Quick Guide: Adding Reviews to Shopify Store

In today’s digital world, customer reviews play a crucial role in shaping consumer decisions. Online shoppers rely heavily on the experiences and feedback of others before making a purchase, especially when shopping in a competitive marketplace like Shopify. For e-commerce stores, reviews are more than just customer feedback — they are social proof that drives conversions.

This quick guide will show you how to add reviews to Shopify, helping you harness the power of customer testimonials. We’ll explore different methods for integrating reviews into your store, discuss the best practices for displaying them, and walk you through a step-by-step process to get started. Whether you’re a Shopify novice or looking to optimize your store further, adding reviews is an easy way to build trust, boost sales, and improve your store’s credibility.

Importance of Reviews in E-commerce

Why Reviews Matter

Customer reviews have a profound effect on purchasing behavior. Studies show that 93% of customers read reviews before making a purchase, and nearly 84% trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. In other words, adding reviews can be the difference between a visitor making a purchase or leaving your Shopify store empty-handed.

Here are a few reasons why reviews matter:

• Build Trust and Credibility: Reviews give your store legitimacy. When potential buyers see positive experiences from other customers, they are more likely to trust your products and services.

• Influence Decision-Making: Positive reviews provide social proof, making it easier for potential customers to justify buying your products.

• Boost SEO: Search engines love user-generated content, like reviews. When shoppers leave reviews, they provide fresh, keyword-rich content that improves your store’s visibility on search engines.

• Increase Sales: Reviews can directly impact conversion rates, with 270% more purchases occurring on products that have reviews.

Impact on Shopify Stores

For Shopify store owners, adding reviews is a cost-effective way to improve customer trust and loyalty. Stores that successfully integrate reviews can see significant improvements in their bottom line. For example, integrating reviews with Shoppable videos can take social proof to the next level, allowing customers to see product testimonials while directly engaging with the product.

Moreover, Shopify provides various ways to incorporate reviews — from its native review app to third-party solutions — giving store owners the flexibility to choose the best method for their business.

Different Methods to Add Reviews to Shopify

There are several ways to integrate customer reviews into your Shopify store. Let’s explore the key options.

Shopify Native Review Feature

Shopify offers a free, easy-to-use Product Reviews app that allows store owners to add a review section to their product pages. This app provides basic review functionality, making it an ideal choice for beginners or small stores looking for a simple solution.

Pros of the Shopify Product Reviews App:

• It’s free and easy to install.

• Integrates seamlessly with Shopify.

• Allows customers to leave star ratings and written reviews.

Cons:

• Limited customization options.

• Basic functionality compared to third-party review apps.

Third-Party Review Apps

For store owners looking for advanced features, there are numerous third-party review apps available in the Shopify App Store. Some of the most popular ones include:

• Judge.me: A robust, affordable review app that offers photo and video reviews.

• Loox: A visual-based review app that encourages customers to leave photo reviews.

• Yotpo: A more premium app offering both reviews and loyalty programs.

One of the standout review apps in the market today is ReelTok, which integrates Shoppable videos with customer reviews. This app allows users to see authentic, video-based product testimonials from other shoppers while simultaneously making it easy to shop directly from the video. This is especially effective for fashion, beauty, and lifestyle brands.

Features of Popular Third-Party Review Apps:

• Photo and video review options.

• Customizable layouts and display widgets.

• Automated review requests via email.

• Integration with other marketing tools (e.g., email and SMS).

• Advanced moderation features for managing customer feedback.

Manual Review Integration

For developers or advanced Shopify users, it’s possible to manually integrate reviews into your Shopify store using custom HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. This method allows for maximum control over the design and functionality of your review section, though it requires more technical expertise.

Pros of Manual Integration:

• Full customization of the review section.

• No need to rely on third-party apps or recurring fees.

Cons:

• Time-consuming and technically complex.

• Requires ongoing maintenance and updates.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Add Reviews to Shopify Store

Now that you know the different options available, let’s dive into a detailed guide on how to add reviews to your Shopify store.

Step 1: Install Shopify’s Product Reviews App

1. Log in to your Shopify admin dashboard.

2. Navigate to the Shopify App Store and search for the Product Reviews app.

3. Click on the app and then click the Add app button.

4. Once installed, go to Apps > Product Reviews in your Shopify dashboard.

Step 2: Customize the Reviews Section

After installing the app, you’ll want to customize how reviews appear on your product pages.

1. Go to Themes > Customize in your Shopify dashboard.

2. Select the Product page section and scroll down to the Reviews section.

3. Customize the design, including colors, text, and the placement of reviews.

4. Make sure the review section is easily visible but not overwhelming on the page.

Step 3: Test and Publish

Before going live with your review section, it’s important to test it:

1. Submit a test review to ensure that the review form works correctly.

2. Check how reviews are displayed on both desktop and mobile devices.

3. Save and publish your changes.

Optional: Adding Third-Party Review Apps

If you’re looking for additional features like photo and video reviews or want to integrate Shoppable videos using an app like ReelTok, here’s how:

1. Visit the Shopify App Store and search for the third-party review app of your choice (e.g., ReelTok, Judge.me, Loox).

2. Install the app and follow the on-screen instructions to integrate it with your store.

3. Configure settings like email review requests, moderation, and how reviews are displayed on your site.

4. Make sure to test the app to ensure it’s working smoothly.

Best Practices for Displaying Reviews on Shopify

Once you’ve added reviews to your store, it’s essential to follow best practices to make the most of them.

Strategic Placement

Where you place reviews can have a significant impact on how often they’re seen and how much they influence customers. Here are some strategic locations to display reviews:

• Product pages: Directly below the product description.

• Homepage: Use a widget to show recent reviews or best-rated products.

• Collection pages: Display average star ratings next to product thumbnails.

Review Moderation

It’s important to monitor and moderate your reviews to maintain the integrity of your feedback:

• Approve reviews manually or use moderation settings to filter inappropriate content.

• Ensure negative reviews are addressed professionally — respond to them publicly and show that you’re taking customer concerns seriously.

Encouraging Customers to Leave Reviews

Getting customers to leave reviews can sometimes be a challenge. Here are some proven tactics to increase review submissions:

• Email requests: Send an automated follow-up email after purchase, asking customers to leave a review.

• Incentives: Offer discounts, loyalty points, or entry into a giveaway in exchange for a review.

• Visual reviews: Encourage customers to leave photo or video reviews, especially if you're using ReelTok for Shoppable videos.

Challenges and Limitations of Adding Reviews to Shopify

App Limitations

While Shopify’s native review app is easy to use, it may lack some of the more advanced features you’d get with third-party apps. Some third-party review apps can also be costly, with monthly subscription fees that may not be feasible for smaller stores.

Managing Negative Reviews

No store wants negative reviews, but they’re inevitable. While public negative reviews can hurt your reputation, they can also provide valuable feedback. Responding to criticism constructively can demonstrate excellent customer service.

Cost Considerations

While Shopify’s free review app is great for basic use, third-party apps like ReelTok or Yotpo offer more advanced features, but they come at a cost. Store owners need to weigh the benefits against the additional expenses.

Real-Life Use Cases: Shopify Stores Successfully Using Reviews

Case Study 1: Fashion Store Boosting Engagement

A Shopify fashion store integrated Shoppable videos through ReelTok to feature customer reviews in video format. The result? A 20% increase in conversion rates as customers could see products in use and immediately make a purchase.

Case Study 2: Beauty Store Leveraging Photo Reviews

A beauty brand used Loox to display customer photos and reviews directly on product pages. This visual content enhanced trust, and the store saw a 15% boost in customer engagement within the first three months.

Takeaways

These case studies show that adding reviews, especially with visual elements like Shoppable videos, can significantly enhance customer engagement and conversions on Shopify stores.

Future Directions: Evolving Review Strategies for Shopify

The Role of Video and Photo Reviews

Visual reviews, such as photo and video testimonials, are becoming increasingly popular. Shoppable videos are particularly effective, allowing customers to make purchases directly from video reviews, thanks to apps like ReelTok.

AI-Based Review Moderation

As stores grow, managing reviews manually becomes a challenge. AI-based tools are emerging that can automatically filter out fake reviews and flag inappropriate content, ensuring a more authentic review section.

Conclusion

Customer reviews are a powerful tool that can help you build trust, improve SEO, and boost sales on your Shopify store. Whether you use Shopify’s native review app, a third-party tool like ReelTok, or manually integrate reviews, the key is to make them easily accessible and authentic.

Adding reviews is a straightforward process, but its impact on your store can be profound. By leveraging customer feedback, and enhancing it with features like Shoppable videos, you can take your Shopify store to the next level. Start today by integrating reviews and watch your store's credibility and sales grow.

By following this guide, you’ll not only know how to add reviews to Shopify, but also how to maximize their impact on your store's success.