How to get customers to leave video reviews

Winning customer trust through authentic video reviews is a goldmine for any business. People trust faces and voices more than text. Video feedback is a strong form of proof. 

Hearing a real customer speak about how your product has helped them immediately builds confidence in anyone else considering a purchase. 

In this guide, we will show you simple ways to encourage your customers to record their video reviews and share them, when to ask, and which tools make this easy for them.

You will leave knowing exactly how to encourage your happy customers to serve, your best sales promoters.

Understanding video reviews

Video reviews have become one of the most trusted ways for businesses to show genuine customer experiences. They combine words, emotions, and visuals to create genuine proof that helps future buyers make confident decisions.

What are video reviews?

A video review is a recording in which a customer shows and discusses their experience with a product or service. They might film themselves using the product, describe how the service helped them, and give a rating or opinion.

Video reviews go beyond words on a page. They let viewers see and hear a real person sharing genuine feedback. 

These videos provide a realistic view of a product or a genuine experience of a service, making them more valuable than a text review or description. 

Why customers trust video reviews?

A realistic view: Viewers can see the product’s actual size, color, and potential functionality, which adds greater depth than a description alone. 

Authenticity and emotion: Capturing a person’s real-life experience, along with their reactions, from a video adds authenticity and emotional connection that text cannot rival.  

Proof of performance: A video showing a customer stating they received the product quickly, rather than just reading “fast shipping”. The video shows that the product meets their need. 

Enhanced understanding: Reviewers can show how it works, list features, and explain any setup or usage steps; this deepens customer understanding, leading to lower returns. 

Harder to fake: It takes more effort to make a credible video than to write a quick fake review.

Video reviews vs. Text reviews: Key differences

In short, video reviews are more effective for conveying trust and emotion, while text reviews are better suited for quick scanning and detailed content.

How video reviews boost sales and SEO

Video reviews help both conversion (sales) and search ranking (SEO):

• Boost conversion: When potential buyers can watch a video of a real customer discussing the products, it reduces hesitancy and increases the likelihood of a sale.
• Improve engagement metrics: Viewers spend more time on video review pages than on pages with only traditional content, and time on page is a signal to search engines that a webpage offers a high-quality user experience.
• Better social sharing: Video reviews are more likely to be shared on social media, expanding the primary viewership and driving referral sales.
• Rich media boost: Search engines will “prefer” pages that offer mixed media (text + video), typically because they convey a better user experience.
• Proof of results: The title tag, description, and transcript of a video allow you to include targeted keywords and relevant phrases, thereby enhancing discoverability. 

How to make it easy for customers to leave video reviews

To facilitate an easy video review process for consumers, use simple review tools, minimize the recording and uploading process, offer clear prompts and/or instructions, and reward participation with small rewards or appreciation (if appropriate).

Simple video upload methods

• Use a single dedicated link: Share a direct link that opens an easy-to-use video upload or recording page. No app or sign-up needed, just click, record, and submit.
• Keep the tech simple: Use web-based tools like Boast, VocalVideo, or VideoPeel. They allow customers to record from their phones, tablets, or computers without needing to download any software.
• Offer flexibility: Let customers record whenever and wherever they’re comfortable. This freedom makes them more likely to complete the review.
• Automate video processing: Some platforms utilize AI to edit automatically, adding branding, captions, and background music for a polished result.
• Make uploading smooth: Accept standard formats (MP4, MOV), allow direct recording, show upload progress, compress large files, and test on multiple devices.

Mobile-friendly review submission

More than 80% of consumers read reviews on a mobile device when making in-store or online purchases.

Most people use their mobile devices for web browsing, video recording, and texting friends and family. If a customer has a bad experience on their mobile device, it will add another layer of friction that could lead them to abandon the review submission process altogether. 

Start by implementing mobile-friendly practices for submitting video reviews by ensuring that you are doing the following:

• Send requests via SMS with a direct Google review link to the review submission form. Text messages are opened more quickly than emails.
• Use a responsive design so the submission form fits the screen without zooming on a mobile device and is easy to view and complete.
• Allow customers to record using their mobile device’s browser, so they don’t need to download a separate recording app.
• Clearly mark visual controls on your requested recordings form, providing the customer with the briefest instructions and optimization tips (videos and photos load quicker with smaller file sizes). 
• Limit the number of input fields to a few simple questions, and use large, easily accessible, swiftly executed buttons. 

Clear instructions and prompts

Many people feel anxious or unsure about what to say when recording themselves. Clear guidance eliminates this uncertainty, leading to higher submission rates and more effective, authentic reviews. 

1. They ease performance anxiety.

Many customers aren’t used to being on camera and worry about sounding scripted or unnatural. Open-ended questions allow them to speak freely and feel more at ease. That leads to reviews that feel genuine and authentic.

2. They guide a clear story arc.

Good video reviews tell a story: the customer’s initial problem, how they found your product/service, and the positive outcome. A short set of questions helps the customer cover those parts in order. For example:

• “What problem were you trying to solve when you found us?”
• “How did our product/service help you?”
• “What results have you seen after using our product/service?”
• “Would you recommend us, and why?”

3. Gives simple recording guidance

Technical issues often stop customers from recording. Clear instructions help them film a better video. For example:

• Choose a quiet spot with minimal background noise.
• Utilize natural light by positioning yourself near a window.
• Hold your phone horizontally for wide-screen or vertically for social media.

4. They ensure helpful, specific feedback

Without guidance, a customer might just say, “I love this product.” While positive, that feedback isn’t always helpful. Directed prompts ask for:

• A feature they like and why
• A clear benefit they experienced

That kind of specific praise makes the review more valuable to new customers.

5. They set clear expectations.

When customers know what you expect (video length, content style), they feel more comfortable. 

Example: “Please record about 60-90 seconds telling your story.” Explicit bounds reduce hesitation.

6. They overcome the “what should I say?” barrier

Many customers delay filming because they are unsure what to discuss. A small set of simple questions breaks down the process and makes it manageable. This lowers the mental load and increases response rates.

How to collect and display video reviews using WiserReview

How to “Collect” Video Reviews with WiserReview:

Go to WiserReview, and you’ll see an option for “features.” Click that, then select “Collect Reviews,” and then go to Campaigns. 

1. Create a new review-request campaign and select a form that allows “Video Upload / Video URL” fields.
2. Share the form via a direct link, email, or SMS. Ensure that you inform customers that you accept video reviews.
3. Optionally import existing reviews (including videos) via CSV under Collect Reviews > Import Reviews.
4. Monitor submissions in the dashboard. Approve, edit, or tag video reviews as needed under Manage Reviews. 

How to “Display” Video Reviews with WiserReview

Go to WiserReview, and you’ll see an option for “features.” Click that, then select “Display Reviews”, and go to widgets. 

1. Choose a widget type: e.g., a video-review carousel, wall of love, or inline video section.
2. Customize settings: select brand colors, layout, and filters (e.g., show only reviews with videos).
3. Copy the widget embed code. Place it on your website page, product page, or landing page.
4. Test on desktop and mobile to ensure video reviews load and play properly.
5. Optimize for SEO: WiserReview’s widgets include schema markup to help search engines recognise reviews.

Asking for video reviews the right way

Getting the timing and message right makes a big difference when you ask customers for video reviews.

Timing your request

• Inquire following a positive interaction when the product has been delivered or the service has been rendered, so the customer has something tangible to address. 
• For physical goods, a reasonable interval is 7-30 days following fulfillment, which is ample time for the customer to use the product and form an opinion. 
• With a service, ask right after it’s performed, when the customer and experience are fresh and ripe for conversation. 

Personalizing your message

• Use the customer’s name and reference what they purchased or what service you provided to make the message feel specific and genuine. 
• Explain why their review matters: how it helps others make decisions, and how their voice adds value. This builds purpose. 
• Keep it short, clear, and friendly. Provide a direct link to leave a video review and keep it as simple as possible.

Example Message Prompt:

Hi [Customer Name],

We’re so glad to hear [you’re enjoying your product] or [you loved our service]. Could you please take a minute to record a short video sharing your experience?

You don’t need to prepare a script, just answer these quick questions:

• What problem did [product/service] help you solve?
• What do you like most about it?
• Would you recommend it to others?

You can record and upload your video easily here: [insert direct link]

Thank you! Your story helps others make confident choices and supports our small business.

Maximizing the impact of your video reviews

Using your video reviews in the right places, spreading them across your marketing channels, and tracking their performance will help you get the most value from them. 

Best places to display video reviews

• The secret to making your video reviews truly effective is to show them everywhere – across every corner of your marketing and sales strategy.
• Embed video reviews straight onto your website’s home page, product page, or service page – that way, visitors get to see them while they’re still weighing up a purchase.
• Feature them on targeted landing or campaign pages, and watch how they’ll boost conversions.
• Use them in your email marketing campaigns (e.g., “Check out what [Customer Name] has to say about [Product]” to build trust before your reader even clicks on the link.
• Share them out on social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube) where your audience actually hangs out and engage with them a bit.

Repurposing video reviews across marketing channels

By doing this, you can expand your reach to new audiences, increase engagement, and boost search engine optimization (SEO).

On your website

Video reviews help drive engagement and SEO. Why not turn them into short blog posts or case studies and pop the video at the top? Add transcripts with relevant keywords so search engines can effectively index them. 

And if you’ve got some in-depth reviews, why not convert them into downloadable guides or eBooks and grab people’s email addresses

On social media

Chop up long videos into short, snappy clips for Instagram Reel, YouTube Shorts, or TikTok. Highlight the good bits in a graphic post or turn the top five takeaways from a review into an image carousel.

And if you want to take it a step further, consider hosting a live Q&A session on a topic featured in one of your reviews.

In email marketing

Include a thumbnail or GIF that links to the full video on your website to encourage them to click through. Alternatively, you can string together a few short videos in a “stories from our customers” roundup email, or break a longer video into a series of short emails and keep the reader engaged.

As audio content

 Take the audio from your video reviews and turn them into short podcast episodes on Apple or Spotify. Promote teaser clips on social media to get people’s interest.

In your sales process

Use short testimonial vids to build trust after a customer has shown interest in your product. Use them as a teaching tool for your sales team, or give them to new customers when they first sign up to help them get up and running faster.

Measuring success and improving your strategy

• Define key metrics: track your view count, see how many people watch the video through to the end, the click-through rate on the video to your offer, and the conversion rate on pages with videos versus those without.
• Utilize tools like Google Analytics to measure the impact of video reviews on your business. 
• Run A/B tests:  for example, test a page with a video review and a CTA against one without a video or with just a text review to see which one does better.
• Review the data regularly and refine: if videos on product pages are really working, focus on those. And if your social clips aren’t quite hitting the mark, tweak the length or messaging a bit. You get the picture.
• Calculate ROI: Compare any extra revenue or conversions generated by videos to the cost of creating and managing them. This will help you justify spending more on the right stuff.

Wrap Up

Video reviews are the most effective way to establish absolute trust with new buyers and encourage them to take action. However, the thing is, they’re real people sharing real stories, something no ad can ever replicate.

With Wiser Review, collecting and displaying all those videos becomes a total breeze. You can invite customers to leave a review, sort them in one place, and then showcase them in various locations, including your website, emails, and social media.

Start using WiserReview to transform customer stories into your most powerful marketing asset.