How to use rewards to get more reviews and loyal customers
By Lily Vuong
Jul 23, 2025
Picture this: A customer receives your product, loves it, and moves on with their day. Great, job done.
But what if that moment could do even more for your brand's reputation?
A well-timed review doesn’t just boost your product’s reputation. It opens a door, it’s a chance to connect, express your gratitude, and bring that customer back for more.
The secret sauce though is tapping into an added extra. A thoughtful reward that says: “Hey, we noticed you – and we appreciate it.”
In this guide, we’ll show you how to use rewards to spark those connections and help build lasting loyalty.
It’s time to turn your thank-you into a strategy!
What is a loyalty review program?
A loyalty review program is a system where customers are rewarded for leaving product reviews – usually through a brand’s loyalty or points-based rewards program.
It’s a structured way to encourage feedback by giving something back, whether that is in the form of points, discounts, freebies, or early access to new products – it’s your call!
Instead of just hoping customers leave a review after a purchase, you give them a reason to. The ask becomes an exchange: “Share your thoughts, and we’ll reward you for your time.”
Why rewards work
Ever held the door open for someone and they smiled or said thanks? That’s reciprocity live in action!
That same principle applies when you offer a small reward for a review: people naturally want to return the favor.
Customers are often happy to share their thoughts – they just need the right moment and a little nudge.
A small thank-you, like a discount or loyalty points, makes the process feel more appreciated and worthwhile.
Rewards create a positive emotional loop and when people feel recognized, they’re more likely to stick around, buy again, and tell others.
That little act of acknowledgement might just be the spark that starts long-term loyalty.
💡 Judge.me data shows that one in three of the top 20 stores using review rewards saw conversion rates over 4%. The top performer hit 8.73%.
If your brand stands for creativity, sustainability, or community, your reward can echo that.
Think of what your customer might appreciate, whether that’s eco-friendly items, exclusive member content, or discounts (which should encourage repeat purchases!)
Why would a brand start using a reward program?
For brands, a loyalty review program can help turn passive buyers into active promoters. It’s a smart way to gather more (and better) user-generated content, and it’s something that drives both trust and conversion.
It also helps solve a major problem in ecommerce: the review gap.
Most satisfied customers never leave a review unless prompted. And yet, reviews are often what new shoppers rely on most.
A loyalty review program closes that loop by incentivizing customers at exactly the right moment when their experience is still fresh, and they can be much more valuable than just quantity.
When people feel appreciated, they tend to leave more thoughtful, positive, and detailed feedback.
Over time, this builds your store’s credibility, improves product pages, and gives hesitant shoppers the confidence to click "Buy."
In short: it’s not just a review tactic – it’s a trust and retention play.
Four ways you can make the most of a reward program
So, how do you actually put a loyalty review program into action, and make sure it works for both your brand and your customers?
Here are four aspects to consider when thinking about how to get the most out of a reward program.
1. Plan before you ask: Make rewards work for both you and your customers
Before shooting your first review request emails, take a step back and map out what kind of experience you want to offer your customers. What are you offering in return, and why?
Here are some helpful prompts:
Who’s eligible? Everyone or just verified buyers?
What’s the reward? Discount, free shipping, store credit?
Should photo/video reviews get extra perks?
Having a plan helps you avoid over-rewarding and keeps your offer aligned with your goals.
For instance, if you want more UGC and photo reviews, look to reward them with store credit as that only incentivizes them to do as you ask but also brings them back for a second purchase.
Some brands even adjust rewards by customer stage – newcomers get a small perk, while returning customers unlock tiered benefits.
Plus, planning makes tracking easier. Are more customers uploading photos after you changed the reward? Are they coming back for round two?
By using data, you can test different types of rewards and make them more impactful for both your business goals and their satisfaction.
2. Timing is everything
Sending your review request at just the right time doesn’t just increase your chances of getting a response, it also makes your reward offer more compelling.
When customers receive a review request after they’ve had a chance to enjoy the product, they’re more likely to take action.
And if that request includes a reward, like a discount for leaving a review, it feels like perfect timing.
The trick is to find that moment when customers are engaged but not yet distracted by their next purchase.
For a lot of stores that sweet spot is about 14 days after delivery but, depending on your product, it might be sooner or later.
Clothing/apparel may only take a few days, whereas skincare or tech is more likely to have made an impact over the span of a couple of weeks.
Here are a few tips to fine-tune your timing:
Adjust timing based on the product category
Prioritize sending requests based on product prices
Set a custom time to send the requests for better results
Use different delays for domestic and international orders
The right moment + a small reward = a stronger response and a more loyal customer.
3. Make sure it comes across as authentic
Your review request should feel like it came from a real person who cares, not just an afterthought or need-to-do.
Keep it warm, kind, and aligned with your brand voice.
Avoid stiff lines like: “Submit review to receive coupon,” as people are more likely to dismiss this due to the fact it’s quite direct and there’s no real emotional buy-in.
If your brand is playful, lean into it. If you're more refined, keep it classy.
Also, it’s worth considering adding visuals like customer photos or a soft design touch to make the email feel friendly.
4. Automate as much as you can
Once your strategy is mapped out, it’s time to let automation do the legwork. A consistent, hands-free system means you're building loyalty while focusing on other parts of your business.
What should your setup include?
Scheduled review requests (based on shipping time)
Automated reward delivery (after the review is submitted)
Tiered incentives (like extra discounts for photo/video reviews)
Simple referrals (so happy customers can spread the word)
Not only can set up coupon rewards that are automatically delivered after a review is submitted through Judge.me, but also our users can integrate with more established loyalty apps such as LoyaltyLion and Smile.io.
This means you can make reviews part of your broader rewards program; customers earn points for sharing feedback and can redeem them however your loyalty system allows.
Points for a review? Check. Perks for sharing? Good idea.
From there, it should just be a case of set it, track it, and then, when the time comes, tweak it!
You already know that realistically, things aren’t always going to go smoothly, perhaps a glitch here or a missed reward there.
But with the right system in place, you can monitor performance, catch issues early, and keep improving the experience.
Start small, stay consistent, and the apps do the heavy lifting for you.
Final thoughts: Small incentives, long-term value
Incorporating rewards into your review strategy is a practical way to encourage customer feedback and reinforce loyalty.
When paired with the right timing and a friendly tone, a small incentive can significantly boost engagement.
To recap:
Know your goals and define your reward plan.
Choose a review request timing that fits your product and audience.
Use clear, authentic messaging that reflects your brand.
Set up automation to deliver rewards seamlessly.
A thoughtful reward doesn’t need to be big, it just needs to feel timely and sincere.
Over time, this simple gesture can help you collect better reviews and build stronger customer relationships.
Interested in learning more about loyalty and retention? Watch our webinar with Gorgias.
