How to Ask for Reviews on Shopify

Reviews are one of the most reliable conversion drivers on Shopify: 95% of shoppers read them before buying, and stores with 10+ reviews on a product see measurably higher conversion rates than stores with none. Getting those reviews consistently requires a system: a trigger, a well-timed ask, and a frictionless way to respond. This guide covers every piece of that system.

Understand the Importance of Reviews

Reviews play a crucial role in boosting sales and building trust with customers. Positive reviews can increase conversion rates, improve search engine rankings, and provide valuable insights for improving products and services.

Shoppers heavily rely on reviews to make informed purchasing decisions. In fact, studies show that nearly 95% of shoppers read reviews before making a purchase. Positive reviews not only instill confidence in buyers but also help products rank higher in search results.

Set Up Automated Review Request Emails

One effective way to get more reviews is by setting up automated review request emails through Shopify. This feature allows you to send customized emails to customers after a specific time period following their purchase. Here's how to set it up:

1. Go to your Shopify admin and navigate to Settings → Notifications.
2. Scroll down to the “Order status” section and click the “…more” link next to the “Shipping confirmation” notification.
3. Check the box to enable the review request and customize the email subject line and content.
4. Set the delay for sending the email (e.g., 7 days after the order has been delivered).
5. Save your changes.

Shopify also has a built-in Product Reviews app (available free from the Shopify App Store) that adds a review widget to your product pages and handles basic review collection. If you're just starting out, this is the fastest path to getting reviews live without a third-party subscription.

When to Send Review Requests: Timing Matters

Sending the review request at the right moment is as important as the request itself. The optimal timing depends on the product type:

• Physical goods delivered within 3–5 days: Send the review request 7–10 days after the estimated delivery date. This gives the customer enough time to use the product before you ask for feedback.
• Products that take time to evaluate (supplements, skincare, tools): Wait 14–21 days. Asking too soon means the customer hasn't seen results and can't give a meaningful review, or worse, gives a neutral review because they haven't tried it properly.
• Digital products or immediate-use items: 1–3 days after purchase works because the customer has already interacted with what they bought.
• High-consideration purchases (furniture, appliances): 14–30 days. These customers spend more time with the product before forming an opinion, and a premature request can feel pushy.

If your review app lets you trigger the request on delivery confirmation rather than order date, use delivery confirmation, it removes the guesswork about transit time and ensures the customer actually has the product when you ask.

Review Request Email Templates

The two most effective review request emails are a simple one-question ask and a short personal-feeling note. Use whichever fits your brand voice:

Template 1: Direct and brief:
Subject: How did [product name] work out for you?

Hi [first name],

You ordered [product name] about a week ago: hoping you’ve had a chance to try it. If you have 60 seconds, a quick review would mean a lot to us and helps other shoppers decide.

[Leave a review →]

Thanks,
[Store name]

Template 2: Slightly warmer, with optional incentive:
Subject: Quick question about your [product name]

Hi [first name],

We noticed your order arrived last week: hope everything went smoothly. We’d love to hear what you think.

Reviews from real customers are how we improve, and they help people like you find products that actually work.

[Share your experience →]

As a thank-you, your next order gets 10% off with code REVIEW10.

[Store name]

Keep subject lines under 50 characters. Avoid the word “review” in the subject line on the first send: “How did [product] work out?” outperforms “Please leave a review” in open rates. The incentive in Template 2 is optional and should only be offered if your margins support it.

Leverage Apps and Tools

While Shopify’s built-in review request feature is useful, there are also third-party apps and tools that can help you collect more reviews with less manual effort. Here are a few popular options:

• Fera.ai: Uses AI to automatically send personalized review requests based on purchase history and behavior. Also offers review reminders, coupon incentives, and review analytics.
• Stamped.io: Automated review requests, review importing from other platforms, review analytics, and the ability to display reviews on product pages and social media.
• Loox: Collects photo and video reviews alongside text reviews. Sends automated requests and supports review reminders and incentives.

Encouraging Customer Reviews

While automating review requests can be a powerful tool, it’s also important to actively encourage customers to leave reviews.

Making it Easy to Leave Reviews

One of the biggest barriers to leaving reviews is the hassle factor. Make it as easy as possible by providing a single-click link directly to the review form. You might also consider offering incentives, such as discounts or free shipping, for customers who leave reviews.

Responding to Reviews

Responding to reviews, both positive and negative, shows that you value customer feedback and are committed to providing excellent service. Make sure to respond in a timely and professional manner, and use the feedback to improve your business over time.

Using Reviews to Improve Your Business

In addition to providing social proof, reviews can also be a valuable source of feedback for your business. Use the feedback to identify areas for improvement, and make changes as needed. This will help you to provide a better customer experience and build long-term loyalty.

Building a Steady Flow of Reviews on Shopify

Consistent review collection comes down to three things: a triggered ask that goes out automatically after every order, timing that gives the customer enough experience with the product before you ask, and a short frictionless path to leave the review. Set up the automated email sequence first, even Shopify's built-in notification trigger gets you most of the way there. Once reviews are flowing, use the feedback to identify the 1–2 product improvements or customer service responses that move your average rating. A 4.6-star product with 40 reviews converts better than a 5-star product with 3.