businesses build trust with real, authentic reviews that don’t just make your brand look good—they actually drive sales. Here’s how to set up a review system that works for you.
Automate Your Review Requests.
Set up a follow-up email flow that automatically prompts customers to leave a review after making a purchase. Once they’ve left one, offer a small thank-you email with a small discount or freebie to build repeat business.
For more on how to build an email flow that converts, check out my step-by-step tutorial on how to set this up to make sales while you sleep.
Tools I recommend:
Drip (perfect for e-commerce automation)
Junip Product Reviews (if you’re running a Shopify store, this plug in allows you to set up automated reviews that connect to your Shopify customers post-purchase)
This not only increases the number of reviews you receive, but also improves customer retention— a win-win for any small business looking to grow it’s loyal customer base.
Make it Easy for Friends & Family to Support You.
Your inner circle wants to see you win— you just need to guide them on how to do so.
Copy and paste your Google Business Profile link and send it directly (via text, even better!) to friends, family, and your community. Include a short message like:
“Hey! I am looking for some of my best people to share your experience on our Google reviews. It helps me so much with my small business & shows people that I am a real business. Do you mind leaving a review? Thank you so much!”
Tip: You can get your Google review link by going to your Google Business profile > Share > Copy Link.
Turn Comments into Testimonials.
You likely already have organic testimonials sitting in your Instagram comments and DMs.
DM customers back and thank them!
Ask if you can repost their kind words as a review
Reward them with a thank you offer or code
Run a Giveaway for Past Customers.
One of the most engaging ways to generate reviews? A customer-exclusive giveaway.
Use your email list to reach people who have purchased or interacted with your brand multiple times. Offer an incentive in exchange for leaving a review and watch your engagement grow.
Pro Tip: Segment your list in Drip to target the most loyal customers (ie. set a rule for customers that have spent $X amount and over or purchased X amount of times to make sure you’re capturing repeat customers who already love your brand).
Speak Directly to Your Audience.
Sometimes that most effective method is the most human.
Hop on Instagram stories and talk directly to the people in your corner— your followers! Be honest about how much reviews help your business grow—and ask them to leave one.
Pro Tip: Make sure to use Instagram’s Link sticker to direct them straight to your reviews page—whether it’s your Google Business Profile link or to a specific product reviews page.
Need Help Creating a Review Strategy That Works?
At The Local Edit, we specialize in helping local brands build credibility, boost loyalty, and grow through smart & sustainable digital strategies.
Book a Complimentary Discovery Call with me and let’s create a customized marketing plan that supports your business growth.
