When your shoppers are browsing your Shopify store, ready to make a purchase, they are often unsure whether the product is as good as it seems. What do they do? Most shoppers will scroll down to check the reviews. In fact, 81% of customers say that user-generated content (UGC), such as reviews, photos, and videos, plays a key role in their decision-making process. That’s how powerful reviews are—they build trust, address concerns, and influence purchases.

But here’s the big question: Should you offer incentives to encourage your Shopify customers to leave reviews? On the surface, incentivizing reviews might sound risky, but when done correctly, it’s a win-win for both your brand and your customers. It encourages valuable feedback while building the kind of social proof that drives conversions.

In this article, we’ll break down why Shopify brands can and should offer incentives for reviews, highlight key examples (like how Vibe Kayaks uses the Moast app to collect UGC), and offer actionable insights to do it effectively. By the end, you’ll see why incentivizing reviews could be the game-changing strategy your Shopify store needs.

Why Reviews (and UGC) Matter

Ecommerce is fast-paced. Customer reviews and user-generated content (UGC) are not just "nice-to-haves" — they’re essential. When shoppers visit your Shopify store, they want to know what others think about your products. Reviews and UGC bridge the trust gap, offering authentic insights that polished product descriptions can’t always deliver.

Here’s why reviews and UGC are crucial for your Shopify store:

1. Trust Drives Conversions
   Shoppers trust the opinions of real people. A staggering 81% of customers are inspired by UGC, like reviews, photos, and videos, when deciding what to buy. A glowing testimonial or a relatable photo from another customer can make all the difference.
   
   
2. They Humanize Your Brand
   Reviews and UGC bring your products to life. Seeing how real people use and enjoy your products makes your Shopify store feel less like a transaction and more like a community.
   
   
3. SEO Benefits
   Customer reviews help boost your search engine rankings. Fresh, unique content on product pages tells search engines that your site is active and relevant, driving more organic traffic.
   
   
4. Social Proof Reduces Hesitation
   The more reviews and UGC you display, the more confident potential buyers feel. They see others enjoying your product and assume they’ll love it too, making the decision to purchase easier.
   
   
5. Impactful Across Channels
   Reviews and UGC aren’t just for your product pages—they’re powerful assets for your marketing campaigns. From email marketing to social media ads, UGC performs better because it feels real and relatable.

By prioritizing reviews and UGC, you’re not just meeting customer expectations—you’re leveraging one of the most persuasive tools in e-commerce to grow your Shopify store. 

Vibe Kayaks – A Stellar Example

When it comes to leveraging user-generated content (UGC) and reviews effectively, Vibe Kayaks stands out as a shining example for Shopify brands. They’ve turned their customers into enthusiastic advocates by using the Moast app to collect high-quality UGC. This approach not only builds trust but also helps Vibe Kayaks convert casual browsers into loyal customers.

Here’s how they do it:

1. Collecting Authentic Customer Content
   Vibe Kayaks uses Moast to encourage their customers to share videos, photos, and testimonials about their kayaking adventures. The app makes it easy for customers to submit this content, removing friction and inspiring them to contribute.
   
2. Creating Relatable Social Proof
   Vibe Kayaks doesn’t just showcase reviews—they bring them to life. Their UGC features real customers enjoying their kayaks, showing potential buyers exactly what they can expect. This type of relatable social proof resonates far more than polished ads or generic product descriptions.
   
3. Incentivizing Reviews the Smart Way
   Through Moast, Vibe Kayaks offers a $25 gift card in exchange for these customer profiles. This strategy not only boosts participation but also encourages thoughtful, high-quality feedback that highlights the brand’s strengths.
   
4. Results That Speak Volumes
   By featuring engaging UGC directly on their Shopify product pages, Vibe Kayaks builds immediate trust with new visitors.
   
5. Automating the Process with Moast
   What makes Vibe Kayaks’ approach so effective is the automation Moast provides. From collecting reviews to distributing incentives, the app streamlines the entire process, allowing Vibe Kayaks to focus on growing their brand.

For Shopify brands looking to replicate this success, Vibe Kayaks proves that incentivizing reviews and collecting UGC isn’t just a good idea—it’s a necessity. By leveraging tools like Moast, they’ve built a strategy that not only increases social proof but also strengthens their customer relationships.

8 Reasons Why You Should Offer Incentives for Shopify Reviews

Offering incentives for reviews isn’t just a marketing tactic—it’s a powerful strategy to grow your Shopify store’s credibility, engagement, and sales. Here are eight reasons why incentivizing reviews can make a big difference for your brand:

1. Encourages More Customers to Participate

Most customers are happy with their purchase but don’t take the time to leave a review unless prompted. In fact, only 5-10% of customers will leave a review. A small incentive, like a discount or gift card, can motivate them to share their thoughts. This proactive approach ensures you’re hearing from more customers and gaining valuable feedback.

2. Increases Review Volume

Shoppers trust brands with a higher number of reviews. A product with hundreds of reviews appears more credible than one with just a few. Incentives can help you build that critical mass of feedback, making your Shopify store more trustworthy to potential buyers.

3. Boosts the Quality of Reviews

When customers know they’re being rewarded for leaving a review, they’re more likely to provide detailed, thoughtful responses. High-quality reviews, especially those with videos or images, provide deeper insights into your products and help other customers make informed decisions.

4. Strengthens Social Proof

More reviews = stronger social proof. Social proof reassures potential buyers that others have had positive experiences with your products. It’s a powerful psychological trigger that builds trust and reduces hesitation, driving more sales for your Shopify store.

5. Builds Stronger Customer Relationships

Offering incentives for reviews shows customers that you value their time and feedback. This creates a sense of appreciation and loyalty, making customers more likely to shop with you again in the future.

6. Helps Address Buyer Objections

Detailed reviews often highlight key product features, benefits, or even unexpected use cases. Incentivized customers are more likely to write thorough reviews that resolve common hesitations, such as quality concerns or how a product performs in real-life situations.

7. Drives Traffic and Sales

Customer reviews can improve your Shopify store’s search engine rankings by adding fresh, unique content to your product pages. Additionally, glowing testimonials boost conversions, making reviews one of the most cost-effective ways to increase sales.

8. Automates the Process with Tools Like Moast

Using tools like Moast makes incentivizing reviews effortless. Moast automates the process of collecting high-quality content, such as video and image testimonials, while allowing you to seamlessly offer rewards like gift cards, discounts, or free shipping. It’s a win-win: customers feel appreciated, and you gain impactful UGC that enhances your product pages.

By offering incentives, you’re not just increasing the number of reviews on your Shopify store—you’re cultivating a powerful library of social proof that builds trust, addresses buyer concerns, and ultimately drives conversions. 

How to Offer Incentives for Shopify Reviews the Right Way

Offering incentives for Shopify reviews can transform your store’s reputation and drive conversions, but it’s essential to do it ethically and effectively. The goal isn’t just to collect more reviews—it’s to gather authentic, high-quality feedback that builds trust with your audience. Here’s how to get it right:

1. Be Transparent About Incentives

Always disclose that a review was incentivized. Customers and platforms value honesty, and being upfront ensures that your reviews maintain credibility. For example, a simple note like “This review was written in exchange for a discount” keeps your brand trustworthy.

2. Avoid Dictating the Outcome

It’s important to emphasize that the incentive isn’t tied to the review being positive. Encourage honest feedback by making it clear that you’re looking for genuine insights. This approach not only complies with review policies but also helps you improve your products based on real customer experiences.

3. Keep Incentives Simple and Relevant

Offer rewards that align with your customers’ interests. Popular options include:

• Discount codes for future purchases.
• Gift cards to your Shopify store.
• Free shipping on their next order.
• Accessories / Merch

These incentives are easy to implement and provide value without overcomplicating the process.

4. Make the Process Easy for Customers

Streamline the review submission process to reduce friction. With tools like Moast, customers can submit reviews—including videos, photos, and written testimonials—in just a few clicks. A smooth process ensures higher participation rates and better-quality content.

5. Focus on Collecting UGC, Not Just Words

Encourage customers to share photos or videos alongside their reviews. Visual UGC makes your Shopify store more engaging and helps potential buyers visualize the product in real life. Moast excels here by automating the collection of multimedia reviews and turning them into interactive widgets.

6. Follow Platform Guidelines

Shopify and other platforms have strict rules about incentivized reviews. Stay compliant by:

• Disclosing incentives clearly.
• Avoiding any language that pressures customers into leaving a specific type of review.
• Regularly reviewing Shopify’s guidelines to ensure you’re aligned

7. Use Tools to Automate and Track Incentives

Manually managing incentives can get overwhelming, especially as your Shopify store grows. Tools like Moast simplify the process by:

• Automatically collecting reviews (including videos and photos).
• Tracking and distributing rewards like discount codes or gift cards.
• Displaying reviews as interactive widgets on your product pages.

This automation ensures you get the most value out of your incentivized reviews without creating extra work for your team.

8. Reward Participation, Not Just Purchases

Encourage reviews from all types of customers, whether they’re long-time buyers or first-time shoppers. This inclusive approach helps you gather a diverse range of feedback and reinforces the idea that every customer’s voice matters.

By following these strategies, you can offer incentives for Shopify reviews in a way that maintains trust, complies with guidelines, and drives meaningful results. 

Using Moast to Streamline Incentive-Based Content

Incentivizing Shopify reviews is a game-changer, but managing the process manually can quickly become overwhelming. That’s where Moast steps in. Moast simplifies every step of the journey, helping you collect high-quality content, offer incentives seamlessly, and turn customer feedback into a powerful sales tool.

Here’s how Moast makes it happen:

1. Automates UGC Collection

Moast enables you to gather user-generated content effortlessly. Customers can submit reviews, photos, and even videos directly through the platform, making the process easy and enjoyable for them—and completely stress-free for you.

2. Seamlessly Offers Incentives

Incentives are an effective way to encourage participation, and Moast takes the hassle out of managing them. With Moast, you can:

• Automate the distribution of rewards like discount codes, gift cards, or free shipping.
• Track participation and reward fulfillment to ensure a smooth experience for your customers.
• Keep everything organized, so no incentive slips through the cracks.

3. Enhances Product Pages with Interactive Widgets

Moast doesn’t just collect reviews—it transforms them into engaging, shoppable widgets for your Shopify store. These widgets feature:

• Photos and videos of real customers using your products.
• Detailed testimonials that build trust and inspire confidence.
• Interactive elements that allow shoppers to explore reviews and make informed purchasing decisions.

This added layer of authenticity helps your Shopify store stand out and drives higher conversions.

4. Turns Reviews Into Marketing Gold

The content collected through Moast isn’t limited to product pages. You can repurpose it for:

• Social media campaigns featuring real customers.
• Email marketing that showcases glowing reviews.
• Ads and promotions that highlight UGC to boost engagement.

This multiplies the impact of every review, making your incentive strategy even more valuable.

5. Saves Time and Resources

Running an incentive program manually can be time-consuming, especially as your Shopify store grows. Moast streamlines the entire process, freeing up your team to focus on other areas of your business. From collection to reward distribution, everything is automated, efficient, and easy to scale.

Why Moast is the Perfect Partner for Incentive-Based Reviews

By using Moast, you’re not just collecting reviews—you’re building a library of authentic, high-quality UGC that turns casual browsers into loyal customers. Moast empowers you to:

• Gather impactful content effortlessly.
• Reward customers in a seamless, organized way.
• Showcase reviews in a way that drives trust and conversions.

When you combine the power of incentives with the simplicity of Moast, your Shopify store gains an edge that builds customer loyalty, enhances your reputation, and boosts sales.

With Moast, incentivizing reviews becomes more than just a tactic—it’s a complete strategy for scaling your Shopify store with authentic social proof. Are you ready to turn your customers’ feedback into your brand’s biggest asset? It’s time to let Moast do the heavy lifting.

Conclusion: Should You Offer Incentives for Shopify Reviews?

The answer is a resounding yes—but only when done the right way. Incentives for Shopify reviews aren’t just about increasing numbers; they’re about building trust, strengthening customer relationships, and leveraging authentic user-generated content (UGC) to drive conversions. With 81% of shoppers influenced by UGC, the impact of incentivized reviews on your Shopify store is undeniable.

As we’ve seen with Vibe Kayaks, offering incentives can turn satisfied customers into enthusiastic advocates, especially when paired with tools like Moast. By automating UGC collection, distributing incentives seamlessly, and displaying interactive widgets, Moast takes the guesswork out of creating a powerful, review-driven strategy.

Incentivizing reviews helps your Shopify brand:

• Encourage more participation.
• Gather high-quality, authentic feedback.
• Build social proof that converts browsers into buyers.

When you prioritize authenticity, comply with platform guidelines, and use the right tools, offering incentives becomes a win-win for both your brand and your customers. Ready to unlock the power of Shopify reviews? Start incentivizing and let your customers’ voices take your business to the next level.