Hi there,

Welcome to our last edition for the year 2025. I am not ready to reflect on the whole year, however, I am excited for 2026. There will be many new features coming to WordPress with the three major releases and also plenty of bug fixes and quality-of-life enhancement towards consistency.

The first edition for 2026 will have to wait a bit and it is scheduled for January 24, 2026, roughly a month from now, due to my vacation and training schedule.

I wish you and yours wonderful Holidays and a happy, prosperous and healthy New Year!

Yours,
Birgit

Steve Burge and Dan Knauss interviewed me for the PublishPress podcast. We covered WordPress 6.9’s six new blocks (accordion, term query, time to read, math, comment count, and comment link) plus editorial notes for team collaboration. The release marks a restart after Automattic’s contribution pause.

WordPress 7.0 ( April 9, 2025) will bring template management improvements and a tabs block. The AI team is building foundational infrastructure—Abilities API, MCP Adapter, PHP AI SDK, and experiments plugin—enabling plugins to integrate with AI assistants. Real-time collaborative editing remains in development, facing technical hosting challenges. The recording is available on YouTube.

Roadmap WordPress 7.0 and two more releases in 2026

In his lates post, Matias Ventura, lead architect of Gutenberg, laid out the plan for WordPress 7.0. It’s aspirational and not all the items will make it into the next major version of WordPress. The very detailed plan covers the project’s shift into Phase 3: Collaboration, a vision for real-time co-editing, and enhanced communication through site notes. Ventura underscores the modernization of the administrative experience via a unified design system and expanded DataViews. By integrating a standardized AI API and advancing responsive editing tools, WordPress 7.0 aims to unify the design and development process. Ultimately, the release promises to deliver a more cohesive and performant platform through refined navigation and versatile new core blocks. Here are the broad topics of the plan.

• Collaboration
• Admin
• APIs
• Navigation Block
• Customization
• Blocks
• Media

Jonathan Desrosiers also published the proposed schedule of the 2026 releases. Following the schedule, we have two more dates to put on our calendars: Beta 1 for WordPress 7.0 will be on February 19, and RC 1 is scheduled for March 19, 2026.

Provided the Release squad approves this schedule. I also can offer a timeline for the WordPress 7.0 Source of Truth: First draft will be available for public preview on February 26, 2026, and the post will be published on March 26, 2026.

Gutenberg 22.3 and beyond

Hector Prieto led the release of Gutenberg 22.3 (December 17). In his release post he highlighted:

1. Dedicated Fonts page for easier typography management
2. Image editing improvements
3. Responsive Grid block
4. Other highlights

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Dave Smith, core conditrbutor on the GGutenbergProject explains in his video
The changes leveling up Navigation in WordPress 7.0,He wrote in tthedescription: “Navigation is one of the most important — and most frustrating — parts of building a WordPress site.In this video, I walk you through what’s changing, why it matters, and show the real work already underway — including early prototypes and demos.” Check it out.

Plugins and Tools for #nocode site builders

Jamie Marsland is at it again with short videos and teaching you new skills. In his latest video “How to Create a High-Converting Landing Page With WordPress (Free Blueprint)” he gives you step -y -tep instructions for an easy way to create high-converting WordPress landing pages using only core blocks. He built a distraction-free landing page based on the StoryBrand methodology, so each section has a clear purpose and guides visitors through a simple story as they scroll.

Sarah Perez, consumer tech editor at TechCrunch, reported that “WordPress’s vibe-coding experiment, Telex, is now being used” and it features Automattic’s AI tool for natural language web development. Introduced at the “State of the Word” event, Telex allows users to create complex Gutenberg blocks, like pricing calculators and logo carousels, without coding. Perez highlights how “vibe coding” makes site building accessible for non-tech users, enabling them to create professional results. With the new Abilities API, Telex marks WordPress’s move toward AI-driven workflows that streamline the design process.

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Courtney Robertson Developer advocate at GoDaddy released the plugin Post Formats for Block Themes, which brings back old-school post formats to modern WordPress block themes. It restores useful features for galleries, quotes, and videos often missing in newer themes. You’ll find smart auto-detection, unique block patterns for each format, and a handy Chat Log block for easy transcripts. By combining these classic tools with today’s full-site editing, this plugin helps creators maintain a great design and add variety in a simple and accessible way.

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Valentin Grenier, a WordPress developer from Toulouse, France, just dropped his first plugin: Simple block animations. It’s a cool, lightweight tool for adding some fun scroll-triggered visual effects to your Gutenberg blocks without needing to mess with any custom code. You get five different animation types, like fades and slides,, thatyou can tweak with durations and delays. Built using the Intersection Observer API and good old native CSS, it keeps things running smoothly by loading assets only when they’re needed while also being mindful of motion preferences to make it accessible.

What’s new in WordPress Playground

Felyph Centra posted a few video on WordPressTV to showcase various features of WordPress Playground

Previewing GitHub branches with WordPress Playground. This video demonstrates a method to streamline development reviews. This technique addresses the common pain point of needing complex local environments or relying on static screenshots to share work in progress.

Introduction to WordPress Playground landing page. The new landing page explains the capabilities of the platform and what is possible with WordPress Playground.

Using WordPress Playground to work with AI agents. Centra shared how you can use the WordPress Playground to integrate with AI agents. with an example that uses GitHub Copilot agents. Using this flow it executes small tasks for a plugin, such as refactoring code or updating documentation. WordPress Playground can serve as a base to validate the AI agent’s code changes using E2E tests.

In the post Action required: github-proxy.com shutdown Centra lays out the migration to switch over from a third-party proxy server to Playground’s built -n CORS handling. Your existing blueprints are safe, though. If you worked with Blueprints you can also learn how to reference GitHub repos, folders and files with native Playground resources.

Building Blocks and Tools for the Block editor

In this week’s livestream JuanMa Garrido explored how to create commands for the Commands Palette. WordPress 6.9 brought the Command Palette to the whole WordPress space and not just restrict it to the Site Editor. Now all plugin developer can register commands together with their plugin’s features.

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Justin Tadlock published the monthly roundup on What’s new for developers? (December 2025), noting WordPress 6.9 “Gene” and pointing to the 6.9 Field Guide and State of the Word. Highlights include the new AI Experiments plugin, Breadcrumbs block improvements heading toward stability, and an experimental Tabs block. Tooling updates cover WPCS 3.3.0, Data Views/Forms and Field API enhancements, @wordpress/boot routing, and a visibility key rename. Themes and Playground also saw notable updates.

Ryan Welcher shot a video What’s New For WordPress Developers – December 2025, covering the parts of the blog post.

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As a reader of this newsletter you might already know about WordPress Studio, the fast, free, open-source local development tool, that’s based on WordPress Playground. Nick Diego recorded a Getting Started with WordPress Studio video and walks you through creating local sites, configuring your environment, and using the tools that come bundled with the app. You’ll also learn how to unlock advanced features with a free WordPress.com account, including syncing with WordPress.com and Pressable, sharing live preview links, and using the built-in AI Assistant to accelerate development. Whether you build plugins, create themes, or manage client projects, Studio helps you work faster and smarter.

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In her post, Build Custom Event Lists & Grids With One Block: Event Query Loop Block Ultimate Guide, Lesley Sim shared a comprehensive tutorial for managing EventKoi’s specialized query block within WordPress. The post details how to create custom list and grid layouts using various query parameters, such as date ranges and recurring event instances, without any coding. By explaining the block’s internal structure and the flexible Event Data block, Sim illustrates how users can achieve precise design control and dynamic content display.

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In his latest post for the WordPress Developer Blog, Word Switcher: Extending Core Blocks with Interactivity, JuanMa Garrido provides a practical guide for beginners on enhancing standard WordPress blocks using native tools. Garrido demonstrates how to combine the Format API for editor controls, the HTML API for server-side processing, and the Interactivity API for frontend animations. Developers learn to create a “word switcher” effect that cycles through text variations without relying on heavy external libraries. This approach ensures a lightweight, performant, and professional workflow that bridges the gap between simple content entry and modern, reactive web design.

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Questions? Suggestions? Ideas?
Don’t hesitate to send them via email or
send me a message on WordPress Slack or Twitter @bph.

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For questions to be answered on the Gutenberg Changelog,
send them to changelog@gutenbergtimes.com

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Getting customers to leave reviews isn’t always easy, even when they’re happy with your product or service.

Without enough positive reviews, your business can look less trustworthy and may even struggle to rank in local search results.

The good news is that you don’t need to be pushy or tech-savvy to get great feedback from real customers.

In this guide, I’ll show you how I consistently get more customer reviews using simple, beginner-friendly tips that anyone can follow.

You’ll learn how to ask for reviews naturally, automate follow-ups, and display them beautifully on your website to attract even more buyers.

Why Do Customer Reviews Matter?

Customer reviews are a big deal because they can shape how people see your business — and whether they decide to buy from you.

Here’s why they’re so important:

• Build Trust and Credibility: When someone visits your website for the first time, they want to know if they can trust you. Honest reviews from real customers give instant reassurance.
• Boost Your Local SEO: Reviews don’t just improve your reputation — they help Google notice you and recommend you to people in your local area. The more positive feedback you have, the higher your business can show up in local search results.
• Increase Conversions With Social Proof: Reviews act like little nudges. When visitors see that others have had great experiences, they’re more likely to make a purchase, sign up, or reach out. It’s proof that your product or service really works.

For example, all of our partner brands showcase real user testimonials on their websites. This simple addition has helped them build trust, keep their audience engaged, and show that their products really deliver.

How to Create a Customer Review Form in WordPress

Before you start collecting reviews, you’ll need an easy way for customers to share their feedback. That’s where WPForms comes in.

It’s hands down the best drag-and-drop form builder for WordPress. You can use it to create a customer review form in just a few minutes, complete with star ratings, comment boxes, and custom fields — all without writing a single line of code.

👉 To get started, check out our step-by-step tutorial on how to create a client feedback form in WordPress.

Once your form is ready, you’ll have a dedicated place for customers to leave their reviews — making the next steps of collecting feedback even easier.

With that in mind, let’s jump into my beginner-friendly tips for collecting more reviews. You can also use the links below to skip ahead to a specific tip:

• 12 Proven Tips to Get More Customer Reviews
  • Ask Right After Completing a Purchase or Project
  • Request Reviews After Positive Customer Support Interactions
  • Follow Up a Few Days Later
  • Add a Review Section in Customer Accounts
  • Add Review Links to Email Signatures and Order Receipts
  • Use QR Codes to Make Leaving Reviews Effortless
  • Showcase Reviews Prominently on Your Website
  • Collect Reviews with On-Site Popups
  • Offer Incentives to Encourage Reviews
  • Encourage Reviews on Social Media
  • Collect Video Testimonials
  • Track and Improve Your Review Strategy
• ❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid When Asking For a Review
• 🤝 How to Handle Negative Reviews Gracefully
• Frequently Asked Questions About Collecting Customer Reviews

12 Proven Tips to Get More Customer Reviews

Collecting reviews doesn’t have to be a guessing game. With a few simple strategies, you can make it super easy for customers to share their feedback.

I’ve put together 12 proven tips that have worked well for our partner brands and can work for you, too.

Let’s dive in and start turning happy customers into glowing reviews.

1. Ask Right After Completing a Purchase or Project

The best time to ask for a review is right after a customer buys something or you finish a project. That’s when they’re happiest and most willing to share feedback.

I’ve found that adding a review request to the thank-you page works surprisingly well. This is the page customers see immediately after placing an order, submitting a form, or booking a service.

It works great for WooCommerce stores, membership sites, online courses, agencies, photographers, and pretty much any business with a checkout or confirmation step.

With SeedProd, you can create a custom thank-you page in just a few minutes. It is the best WordPress page builder that has ready-made templates and even includes a WPForms block for integrating your survey form.

This makes it super easy to embed your customer review form directly on the thank-you page, so customers can leave feedback without clicking a separate link.

If you are interested, take a look at our tutorial on how to create thank-you pages in WordPress.

Of course, not everyone will leave a review instantly — and that’s where automated emails help.

You can send a friendly thank-you message along with the customer’s receipt and include a quick review request. For WooCommerce stores, FunnelKit Automations is one of the best tools to do this.

It includes a pre-built post-purchase email sequence that lets you easily add a link to your review form. This keeps everything fully automated and reminds customers when they’re most likely to respond.

I recommend checking out our tutorial on how to create post-purchase surveys in WordPress to set this up step-by-step.

2. Request Reviews After Positive Customer Support Interactions

Some of the best reviews come from customers who have had a great support experience. Across our brands, we like to reach out right after resolving a ticket or when a customer praises our team because they’re happy, engaged, and much more likely to leave a review.

Several popular helpdesk plugins let you easily send review requests after positive customer interactions. For instance, with HelpScout, you can set up a simple workflow to follow up automatically after a ticket is resolved.

Tools like FollowUpThen let you schedule a friendly reminder to send a review request, so nothing slips through the cracks.

Other helpdesk platforms, like Zendesk, Freshdesk, and HubSpot Service Hub, offer similar features to automate this process.

If your support includes live chat, then you can use WPChat — a powerful WordPress live chat plugin that lets your agents talk to visitors in real time using platforms like WhatsApp, Messenger, and Telegram.

Your support agents can ask for reviews right after helping a customer and share a link to your review form instantly. Reaching out while the experience is still fresh makes customers much more likely to leave a thoughtful, positive review.

To get started with WPChat, see our guide on how to add free live chat in WordPress.

3. Follow Up a Few Days Later

Sometimes customers don’t leave a review immediately because they’re busy, distracted, or need a little time to experience your product. That’s why sending a gentle reminder 7–10 days after delivery can make a big difference.

By then, physical products have usually arrived, and digital products have had time to be used, so your customers can give more thoughtful, accurate feedback.

You can automate this process to save time. For WooCommerce physical products, I recommend FunnelKit Automations, which lets you create post-purchase email sequences with built-in review requests.

It’s a great choice because it can use your store’s shipping and delivery data to time the follow-up email perfectly.

For digital products, Uncanny Automator works great.

It connects with popular plugins and can trigger a review request after a user completes a course, downloads a file, or makes a purchase through Easy Digital Downloads.

You can also easily add a delay between the trigger and the action by clicking the ‘Delay’ link in the recipe editor.

It opens a simple prompt where you can set how long to wait before the email is sent—for example, 3 days, 1 week, or a custom timeframe.

This ensures your follow-up hits at the perfect moment: after customers have had time to use your product, but while the experience is still fresh.

To find out how to do this, take a look at our tutorial on creating automated workflows in WordPress.

4. Add a Review Section in Customer Accounts

Another easy way to get more reviews is to let customers leave feedback directly from their account dashboard on your website.

I’ve noticed this works especially well on membership sites and online learning platforms, where users log in frequently and engage with your content over time.

Giving them a convenient spot to leave a review right inside their account increases the chances they’ll actually do it.

You can easily set this up in WordPress by opening the customer account page in the block editor. From there, just add a WPForms block with your review form.

For the best results, place it somewhere visible but not intrusive — for example, near the top of the dashboard, on a “My Account” or “Dashboard” tab, or under recent purchases or course progress.

If you don’t know how to do that, check out our guide on embedding WordPress forms.

If you prefer, you can also link to the review form rather than embed it directly. This works well if you want to keep the dashboard clean or direct users to external review sites like Google, Yelp, or Facebook.

5. Add Review Links to Email Signatures and Order Receipts

One of the easiest ways to get more reviews is to include a ‘Leave a Review’ link in your team’s email signatures.

Every email your team sends, whether it’s a support reply, invoice, or general correspondence, becomes an opportunity to remind customers to share feedback.

This works because it’s subtle, consistent, and reaches customers naturally without feeling pushy.

You can set this up quickly in Gmail (or most email clients) by going to the Settings page and scrolling down to the ‘Signature’ section. Then, create a short, friendly line like:

“Enjoying your purchase? We’d love your feedback! [Leave a Review]”

Another great spot for review requests is order receipts. Customers usually check their receipt right after a purchase, so it’s the perfect time to remind them you value their experience.

A quick, friendly prompt can encourage them to leave feedback while the experience is still fresh.

If you’re using FunnelKit Automations, it automatically creates an order details email notification for WooCommerce. You can easily customize this email to include your review request.

Simply go to the FunnelKit Automations » Settings » Emails page from the WordPress dashboard and click the ‘Edit’ link next to the ‘Order Details’ option.

This will open the email editor, where you can drag a ‘Text’ block right after the order details, and add your review sentence with a link to your feedback form.

Once you’re happy with it, click ‘Save’ to store your changes.

Then, go back to the Emails page and toggle the switch next to ‘Order Details’.

FunnelKit will automatically send your order receipt emails with the review link now included. This makes it effortless to turn every purchase into an opportunity for feedback.

6. Use QR Codes to Make Leaving Reviews Effortless

If you have customers who interact with your business offline — like in-store shoppers, event attendees, or people receiving physical products — then a QR code can make leaving a review super easy.

You could print the QR code on receipts, packaging, brochures, or even flyers. When customers scan it with their phone, they’re taken directly to your review form or landing page, making the process quick and effortless.

A tool I like for this is QRCode Monkey. It’s completely free and lets you create a QR code that links to any URL.

To use it for reviews, you need to first create a dedicated customer review page. Once your page is ready, just copy its URL and paste it into the QR code generator.

It will create a scannable QR code that takes customers straight to your review form. You can download the QR code by clicking the ‘Download PNG’ button.

Then add the QR code somewhere noticeable, such as at the bottom of receipts, on product inserts, or in a brochure.

I also recommend adding a short prompt nearby, like ”Scan here to leave a quick review — it only takes a minute!‘, to draw attention and encourage customers to actually take action.

This simple step turns even offline interactions into valuable opportunities for feedback.

7. Showcase Reviews Prominently on Your Website

You should make sure your customer reviews stand out and catch visitors’ attention as soon as they land on your website.

For the best results, I recommend placing these reviews on your homepage, product pages, and even the checkout page to build trust at key decision points.

When visitors see authentic, positive testimonials, they’re reminded that other people are sharing their experiences, which often motivates them to add their own review.

For WordPress users, Smash Balloon Reviews Feed Pro is the best reviews plugin for managing and displaying customer reviews.

It gives you full control over which reviews appear, lets you filter by star rating, and offers flexible display options, such as carousels or grids.

This makes it easy to showcase reviews in a professional, engaging way without touching a single line of code.

For step-by-step instructions, see our guide on displaying Google, Facebook, and Yelp reviews in WordPress.

8. Collect Reviews with On-Site Popups

Another easy way to increase the number of reviews you get is by asking visitors at the right moment. On-site popups let you target engaged users, so you can collect quick feedback without interrupting their experience.

You can trigger these popups based on time spent on a page, scroll depth, or when a visitor views specific product pages. This ensures you’re only asking users who are already interested, which leads to more reviews and higher-quality responses.

UserFeedback is one of the best survey plugins for this purpose, and it’s the tool I recommend if you want a quick, non-intrusive popup that blends naturally into your site.

You can create simple star ratings, short questions, or lightweight surveys, and place them on the pages that matter most.

If you want to see how it works, you can follow our step-by-step tutorial on how to create a survey form in WordPress.

For more control over who sees your popups—and exactly when—OptinMonster is the better fit. It includes advanced targeting rules such as scroll-depth triggers, page-level display, device targeting, and exit-intent detection.

This makes it ideal for stores that want to personalize review requests based on user behavior or show popups only during key moments in the buyer journey.

To dive deeper into what’s possible, you can check out our full guide on how to create popups in WordPress.

9. Offer Incentives to Encourage Reviews

Giving customers a little nudge can go a long way when it comes to collecting reviews, but you don’t have to offer money to make it effective.

I’ve found that non-monetary incentives work really well and feel natural for both your business and your customers. Think along the lines of early access to new products, exclusive content, or special recognition in your community.

If you want to go the coupon or discount route, you can set up rewards for leaving a review without violating platform rules.

Tools like WooCommerce Points and Rewards let you give points for actions such as writing a review, which customers can later redeem for discounts.

For stores that want a purpose-built solution, Loyalty Program by Advanced Coupons is my top recommendation. It’s specifically designed to reward customers for leaving reviews, as well as for other actions such as purchases or social shares.

You can easily create custom reward rules, track points, and automate notifications to let customers know when they’ve earned something for their feedback.

To get started, see our tutorial on how to create a loyalty program in WooCommerce.

10. Encourage Reviews on Social Media

Social media is a great way to get more reviews while also engaging your audience. I’ve found that when you ask followers to share their experiences in a friendly way, it not only encourages participation but also strengthens your community.

You can run simple campaigns asking people to leave a review or share a story about how they use your product.

Alternatively, you can run interactive campaigns with RafflePress. This powerful giveaway plugin allows you to create contests or giveaways that encourage followers to leave reviews, share posts, or engage with your content.

You can set up simple rules, track entries, and even integrate it with email marketing tools.

For example, you could run a “Share Your Experience” campaign where participants submit a review or testimonial to earn a chance to win a small prize. This creates a fun, non-intrusive way to boost reviews and engagement.

For step-by-step instructions, take a look at our tutorial on how to run a social media contest to grow your site.

11. Collect Video Testimonials

Video testimonials are one of the most powerful ways to build trust with potential customers. When people see real customers talking about their experience, it creates an instant connection and makes your product or service feel more authentic.

You can reach out to your top customers and ask them to submit short video reviews. These videos can then be displayed on your homepage, sales pages, or dedicated testimonial pages to boost credibility and encourage more purchases.

To make collecting videos easy, WPForms is a great choice. You can create a simple upload form where customers can submit their videos directly from your website.

However, uploading videos directly to WordPress can put a heavy load on your server, especially on shared hosting. That’s why I highly recommend using the Google Drive or Dropbox addons offered by WPForms.

Once activated, these addons connect your website to your preferred cloud storage, and all videos submitted by your users are safely saved there.

This setup keeps your website running smoothly while making it easy to manage user-submitted videos. You can then select the best ones from your storage to display on your reviews page so that visitors can watch them.

12. Track and Improve Your Review Strategy

Collecting reviews is great, but understanding what’s working—and what’s not—is where the real magic happens. I always make it a point to monitor how many reviews I’m getting, where they’re coming from, and which products or pages are generating the most feedback.

This helps me fine-tune my timing, messaging, and tools to achieve even better results over time.

MonsterInsights is my go-to tool for tracking review submissions in WordPress. By integrating it with your WordPress forms or popups, you can see which pages drive the most reviews, identify trends, and uncover which campaigns are truly effective.

It’s also the easiest way to set up Google Analytics without touching a single line of code, giving you reliable insights without the headache.

If you want a full walkthrough, check out our guide on how to set up WordPress form tracking in Google Analytics.

Beyond numbers, it’s equally important to listen to the feedback in the reviews themselves. Customers often share valuable insights, suggestions, or pain points you might not hear anywhere else.

Acting on this feedback not only improves your products or services but also shows your customers that you genuinely care, which can encourage even more positive reviews in the future.

By combining analytics with active listening, you can continuously refine your review strategy, make smarter decisions, and turn customer feedback into a powerful growth tool.

❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid When Asking For a Review

Getting more customer reviews works best when the process feels natural.

I’ve noticed a few mistakes that can make it harder to get feedback, so here’s what to watch out for:

• Asking Too Soon or Too Often – If you ask a customer for a review before they’ve had enough time to experience your product or service, they may not have much to say. Waiting a few days or a week can lead to more thoughtful, helpful feedback.
• Offering Direct Monetary Rewards – Giving money or gift cards for reviews can violate the rules on third-party platforms like Google or Yelp. However, offering small incentives, such as loyalty points or discount coupons, for reviews collected directly on your website is a common and acceptable practice.
• Using Automated Messages Without Personalization – I’ve found that reviews get much better responses when you add a personal touch, like mentioning the customer’s name or the product they bought. A simple, friendly note goes a long way.
• Making it Hard For Customers to Leave Feedback – Long or confusing forms, missing links, or unclear instructions can stop customers from leaving a review, even if they want to. Keep your process simple and easy to follow.
• Failing to Follow-Up – Sometimes, a gentle reminder a few days after a purchase or service can make a big difference. Following up shows you value their feedback and gives customers another chance to leave a review.

Focusing on these points will help you collect more honest, helpful reviews without making customers feel pressured.

🤝 How to Handle Negative Reviews Gracefully

Even if you follow all the best practices, sometimes reviews won’t be positive. Negative feedback happens to every business, and it’s completely normal.

The key is how you respond. Handling criticism gracefully can actually turn a tricky situation into a win for your brand and even encourage more customers to share their experiences.

Here are some tips:

• Stay Calm And Professional: It’s easy to feel defensive, but responding politely and thoughtfully shows that you value feedback. A friendly, composed response speaks volumes to both the reviewer and anyone else reading your reviews.
• Offer to Resolve The Issue Privately: Suggest moving the conversation to email or direct messages to fix the problem. This keeps the discussion constructive and helps avoid public back-and-forth that could escalate.
• Once Resolved, Ask if They’d Consider Updating Their Review: After the customer’s concern is addressed, politely invite them to revise their review to reflect the updated experience. Many are happy to do so when they see the effort you put into resolving the issue.

I’ve found that responding to negative reviews with empathy and a clear solution not only helps repair the relationship but also shows other customers that you genuinely care.

Using a customer support plugin can make this process much easier. These tools let you track tickets, respond quickly, and even set up workflows to follow up after issues are resolved.

If you want, check out our guide on the best customer support plugins for WordPress to see the top options for managing support efficiently.

Frequently Asked Questions About Collecting Customer Reviews

Even with all these tips, you probably still have a few questions.

I’ve answered the most common ones I get from business owners, keeping it simple and actionable:

Is it legal to offer rewards for reviews?

Yes, but only if you are collecting reviews on your own website and clearly disclose it.

Offering rewards for reviews on third-party platforms like Google, Yelp, or Trustpilot is against their rules and can result in penalties. Stick to site-hosted reviews for incentivized programs.

How many reviews should I get per month?

Focus on consistency rather than quantity. Even adding 5–10 new reviews each month can help improve your search rankings and gradually build trust with potential customers.

How do I ask for reviews naturally?

The key is to be friendly and personal. For example, sending a message like, “Your opinion helps others — would you mind sharing your thoughts?” feels more genuine than a generic automated request.

Where should I focus on getting reviews first?

Start with platforms that directly affect your visibility, such as Google Business Profile and Facebook. Once you have a solid foundation there, you can expand to industry-specific sites like Tripadvisor, Trustpilot, or other niche review sites relevant to your business.

Remember, any incentives should only apply to reviews on your own website, not third-party platforms.

What’s the best way to handle negative reviews?

Always respond politely, acknowledge the customer’s concern, and offer to resolve the issue offline. Using tools like WPForms or UserFeedback can help you collect private feedback before it becomes a public complaint, which often turns unhappy customers into satisfied ones.

I hope this article helped you learn how to collect more customer reviews for your business. You may also want to see our guide on how I turned my WordPress.org reviews into social proof and our top picks for the best customer service tools.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post How I Get More Customer Reviews (12 Easy Tips You Can Try Too) first appeared on WPBeginner.

It’s exciting to announce that Stephen Wolfram has joined as a special advisor to Automattic.

I promise this is not just because he is such an incredible blogger, using WordPress, natch.

If you don’t know about Stephen Wolfram, his about page is not a bad place to start, but far more interesting is his 2019 essay on Seeking the Productive Life, which includes a setup for hiking outdoors while typing on a laptop.

Stephen was doing the remote CEO thing decades before I imagined Automattic. He spoke at Automattic’s Grand Meetup in 2019 and one of my favorite memories was seeing him at the silent disco after-party. We also did an episode of the Distributed podcast together.

Since he started engaging more deeply earlier this year, I’ve gotten a lot of joy from seeing him interact with teams across the company, asking questions in an incisive, inquisitive way that helps break down problems. We just finished up several hours of a deep dive into our board topics with several hundred Automatticans participating.

Automattic has been blessed with amazing directors over the years. Currently, our board is Susan Decker, General Ann Dunwoody, Toni Schneider, and me.

In this podcast, Jonathan chats with Sandra from Greyd and Tim from BigScoots about forming strong partnerships in WordPress. They share tips on success, collaboration, and maintaining relationships.