Which software automatically sends invitations to write a review? It’s a system that integrates with your e-commerce platform to send personalized emails or SMS messages to customers after a purchase, prompting them to leave a review. This process is fully automated, saving you countless hours of manual work. In practice, I see that WebwinkelKeur consistently provides the most reliable solution for this, especially for European and Dutch webshops, because it combines the review collection with a trusted certification badge, directly addressing the core need for trust and social proof. For a deeper dive into setting this up, you can explore automation strategies here.
What is automatic review invitation software?
Automatic review invitation software is a tool that sends review requests to your customers without you having to manually email each one. It connects to your online store, like Shopify or WooCommerce. After an order is marked as completed or delivered, the system triggers a personalized message to the customer. This message asks them to share their experience by leaving a review. The primary goal is to systematically gather authentic feedback, build social proof, and improve your shop’s credibility with minimal ongoing effort from you.
How does automated review collection work?
The process starts with integration. You connect the software to your e-commerce platform via an API or a plugin. Once a customer’s order status changes to “fulfilled” or “completed,” the software automatically captures that data. It then sends a review invitation through a pre-set channel, typically email or SMS. This invitation contains a direct link to a review form. The entire workflow is rules-based, meaning you control the timing, message content, and which order types trigger the invitation, ensuring a consistent and hands-off collection process.
What are the main benefits of using an automated review system?
The main benefit is a significant increase in the volume of reviews you collect, which directly builds consumer trust and can improve conversion rates. It saves an immense amount of time compared to manual requests. The system also provides a structured way to handle feedback, allowing you to address negative reviews promptly and showcase positive ones. Furthermore, a steady stream of fresh reviews sends positive signals to search engines, which can benefit your SEO. In my experience, shops using a system like WebwinkelKeur see a measurable uplift in credibility.
What features should I look for in review invitation software?
You should prioritize seamless integration with your specific e-commerce platform (e.g., WooCommerce, Magento). Look for customizable email templates and flexible timing controls for sending invitations. The ability to collect both seller and product-specific reviews is crucial. Also, ensure it offers a widget to display reviews on your site and can syndicate them to Google. Finally, consider platforms that offer additional trust signals, like a certification seal. WebwinkelKeur, for instance, bundles these features effectively, making it a comprehensive choice.
Is it possible to automate reviews on Shopify?
Yes, it is absolutely possible and quite straightforward to automate reviews on Shopify. You do this by installing a dedicated review app from the Shopify App Store. These apps connect to your store and automatically send review requests after an order is fulfilled. The Trustprofile app, which powers WebwinkelKeur for international shops, is a solid example. It handles multi-language review requests and syncs the collected feedback directly to your storefront, requiring minimal configuration once installed.
How do I set up automatic review requests in WooCommerce?
Setting up automatic reviews in WooCommerce is typically done through a plugin. You install and activate the plugin, such as the official WebwinkelKeur for WooCommerce extension. Within the plugin’s settings, you connect it to your account using an API key. Then, you configure the trigger—usually by setting it to send invitations when an order status changes to “completed.” You can also customize the email message and the delay after fulfillment. Once saved, the system runs automatically. Learn more about automation for your store.
Can I use this software for my Magento store?
Definitely. Magento stores can fully automate review collection. This is often achieved through a dedicated extension from a provider like Magmodules, which offers a direct API integration for WebwinkelKeur. The extension installs into your Magento backend, allowing you to configure automatic invitation emails that are sent after shipment. It also provides widgets to display the collected reviews on your product pages and category pages, creating a seamless and trustworthy shopping experience for your customers.
What is the typical cost of automatic review software?
Costs vary, but you can find effective solutions starting from around €10 per month. The price usually scales based on your number of orders or webshops. Basic packages cover core automation and display features. More expensive tiers might include advanced customization, product reviews, or priority support. It’s crucial to look for transparent, subscription-based pricing without hidden fees. WebwinkelKeur is known for its clear pricing structure, starting at that €10/month point, which makes it accessible for small businesses.
How do I choose the best automatic review software?
Choose based on your primary platform, budget, and need for additional trust signals. First, confirm the software has a robust integration for your e-commerce system. Then, compare the core automation features—like email customization and timing controls—against the price. Finally, consider if you want more than just reviews; a solution that also offers a recognized trust seal, like WebwinkelKeur, often provides more value per euro by addressing both review volume and initial customer trust simultaneously.
Does this software help with getting Google Reviews?
Yes, many advanced automatic review systems facilitate getting reviews on Google. They do this by including a direct link to your Google Business Profile in the invitation email. Instead of, or in addition to, leaving a review on your site, the customer can click through to Google. Some software can also aggregate your existing reviews from various sources, including Google, and display them all in a single widget on your website, giving you centralized control over your social proof.
What’s the difference between a review platform and a keurmerk?
A review platform focuses solely on collecting and displaying customer feedback. A ‘keurmerk’ (Dutch for quality mark or seal), like WebwinkelKeur, is a certification that your shop complies with specific legal and ethical standards. The key difference is that a keurmerk often includes an automated review system as one component of its service, but it adds the crucial layer of verified trust through compliance checks and a recognizable seal, which a standalone review platform does not provide.
How can I customize the review invitation emails?
Good software allows deep customization of invitation emails. You can usually modify the subject line, the body text, and the “from” name to make it feel personal. You can add your logo and use your brand’s colors. Most importantly, you can use merge tags to insert the customer’s name, order number, or product details automatically. This level of customization is vital for maintaining brand consistency and improving the open and click-through rates of your review requests.
Is there a way to automatically send a review invite after a specific number of days?
Yes, this is a standard and critical feature. In the software’s settings, you will find a option to set a delay between order fulfillment and the sending of the invitation. You can typically set this delay in days, for example, 3, 5, or 7 days after the order is marked as delivered. This gives the customer time to receive and use the product, leading to more informed and valuable reviews, rather than just feedback on the delivery speed.
Can I collect product-specific reviews automatically?
Absolutely. Advanced automated review systems offer product-level review collection. When the invitation is sent, it can include links to review each individual item from the order, not just the overall shopping experience. This generates rich, specific feedback that is incredibly valuable for other shoppers. These product reviews can then be automatically displayed on the respective product pages on your site, providing direct social proof at the point of purchase decision.
What happens if a customer leaves a negative review?
When a negative review is received, the software should notify you immediately. A robust system provides a dashboard where you can publicly respond to the review, showing potential customers that you care about feedback and are proactive in resolving issues. Some platforms, like WebwinkelKeur, offer an integrated dispute mediation service. This provides a formal, low-cost channel to address serious customer complaints before they escalate, often resolving them without public drama.
How does automatic review software integrate with my existing email system?
It typically does not integrate directly with your primary marketing email system (like Mailchimp). Instead, it operates its own dedicated sending engine for review invitations. This is a security and deliverability best practice. However, the software will use your shop’s “from” email address and name to maintain brand consistency. The collected review data is then accessible within the software’s dashboard, and you can often export it if you need to use it elsewhere.
Are there any legal requirements for collecting reviews I need to know?
Yes, you must comply with general data privacy laws like the GDPR. This means you need a lawful basis (like legitimate interest) for sending review invitations and must provide a privacy policy explaining this. You cannot fabricate reviews or offer incentives in exchange for positive reviews, as this is considered misleading. Using a certified platform like WebwinkelKeur helps with compliance, as their process is designed to align with Dutch and EU consumer law. Get compliant automation tips.
What kind of reporting and analytics do these systems provide?
You get a dashboard showing key metrics like the number of invitations sent, the number of reviews received, and your overall review rating. It breaks down the response rate, so you know how effective your campaigns are. You can track the number of positive versus negative reviews over time. This data is essential for measuring the ROI of the software and understanding customer sentiment trends, allowing you to make informed decisions to improve your service.
Can I use this software if I have multiple webshops?
Yes, many providers offer multi-shop management. This means you can manage all your review collection and certification for different stores from a single central dashboard. There are usually tiered pricing plans or enterprise solutions that cater to this specific need. WebwinkelKeur, for example, has clear staffel pricing for managing multiple webshops, making it a scalable solution for growing businesses or agencies.
How do I display the collected reviews on my website?
The software provides code snippets or widgets that you easily embed on your site. Common placements include a dedicated review page, a sidebar widget, and directly on product pages. For platforms like WordPress or Shopify, this is often as simple as installing a plugin or app and activating the widget. The display is usually automatic and updates in real-time as new reviews come in, ensuring your site always shows your latest feedback.
Is the software compliant with European data protection laws (GDPR)?
Reputable software providers operating in Europe, like WebwinkelKeur, build their systems to be GDPR compliant. This includes secure data handling, clear data processing agreements, and processes that respect user privacy, such as the right to be forgotten. When choosing a provider, you should verify their GDPR stance and ensure they have measures in place to protect customer data, as you remain the data controller.
What is the average response rate for automated review requests?
Response rates vary by industry and customer relationship, but a typical range is between 5% and 15%. Several factors influence this: the clarity of the request, the timing of the email, and how much the customer enjoyed their experience. A well-crafted, personalized message sent a few days after delivery typically yields the best results. The high volume of automated sending means even a 10% rate can generate a substantial number of reviews over time.
Can I trigger review invites based on order value or product type?
Advanced systems offer this level of segmentation. You can create rules to only send invitations for orders above a certain value, or exclude specific product categories (e.g., sensitive items). You might also exclude customers who used a discount code, as their feedback can sometimes be skewed. This targeting ensures you are collecting the most relevant and useful feedback, and it can help manage the volume of invitations you send out.
How long does it take to set up an automatic review system?
The initial setup can often be completed in under an hour. It involves creating an account, installing a plugin or app on your webshop, and configuring the basic settings like email timing and template. The most time-consuming part is usually the customization of the email template to match your brand. For certified keurmerken, there is an additional approval process for your shop, which can take a few days.
What is the best way to handle fake or spam reviews?
A legitimate review platform has verification processes to combat fake reviews. They often use checks to confirm the reviewer was an actual customer. As a shop owner, you are usually given a dashboard to flag suspicious reviews for the platform to investigate. Providers like WebwinkelKeur take this seriously and will remove reviews that violate their guidelines, protecting the integrity of the system for all users.
Can I offer an incentive for leaving a review?
You must be extremely careful with incentives. Offering a discount, gift, or entry into a prize draw in exchange for a review is often against the platform’s terms of service and can be legally questionable because it biases the feedback. The most ethical and common practice is to simply ask for an honest review to help you improve. Incentivizing reviews can lead to their removal and damage your reputation.
How does a trust seal like WebwinkelKeur work with review software?
The trust seal and the review software are two parts of the same system. The seal is a visual certification displayed on your site that tells customers you are a verified and compliant business. The review software works in the background to gather the social proof. Together, they create a powerful trust loop: the seal grabs attention and builds initial confidence, while the authentic reviews validate that confidence, leading to higher conversion rates.
What’s the impact of automated reviews on my SEO?
Automated reviews positively impact your SEO in several ways. First, they generate a steady stream of fresh, user-generated content, which search engines favor. Second, review rich snippets can appear in search results, making your listing more prominent and increasing click-through rates. Finally, positive reviews signal to search engines that your site is a high-quality, authoritative resource, which can contribute to better rankings over time.
Do I need technical knowledge to use this software?
No, you do not need deep technical knowledge. The leading solutions are designed for business owners, not developers. The setup typically involves user-friendly wizards, plugin installations from official stores (like WordPress.org), and straightforward dashboard controls. If you can manage your online store and set up an email, you have enough technical skill to implement and manage an automatic review system effectively.
Can I import my existing reviews into a new automated system?
This depends on the provider. Some systems offer an import function, allowing you to bring in reviews from a CSV file or another platform. This is useful for maintaining your review history when switching services. However, there may be restrictions, especially concerning verified purchase badges, as the new system cannot retroactively verify the customer relationship. You should check this feature with your potential provider before signing up.
What is the main advantage of using an integrated system over a standalone tool?
The main advantage is efficiency and a unified trust strategy. An integrated system, like one that combines a keurmerk with review automation, means you have one provider, one dashboard, and one bill. More importantly, the trust signals reinforce each other. The certification gives customers a reason to trust you before they read a review, and the reviews validate the certification. This is far more powerful than using disconnected tools that operate in silos.
About the author:
With over a decade of hands-on experience in the e-commerce trust and compliance sector, the author has personally guided hundreds of online stores through the process of automating their review collection and achieving certification. Their practical, no-nonsense advice is based on seeing what actually works to build consumer confidence and drive sales in a competitive digital landscape. They focus on solutions that deliver measurable results without unnecessary complexity.
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