Review requests via SMS are short messages that ask clients to share feedback about products or services of a business through a review site. These messages often include direct links to the company profile on review sites such as Google Business Profile or Facebook. Businesses must provide a positive experience to potential and existing customers to ensure long-term success. One of the best ways to do this is to send a review request via SMS.
Businesses send review requests via SMS to ask customers to share their feedback on their customer experience. It is crucial for companies because it helps them gain insight into customer service satisfaction. When writing a feedback request message, you must follow texting compliances and remember the limitations of SMS messages. You must also refrain from asking for five-star reviews or forgetting to include links to the review sites.
The Best Ways To Send SMS Marketing Reviews For Your Business
- Manually Send or Schedule
- Import a CSV list
- Integrate and automate
- Messaging Application
1. Manually Send or Schedule
You can send review requests via SMS by manually sending them or scheduling them with an SMS marketing platform. The process involves crafting a message and selecting recipients or scheduling a specific time for the messages to be sent. You should understand how to schedule a text message to ensure you send these requests at the right time.
Pros: This method gives businesses complete control over the message content and who receives it. They can also personalize the message for each recipient. This option may be more affordable for small businesses with fewer customers.
Cons: On the other hand, although this technique is useful for small customer bases, it becomes inefficient and unfeasible for bigger enterprises. Additionally, it is subject to human mistakes, like sending messages to the wrong individuals or at inappropriate moments.
2. Import a CSV List
You can also import a CSV file containing phone numbers into an SMS marketing platform to send review requests via SMS. There are many ways on how to build your SMS marketing list, but you must always ensure compliance with texting guidelines to ensure you are not breaking any laws.
Pros: You can use this method to send messages efficiently to a large group of customers who have consented to receive SMS messages.
Cons: Although it has advantages, this messaging method may not be the best option for businesses intending to send tailored messages to their customers. This approach may also be ineffective if the contact list needs to be updated or have the correct information. Additionally, smaller businesses may find this method more costly.
3. Integrate and Automate
One way to send review requests through SMS is by linking the business’s customer database with an SMS marketing platform and automating the process of sending review requests.
Pros: This method can offer a customized customer experience and may be particularly useful for businesses with a large customer base. Additionally, it enables tailoring messages according to customer behavior or other relevant data.
Cons: Setting up and integrating the systems may require technical expertise and ongoing maintenance and updates to ensure proper functioning. It may also be more costly than alternative methods.
4. Messaging Application
Finally, businesses can use messaging applications such as WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger to send review request messages.
Pros: This method allows businesses to send high-quality images and videos along with the message, making it an attractive way of engaging customers. It also makes it easier for customers to share their feedback on social media platforms.
Cons: If a business doesn’t have a presence on messaging apps or needs customers to install a specific app to receive messages, this method may not be suitable. Additionally, setting up and maintaining it can be more complex than other methods.
How to Write a Review Request Via SMS?
Writing message review requests must be well-thought-of and planned to gain the proper response from customers. The goal of sending review requests is to encourage customers to share their positive experiences with your business. Here are the steps to write a review request via SMS.
- Create a Brief and Concise Message – Keep it short and precise to get better results with SMS review requests. Thank your customers for their purchase and ask for their opinion on your brand. Use no confusing language, slang, or abbreviations; keep under the 160-character limit. By focusing on the essentials, you can get a higher conversion rate.
- Personalize the message – Personalization, including review requests, is crucial for SMS marketing. To achieve this, consider using your customer’s name instead of a generic greeting and referring to their purchased product. You may also provide context by asking about their satisfaction with a product that was previously out of stock and recently received.
- Include the Link to the Review Site – To make it easier and faster for your customers to submit a review, you should include a direct link to your review form. It can be a link to your business website, Google Business Profile, or Facebook Business Page. Asking them to leave reviews on these sites ensures higher visibility and the potential to gain new customers.
- Craft Effective Call to Action – You can ask your customers to share their feedback on your brand, a particular product, or their overall experience with your store. It shows that you value their opinions and allows them to share their thoughts openly. Please do not pressure your customers to leave a positive review or overtly request a 5-star rating. It could make them uncomfortable and even lead them to avoid your business altogether. Additionally, it is essential to ensure that you have genuinely met their expectations before seeking a review or rating.
- Send Request at the Right Timing – The best time to ask for a review can differ depending on the business and product. If you ask too soon, you may not get a response. Customers need enough time to use and experience the product before being asked for a review. The optimal time to send your review request is a few days and two weeks after purchase.
What is a Review Request via SMS?
A review request sent via SMS is a message that businesses use to ask for customer feedback. Companies can utilize other channels like emails, live chat, or push notifications (if applicable) to request more customer reviews.
Businesses may send customer review requests, asking them to leave reviews about the brand online on platforms like Google Reviews, social media like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or review sites like Tripadvisor and Yelp.
To make it easier for customers to leave a review, we usually include a link to our business’s website, social media page, or Google Business profile in the review request. You will be prompted to leave a review when clicking the link.
How Do Review Requests Via SMS Work?
Requesting a review via SMS involves straightforward steps. A business can template and automate the process to lessen manual labor for their staff. The first step that you will do is to choose your preferred template or create your personalized message.
Next, you will send the message to your recipients. You can automate this process using an SMS marketing platform and send personalized messages to your subscriber list. They will then receive these messages in real-time and can click on the link to be directed to the review site.
Once the site or form pops up, the customer can fill it up and complete their review of your services or products. Finally, the customer can submit their review and share it with others.
What are Example Templates for Review Request SMS?
Each review request message sent via SMS must be created to encourage customers to share their positive experiences with your business. Here are some example templates you can use:
- Hello [customer’s name], We greatly value your feedback. Please take a moment to write a review for us on Google using the following link: [add Business Profile URL]? Your review will help other potential customers in their decision-making process. Thank you!
- Hi there! We would appreciate your telling us about your experience using our product or services. Please click on the link below and rate us: [website review page]
- Hello [customer’s name], We thank you for choosing our business. We hope you had a great experience and would appreciate your feedback. Feel free to contact us at [phone number] or leave us a review on our Yelp profile at [Yelp profile URL].
- Dear [customer’s name], would you like to write a Facebook review for us? Your experience would be valuable to us and other potential customers. Here is the link to our Facebook page: [add Facebook page URL]. Thank you for your time.
What are the Things that you should Do when Writing a Review Request via SMS?
Here are the things that you should DO when writing a review request via SMS.
- DO include the customer’s name in the text message. Personalizing the message will show that you value their opinion.
- DO make the message short. Keep the message to only a few sentences, so customers can quickly read and understand it.
- DO include a link in your message. Customers should be able to access the review page or form with just one easy click on their phones.
- DO ensure your message is grammatically correct and free of typos.
- DO thank the customer for their time and remind them how valuable their feedback is to you.
What are the Things that you should Not Do when Writing a Review Request via SMS?
Here are what you should NOT DO when writing a review request via SMS.
- DON’T be too pushy in the message. Your review request should be polite and respectful.
- DON’T use language that is too persuasive or sales-oriented. The review request should focus on the customer’s experience and feedback rather than selling your business.
- DON’T include a long list of review sites in the message. Pick one or two you want your customers to focus on and leave it at that.
- DON’T forget to include a link for the customer to click on. Without this, they may be unable to find the right page or form.
- DON’T send messages too frequently. Sending messages too often can be annoying, and customers may need to take the time to leave a review.
How Can You Keep Track of Your Review Request via SMS?
Once you send the review request message, you must track whether customers respond. It can be done using an SMS marketing platform that allows you to view data and analytics. This way, you can follow your campaigns’ success and optimize them further. You can also create automated follow-up messages for customers who have not responded within a certain time frame.
You may also read more about What is an SMS Tracker to understand how to use these tools for your business.
What Are The Benefits Of Sending A Review Request Via SMS?
An SMS review request has many advantages for businesses. Text messaging remains the top business communication channel, and customers are more likely to respond to a review request via SMS than any other form of communication. Here are the top benefits of sending review requests via SMS.
- High Open and Click-Through Rates – It is a fact that people are more likely to open a text message than an email, with a 98% open rate for an SMS compared to an email’s average 20% open rate. SMS messages almost always reach the recipient’s inbox, resulting in an almost 100% inbox-zero rate. Consumers are more inclined to trust text communication as it feels more personal and engaging. Texts seem similar to one-to-one conversations rather than feeling like a generic marketing email sent to a group of people.
- Revenue Generation Boost – According to a survey, 96% of marketers found that using SMS helped them to increase revenue, with 60% experiencing significant growth. The survey also found that most companies earned over $70 for every dollar they invested in SMS marketing. It is likely due to the high levels of customer engagement, as demonstrated by increased open rates, click-through rates, and engagement.
- High Priority – Text messages are given higher priority on most phones when compared to emails, making it even easier for customers to read and act on your message. It means your review request is more likely to be seen and acted upon than an email sent simultaneously.
- Better Customer Engagement – When customers sign up for your SMS marketing, you can send them specific messages and promotions that have actual benefits. Your loyalty program members appreciate receiving texts about loyalty points, complimentary gifts with their next purchase, special access, and other offers. You can achieve better connection by sending review requests to your customers when the timing is right and incentivizing them to leave reviews.
- Improve Review Collection – Establishing trust is crucial for building brands. Customer reviews can make or break eCommerce brands by influencing future customers’ trust in your brand and products. Positive ratings and reviews indicate that your store can be relied upon and that your products are genuine.
- Capturing User-Generated Content and Photo Reviews – Using SMS can help customers share feedback and enhance their reviews by allowing them to easily include photos or videos taken from their standard messaging app. You can encourage customers to submit pictures along with their reviews.
What Are The Challenges Of Sending A Review Request Via SMS?
Though there are many advantages of using SMS for review requests, businesses must also be aware of the challenges that come along with it.
- Opt-Out Rate – While opt-out rates are typically lower with SMS than email, there is still the risk of customers unsubscribing from your campaigns. It can be addressed by ensuring you only send messages to your most loyal customers and that they know their opinion matters.
- Data Privacy – Data privacy regulations vary across countries and states, so it’s essential to research the rules in your area and ensure you remain compliant. Ensuring that customers have permitted you to contact them via SMS is vital.
- Cost – Text messages are not necessarily expensive but can add up quickly if you send large messages or use multiple campaign segments. You may have to pay for a third-party SMS marketing platform without using your system.
- Time – Setting up an SMS campaign takes time and resources to ensure its success. You have to decide on messaging cadence, segmentation, and personalization of messages. Also, you need to monitor your campaigns’ performance to ensure they reach their target audiences.
Can I Automate a Review Request SMS?
Yes. You can automate review request SMS using a messaging application that allows you to send manually or schedule messages, import a CSV list of contacts, and integrate with other systems. Automating your review request SMS helps save time and ensure consistent engagement with customers. You can create specific templates for different customer segments and customize the message accordingly. Additionally, you can also keep track of your review requests using analytics.
Should you Send a Review Request via SMS for your Website?
Yes. Sending review requests via SMS is a great way to get more ratings and reviews for your website. It is quick, efficient, and cost-effective compared to other engagement strategies. With the help of an automated messaging application, you can save time and resources while keeping track of customer engagements. It will improve customer trust in your brand, increase online visibility, and boost sales.
Is Review Request via SMS Beneficial for Every Business?
Yes. Review requests via SMS can be beneficial for businesses of all sizes. It is an effective way to increase customer engagement and improve trust in your brand. Review requests are particularly advantageous for companies with online stores, websites, or apps. Leveraging customer feedback through review requests helps businesses make informed decisions that will improve their products, services, and online presence.