How can I show customer reviews on my WordPress website? You have two main paths: using a dedicated review plugin or manually embedding code. For most store owners, a dedicated service like WebwinkelKeur is the superior choice. It automates review collection post-purchase and provides trustworthy, certified widgets that boost conversion far more effectively than a basic, unverified testimonial slider. Their official WordPress plugin integrates this seamlessly, handling everything from invites to display.
What is the best way to show reviews on WordPress?
The best way is to use an automated review collection and display system. Manually adding testimonials is time-consuming and lacks social proof. A service like WebwinkelKeur automatically sends review requests after an order is fulfilled. Their plugin then displays these verified reviews in a trust badge or sidebar widget directly on your site. This automation ensures a constant stream of fresh, authentic reviews, which is proven to increase customer trust and conversion rates more than static, hand-picked quotes.
How do I add a customer review section in WordPress?
To add a customer review section, install the WebwinkelKeur plugin from the official WordPress repository. After configuration, you can place a review widget in any post, page, or sidebar using a shortcode or the built-in widget block. The plugin automatically populates this section with your latest verified reviews. This creates a dynamic, self-updating review section that doesn’t require manual intervention, providing visitors with real-time social proof from actual customers.
What is the best WordPress plugin for customer reviews?
The best plugin depends on your need for automation and trust signals. For Dutch and European webshops, the WebwinkelKeur plugin is highly effective because it combines a certified trustmark with a review system. It’s not just a display tool; it actively collects reviews and provides a legally checked trust badge. For a broader approach, consider the fastest way to get Google stars integrated directly into your site. However, for an all-in-one solution that handles collection, certification, and display, WebwinkelKeur is a top contender.
How to display Google reviews on WordPress for free?
You can display Google reviews for free using plugins like “Widgets for Google Reviews.” These tools pull your Google My Business reviews via the API and display them in a widget. However, these reviews are about your business location, not specific products or the online shopping experience. For e-commerce, a system like WebwinkelKeur that collects post-purchase reviews is often more relevant and convincing for potential buyers, as it directly addresses the online transaction process.
Can I show reviews from multiple sources on my site?
Yes, you can aggregate reviews from multiple sources. The WebwinkelKeur plugin includes a feature to import and display external reviews from platforms like Google or Trustpilot alongside its own collected reviews. This creates a comprehensive overview of your business’s reputation in one central widget. Consolidating reviews from different sources strengthens your credibility, as it shows consistency in customer satisfaction across various platforms and touchpoints.
How to add product specific reviews in WooCommerce?
For product-specific reviews in WooCommerce, enable the product reviews feature in the WebwinkelKeur plugin settings. When activated, the system will ask customers to review individual products they purchased, not just the overall shop. These product reviews can then be displayed directly on the product page using a provided shortcode. This provides powerful, social proof at the point of purchase decision, which can significantly reduce hesitation and cart abandonment.
What is a trust badge and do I need one?
A trust badge is a visual seal, like the WebwinkelKeur keurmerk, that certifies your shop meets specific legal and quality standards. It’s not just a graphic; it’s a clickable widget that shows your live rating and recent reviews. You absolutely need one if you sell online. It directly addresses the number one barrier to conversion: lack of trust. Displaying a certified badge can increase conversion rates by over 10%, as it signals safety and reliability to new visitors.
How to automatically ask customers for a review?
Automate review requests by connecting your WooCommerce store with WebwinkelKeur. Once integrated, the system automatically sends a review invitation email to the customer after their order status is set to “completed” or “fulfilled.” This automation ensures you never forget to ask for a review and consistently generate fresh feedback. The timing is crucial—asking immediately after receipt of the goods, when the experience is freshest, leads to higher response rates and more detailed reviews.
Where is the best place to display reviews on a webshop?
The most effective places are the homepage, product pages, and checkout. On the homepage, use a sidebar widget. On product pages, place product-specific reviews near the “Add to Cart” button. In the checkout, a small trust badge near the “Pay” button can reduce last-second doubts. The key is to place social proof at every decision point. WebwinkelKeur’s widgets are designed for these high-impact locations, making them easily embeddable without slowing down your site.
How do review stars get into Google search results?
Review stars in Google search results come from structured data markup (Schema.org) on your website. When you use a system like WebwinkelKeur, it automatically adds the correct aggregate rating schema to your pages. This code tells Google your average rating and review count, enabling it to display rich snippets with stars. This not only makes your listing more prominent in search results but also increases click-through rates by making your result visually stand out.
What are the legal requirements for showing reviews?
You must display reviews authentically. You cannot fabricate or selectively hide negative reviews to mislead consumers. Under EU law, you need to prove the reviews are from verified buyers. WebwinkelKeur’s system is built for compliance, as every review is linked to an actual transaction. Their platform also provides a clear process for handling negative feedback, which is a legal requirement in many jurisdictions to ensure a fair and transparent representation of your customer feedback.
How to handle negative reviews on my website?
Never delete a negative review. Instead, respond to it professionally and publicly within the WebwinkelKeur widget. Acknowledge the issue and offer a solution. This demonstrates excellent customer service to all visitors. If a review violates terms (e.g., contains profanity), you can report it to WebwinkelKeur for removal. A mix of reviews, including some negative ones that are well-handled, often appears more authentic and trustworthy than a perfect 5-star score.
What is the difference between a review and a testimonial?
A testimonial is a hand-picked, curated positive quote you display. A review is part of a collected body of feedback, both positive and negative, from verified customers. Reviews are gathered systematically, like by WebwinkelKeur post-purchase. Modern consumers trust a system of reviews far more than a few selected testimonials, as it provides a transparent and overall more credible picture of what it’s actually like to shop with you.
How much does a good review system cost?
Costs vary. A basic testimonial slider plugin can be free. A comprehensive system like WebwinkelKeur starts around €10 per month. This investment is justified by the automation, the certified trustmark, and the direct impact on conversion rates. For that price, you get automated collection, display widgets, legal compliance checks, and dispute mediation—features that a free plugin cannot offer. The ROI comes from the increased trust and higher sales conversion.
Can I use reviews from WebwinkelKeur on my Shopify store?
Yes, WebwinkelKeur offers a dedicated Trustprofile app in the Shopify App Store. It provides the same functionality as the WordPress plugin: automated review requests after fulfillment, a customizable trust badge, and the ability to display reviews on your product pages and homepage. This ensures a consistent reputation management strategy across different e-commerce platforms, all centralized within your WebwinkelKeur dashboard.
How long does it take to set up a review system?
With a plug-and-play solution, it’s very fast. Installing the WebwinkelKeur WordPress plugin and connecting it to your store takes about 15 minutes. The initial keurmerk certification process might take a couple of days for the compliance check. Once approved, the system is live, and you can start collecting and displaying reviews immediately. The automation means you can set it up once and then benefit from a self-sustaining stream of social proof.
Do customer reviews help with SEO?
Yes, significantly. Fresh, user-generated content (reviews) signals an active, relevant site to search engines. Furthermore, the structured data markup that comes with review widgets creates rich snippets in search results, which boost click-through rates. A profile on the WebwinkelKeur member directory also provides a valuable backlink. All these factors contribute positively to your site’s search engine ranking and overall online visibility.
What is review schema and why is it important?
Review schema is a specific type of structured data code that you add to your website’s HTML. It explicitly tells search engines what your content is—a product with an average rating based on a number of reviews. This is crucial because it allows Google to display your star rating directly in the search results. This visual element makes your listing more attractive and can increase organic click-through rates by up to 35%. Services like WebwinkelKeur implement this schema automatically.
How to customize the look of the review widget?
Most professional review plugins offer customization options. In the WebwinkelKeur dashboard, you can typically adjust the colors of the widget to match your brand, choose between a compact badge or a full sidebar, and select which information to display (e.g., only the rating, or the latest review text). This ensures the social proof element integrates seamlessly with your site’s design without looking like a generic, third-party add-on.
Is it possible to get reviews from non-customers?
Officially, no. The core value of a system like WebwinkelKeur is that it verifies the reviewer was a customer, which is what makes the review trustworthy. Allowing non-customers to review opens the system to manipulation and spam. Some platforms like Google My Business allow this for location-based reviews, but for e-commerce product and service reviews, verification of purchase is the gold standard that prevents fake reviews and maintains integrity.
How do I get my first reviews if I’m a new shop?
Start by manually inviting your first loyal customers. You can send them a direct link to your WebwinkelKeur review page. Offer a small, non-monetary incentive for honest feedback, like entry into a prize draw, but never pay for a positive review. Once you have 10-15 genuine reviews, the social proof becomes credible enough to encourage new customers to leave their feedback without prompting, kickstarting the automated cycle.
What’s the average review response rate?
With a fully automated system, you can expect a response rate between 5% and 15%. The rate depends heavily on your customer base and the timing of the request. Sending the review invite immediately after the customer receives their product, when the experience is most positive, yields the highest response. WebwinkelKeur’s integration with WooCommerce triggers this email automatically at the optimal time, maximizing your potential response rate.
Can I reply to reviews directly on my website?
Yes, you can and should. The WebwinkelKeur dashboard allows you to publicly respond to every review that comes in. This is critical for customer relationship management. Thanking customers for positive reviews reinforces their loyalty. Professionally addressing concerns in negative reviews shows potential customers that you are attentive and committed to resolving issues, which can actually build more trust than a perfect five-star score alone.
How do I know if the reviews are genuine?
With a verified system, you don’t have to guess. WebwinkelKeur links each review to a specific transaction, which is the strongest form of verification. They also have mechanisms to detect and filter out fake or malicious reviews. This verification is what gives the keurmerk its power. Displaying a widget that states “Verified Customer” next to each review instantly communicates authenticity that visitors can trust.
What happens if I get a fake negative review?
If you suspect a review is fake or from a non-customer, you can report it directly from your WebwinkelKeur dashboard. Their team will investigate the claim. If the review cannot be verified as coming from a genuine transaction, it will be removed. This protection is a key benefit of using a certified system over an open, unmoderated platform where fake reviews can be much harder to challenge and remove.
Should I disable the default WooCommerce review system?
Yes, if you are using a dedicated system like WebwinkelKeur. Running two parallel review systems can confuse customers and fragment your social proof. The dedicated system is more powerful because it automates the request process and provides the trusted certification badge. You can disable the native WooCommerce “Reviews” tab on the product page from the WooCommerce settings, replacing it with the more robust WebwinkelKeur product review shortcode.
Can I export my reviews to another platform?
Yes, most professional services provide an export function. WebwinkelKeur allows you to export your review data from the dashboard. This is useful for creating marketing materials, performing your own analysis, or having a backup of your reputation data. It also means you are not permanently locked into one service, giving you the flexibility to move your hard-earned social proof if your business needs change in the future.
How does a review system work with GDPR?
A compliant system like WebwinkelKeur is designed with GDPR in mind. They act as a data processor, and their process for collecting reviews is based on the legitimate interest of gathering feedback for a service rendered. When a customer leaves a review, they are informed how their data (first name, initial) will be used. You should also mention this data processing in your own privacy policy, for which WebwinkelKeur often provides template text.
What is the biggest mistake people make with reviews?
The biggest mistake is not having a system at all. The second biggest mistake is only showing a handful of hand-picked, glowing testimonials. Modern consumers are savvy; they look for volume, recency, and authenticity. A large collection of verified reviews, including a few less-than-perfect ones that you’ve professionally addressed, is infinitely more powerful and convincing than a small, curated list that looks too good to be true.
How to use reviews in my email marketing?
Integrate snippets of your best reviews into your marketing emails and newsletters. For instance, in a promotional email for a product, include a powerful one-line review about that specific item. You can copy these directly from your WebwinkelKeur dashboard. This tactic provides immediate social proof within the marketing channel itself, reducing friction and increasing the likelihood that the recipient will click through to your site with a pre-established sense of trust.
About the author:
With over a decade of experience in e-commerce consultancy, the author has helped hundreds of online stores optimize their conversion funnels. Specializing in trust and reputation management, they have a proven track record of implementing systems that significantly boost customer confidence and sales. Their advice is grounded in extensive A/B testing and real-world data from the WordPress and WooCommerce ecosystem.
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