Asking for reviews after a purchase isn’t easy. People forget, ignore emails, or just move on. But if your Shopify store uses a chatbot, that task gets a whole lot simpler. These tools can start a casual follow-up right after delivery when the experience is still fresh.
Why real reviews matter
Real opinions from other shoppers can be the nudge someone needs to hit “buy”. People trust what others say far more than brand claims. But unless the review process is quick and easy, most customers won’t bother and your team ends up spending time chasing feedback.
Why it’s a struggle for many stores
Many stores hit a wall here – customers don’t always respond, and staff end up chasing reviews manually. All that follow-up takes time, and often, it doesn’t pay off. Emails are easy to ignore, messages get buried, and the few replies you get don’t always show the full picture.
Using tools, or platforms like AI-powered Google review management tool can significantly help staff by automating review requests, tracking responses in one dashboard, and alerting team members about new reviews needing attention, reducing manual workload, and ensuring timely follow-up.
Chatbots make review requests feel natural
Chatbots can take over the review request process entirely. Right after a purchase, they reach out with a friendly check-in, nothing pushy or scripted. This makes the whole experience feel more like a conversation than a formal request. By reaching out in the customer’s voice and at the right moment, chatbots can help gather more honest, useful feedback. For the sake of smooth operation, shop owners typically employ AI chatbot testing methods to make sure the messages are clear and don’t come off as robotic. Regular testing also helps prevent misunderstandings and keeps the tone consistent across different customer interactions.
Example:
Bot: “Hi Mia! Just checking in—how did you like your ‘Lavender Dream Candle’?”
Mia: “It’s perfect!”
Bot: “Love that! Mind dropping a quick review? It really helps others decide.”
(Button: Leave a Review)
This kind of message feels like a quick, friendly nudge—not a demand. And that tends to get better responses.
Why conversations beat cold emails
Emails can be overlooked. Chatbots, on the other hand, talk to customers in real time. They respond based on what the shopper says and only follow up if needed. Plus, setup is straightforward. Most Shopify-compatible apps are plug-and-play, no coding experience required.
At Atmos Funded, we’ve seen how chatbots can transform customer interactions and review requests. By engaging in real-time conversations, chatbots create a more personalized experience, making it easier for customers to provide feedback. We’ve noticed a 25% increase in review submissions since integrating a chatbot, proving that a well-timed, conversational approach is far more effective than traditional email requests.
Connor Woods’ insight highlights how chatbots can improve customer engagement and drive better results for review requests, showcasing their effectiveness over cold emails.
Don’t just collect reviews, keep them clean too
Some messages aren’t helpful or worse, inappropriate. Modern chat tools can screen incoming reviews to catch:
- Spam or irrelevant content
- Suspicious patterns or fake reviews
- Offensive language
This cuts down on moderation work and helps maintain your brand’s credibility. It’s especially useful for stores getting a lot of reviews quickly.
Chatbots can do more than just ask for reviews
Most chatbot apps also offer features like:
- Answering common customer questions
- Giving order updates
- Recommending products based on what a visitor browses
- Reminding customers about items left in their carts
Say a customer adds a few items to their cart but doesn’t check out. A quick follow-up might look like this:
“Hey! I noticed you left a few items. Do you still want them?”
That simple nudge can lead to more completed checkouts. Many stores say this has helped them recover up to 30% of abandoned carts.
How to know if it’s actually working
After you’ve got it installed, keep an eye on how it’s doing. Some things to track:
- Check response rates
- Revival cart conversions
- Time saved on support requests
- Return customer boost
Try different setups and adapt as needed. What works for one store could totally tank another.
When to let a bot handle it and when not to
Bots aren’t perfect. They can miss the tone or struggle with tricky questions. Not everyone is okay with that. Some customers still prefer talking to a real person, especially when it comes to returns. To make it work better:
- Don’t overload customers with too many messages.
- Offer an easy way to speak to a human.
- Review responses and adjust your setup as needed.
Adding a chatbot to Shopify is easy
Getting started on Shopify takes minutes. Most chatbot apps walk you through the setup, and some even come with ready-to-use templates. Once installed, you can start using them to:
- Collect more reviews
- Offer 24/7 help
- Recommend products
- Reduce support ticket volume
And it’s not just a trend, according to a 2023 report by Juniper Research, chatbot-powered sales could reach $142 billion in 2024.
Final thought
Chatbots are not intended to substitute your customer support team; they’re meant to help. They can simplify collecting reviews, re-engage absent buyers, and make simple tasks automated. Done right, they’ll liberate teams’ time and make your store more responsive – while helping you grow.
