When is the best time to ask for a review?

At peak satisfaction: a few days after delivery for products, right at completion for services, and immediately whenever a customer spontaneously praises you. A week later, the motivation has halved.

Can I offer a discount for leaving a review?

No — incentivized reviews violate Google, Yelp, and most platforms' policies, and platforms increasingly detect and purge them (sometimes with penalties). Incentivize feedback surveys if you like, never public reviews.

How many times can I follow up on a review request?

Once. A single gentle nudge 5–7 days after the first ask lifts response meaningfully; a second nudge mostly generates annoyance and unsubscribes. Then let it go.

Review Request Examples: How to Ask Customers for Reviews

Most happy customers never leave a review — not because they won't, but because nobody asked at the right moment with a link that worked. The formula: ask when satisfaction peaks, make it one click, and make it personal. Here are 10 templates across email, SMS, and face-to-face situations.

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Email requests

Post-purchase (e-commerce)

Subject: How's the [product] working out?

Hi [Name],

You've had your [product] for a couple of weeks now — we hope it's earning its keep.

If it is, would you leave a quick review? It takes about a minute, and it genuinely helps other [customers like them] decide:

[Review link — one button/link only]

And if anything's not right, just reply to this email — we'll fix it before anything else.

Thanks,
[Name] at [Company]

After a service project

Subject: A small favor after [project]

Hi [Name],

It was a pleasure working on [project] with you — especially seeing [specific result] come together.

If you were happy with how it went, a short review would mean a lot; as a [small business / local firm], they're how new clients find us:

[Review link]

Even two sentences about what we did and how it went is perfect. Thanks for considering it — and for being great to work with.

[Your name]

The reply-to-praise conversion

Subject: Re: [their email]

Hi [Name],

Thank you — this genuinely made our week. I've shared your note with [person/team], who'll be chuffed.

Small ask: would you be willing to say the same thing publicly? It takes a minute and helps us more than any advertising:

[Review link]

Zero pressure either way — you've already made our day.

[Your name]

The polite second ask (one only)

Subject: Re: How's the [product] working out?

Hi [Name],

Just one gentle nudge on this — if you've got 60 seconds, a review would really help us out:

[Review link]

That's the last you'll hear from me about it, promise. If anything about your experience wasn't right, reply and tell me instead — I'd rather fix it than ask again.

Thanks,
[Your name]

SMS and WhatsApp requests

Shorter medium, higher open rates — keep it to two sentences and one link.

Post-service SMS

Hi [Name], thanks for visiting [Business] today! If you had a good experience, a quick review would mean the world to us: [short link]. Anything wrong? Reply here and we'll sort it. 🙏

Post-delivery WhatsApp

Hi [Name]! Your [product] should have arrived — hope you love it. If you do, we'd be so grateful for a rating: [short link]. Takes under a minute. Any issue at all, just message us here first.

In-person and situational

The in-person ask (script)

"I'm really glad it worked out — that's exactly what we aim for. Can I ask a small favor? Reviews on [platform] are how people find us. If I send you the link right now, would you write a line or two when you get a minute? ... Great — what's the best number/email to send it to?"

[Send the link within five minutes, while the moment is warm.]

QR code table card / receipt text

Enjoyed your visit?

A 60-second review helps us more than you know — and helps others find us.

[QR code]
Scan to leave a review on [platform]

Something not right? Tell us first: [phone/email] — we fix things fast.

Responding to the review afterwards

Thank you, [Name]! [One specific line referencing what they wrote — "Glad the fitting process felt easy."] Reviews like this genuinely keep a small business going. We'll see you next time! — [Name] at [Company]

Quick tips

Timing beats wording: ask at the satisfaction peak — delivery day + a few days for products, project completion for services, the moment of praise always.
One link, one platform per ask. Choice is friction; friction kills reviews.
Always include the escape valve: "something wrong? tell us first" — it routes problems to you instead of the review page.
Never offer payment or discounts for reviews — it violates Google's and most platforms' policies and can get reviews purged.
Ask everyone (review gating — only asking happy customers via a filter — also violates platform rules); the volume from asking consistently outweighs the occasional critic.
Respond to every review you get — future reviewers check whether reviews get acknowledged.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to ask for a review?: At peak satisfaction: a few days after delivery for products, right at completion for services, and immediately whenever a customer spontaneously praises you. A week later, the motivation has halved.
Can I offer a discount for leaving a review?: No — incentivized reviews violate Google, Yelp, and most platforms' policies, and platforms increasingly detect and purge them (sometimes with penalties). Incentivize feedback surveys if you like, never public reviews.
How many times can I follow up on a review request?: Once. A single gentle nudge 5–7 days after the first ask lifts response meaningfully; a second nudge mostly generates annoyance and unsubscribes. Then let it go.

Want the full how-to? Read the complete guide →

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