Is Your Shopify App Leveraging Reviews Effectively?

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Hey there, Oyku here!

Welcome back; in this issue, we're diving into the reviews for your Shopify app and how to leverage them effectively.

Reviews: The Lifeblood of Your Shopify App

In the previous issue, I highlighted the significance of a stellar Shopify App Listing Page. Now, let’s talk about something equally crucial—reviews. They can significantly influence a potential user's decision and are great to signal Shopify for ranking even though it's difficult to pin down the direct correlation.

Anatomy of a Great Review

Not all reviews are created equal. A review that simply says “great app” doesn’t cut it. Here’s what makes a review truly valuable:

Detail and Specificity: Look for reviews that provide specifics. For example, “This app saved us 10 hours a week by automating our inventory management.”
Personal Experience: Personal anecdotes make reviews relatable. “Our support team loves the new chat feature; it’s made resolving customer issues so much faster.”

Do’s and Don’ts of Gathering Reviews

Do’s

Ask After Positive Interactions: Timing is everything. Ask for reviews after a demo session, or solving a support ticket when the user is most satisfied. They don't have to be subscribers, but users with a good-enough experience.
Build Relationships: Engage with your users regularly. Strong relationships increase the likelihood of receiving positive reviews. Your customer-facing team members play a crucial role in this.
Reply to Reviews: Show appreciation for all feedback. Responding to reviews, whether positive or negative, demonstrates that you value your users’ experiences.

Here is how you can reply:

"Convey your thanks - Highlight your goals with the feature - Express gratitude & commitment to maintaining quality - Thank again"

Don’ts

Don’t Ask for 5-Star Reviews: Asking for a 5-star review can seem disingenuous and might raise eyebrows from Shopify. Instead, seek honest feedback.
Never Buy Reviews: Authenticity is key. Purchased reviews can severely damage your credibility.

Expanding Your Review Requests

Don't limit review requests to just your customers. Here are a few more touchpoints:

During Demo Sessions: When showcasing your app, ask for initial impressions and if they'd be willing to share their thoughts.
After Solving Support Tickets: Post-resolution is a great time to ask for a review. You can add a reminder for your team on Intercom.
Engage Active Users: Your most active users are often the most invested and can provide valuable feedback. You can also write to your online users.

Template for Asking Reviews

Depending on the touchpoint, you can change the beginning of the email. Here is a template for demo, feel free to play around with it:

Insights on Reviews, but Outside of Shopify

Jonathan Kennedy, the founder of HeyCarson- a review platform for Shopify apps and themes - shares his insights on customer reviews, offering a different perspective on reviews.