WiserReview for BigCartel: Full review & setup guide

If you run a BigCartel store and want real customer reviews, WiserReview is a simple and reliable choice. 

It helps you collect reviews after purchase, show them on product pages, and manage everything from one place.

This guide shows exactly how WiserReview works with BigCartel – where it shines, where it fits best, and how to set it up without getting lost in the details.

If you want to build trust, improve your product pages, and streamline your review setup on BigCartel, this guide will walk you through every step.

What is WiserReview?

WiserReview is a review management platform that automates the whole review process for your ecommerce store – or service business.

This software collects customer feedback via automated email or text/WhatsApp messages, filters out spam using AI-generated filters, and displays customer reviews through brand-matching site widgets.

Key Capabilities

Automated Collection: Sends review requests via email, SMS, and WhatsApp immediately after a purchase or delivery.

Rich Media Reviews: Enables customers to submit text, photo, and video reviews to provide more “sensory” detail for handmade or artistic goods.

Display Widgets: Offers a range of display options, including smart review widgets like carousels, “Wall of Love” grids, trust badges, and floating pop-ups, customisable to fit your brand.

SEO Optimization: Automatically implements schema code in the widgets so that ratings are visible in Google search results.

Centralised Dashboard: Lets you manage all reviews across platforms like Google and Facebook, as well as other sites, in one place.

AI feature: Uses AI technology to automatically reject spam and poor-quality reviews and quickly analyze and respond to reviews based on their sentiments.

How does WiserReview work with BigCartel?

WiserReview integrates with BigCartel through HTML embed codes that you paste into your store’s theme. 

Since BigCartel doesn’t have a native app store like Shopify, WiserReview works through custom HTML blocks that you add to your product pages, homepage, or any custom page.

1. Installation via code snippets

Unlike platforms with a “one-click” app store, BigCartel requires manual integration of WiserReview widgets into your theme’s code. 

In your BigCartel dashboard, navigate to Account > Design > Edit HTML/CSS (requires a paid BigCartel plan). Copy the WiserReview pixel code from your WiserReview dashboard and paste it before the </body> tag in your theme’s main layout file.

Place specific div codes for star ratings or review lists where you want them to appear on your product pages (e.g., under the product title or description). 

2. Automated review collection

WiserReview automates the whole feedback collection process so you don’t have to ask every customer for a review. The system sends review requests via email, SMS, or WhatsApp a set number of days after a purchase or delivery.

You can set up the system to automatically send customers discount codes if they leave a review, that way, you get them coming back, and you can use unique review links to collect feedback manually or via social media.

3. Review management & moderation

Once reviews are submitted, they are managed through a centralized WiserReview dashboard. Use a “Smart Approval” system to filter out spam or low-quality submissions before they go live on your site.

Customers can upload photos and videos, which WiserReview displays in high-resolution widgets. The integration automatically adds Schema markup, allowing your star ratings to appear directly in Google search results and improving CTR.

4. Customization and display

Choose from layouts like a “Wall of Love”, carousels, or floating badges that follow the user as they scroll. Use the dashboard’s styling controls to match widget colours, fonts and borders to your BigCartel theme.

Once embedded, the widgets automatically display your reviews and collect new feedback without requiring any coding knowledge.

Key features of WiserReview (BigCartel use case)

WiserReview offers features specifically valuable for BigCartel stores, which typically serve small creative businesses and artists with limited technical resources.

Review collection features

WiserReview automates social proof collection to reduce manual effort for creators. 

• Multi-Channel Requests: Automatically sends review requests via email, SMS, and WhatsApp after a purchase or delivery. 
• Rich Media Support: Customers can submit reviews including text, high-resolution photos, and videos, which is super helpful for artists and craftspeople selling handmade goods.
• Review Incentives: Automatically rewards customers with discount codes or loyalty points for leaving verified reviews.
• Flexible Forms: Includes customizable review forms with auto-filled customer details and support for personalized questions. 

Review management & moderation

The platform centralizes feedback management to ensure store quality.

• Smart Moderation: Includes auto-filters and smart approval controls to block spam, profanity, or off-brand content before it goes live.
• Unified Dashboard: Aggregates reviews from multiple sources, including your store forms, Google Reviews, and Facebook Reviews, in one place.
• Multi-Store Sync: Let sellers with multiple BigCartel stores sync reviews across sites based on matching SKUs.
• Real-Time Alerts: Provides instant notifications for new reviews so you can respond super quickly to any negative feedback.

Review display widgets

WiserReview offers numerous review widgets that can be embedded into BigCartel themes. 

• Product Review Section: Full blocks on product pages showing text, photos, and video testimonials.
• Wall of Love: A dedicated page showcasing your best reviews in one visual display.
• Trust Widgets: Includes floating badges, sidebars, and carousels that display social proof across the site as users browse.
• Review Nudges: Lightweight popups or snippets placed near “Add to Cart” buttons to reduce purchase hesitation. 

SEO & trust-building features

WiserReview includes technical features that improve your store’s visibility and credibility:

• Google Star Ratings: Uses schema markup to ensure star ratings appear directly in Google search results, improving organic CTR. 
• Verified Buyer Badges: Marks reviews from confirmed customers to build immediate trust with new visitors.
• Interactive Q&A: Allows customers to ask and answer questions on product pages, further enriching user-generated content.
• Social Sharing: Automatically shares positive reviews to social media channels to drive external traffic.

WiserReview pricing explained

Step-by-step setup guide for BigCartel

Here’s how to integrate WiserReview with your BigCartel store from scratch.

Prerequisite: You must have a paid BigCartel plan (Platinum or Diamond) to access the “Edit HTML/CSS” feature required for this setup. 

Step 1: Create a WiserReview account

Visit wiserreview.com and click “Start Free. Enter your email, create a password, and verify your account.

Complete the onboarding questionnaire.

You’ll land on the WiserReview dashboard. 

Complete your profile by entering your Store Name and BigCartel URL.

Step 2: Add product reviews to WiserReview

If you have existing reviews from a previous platform, go to “Manage Reviews” → Click “Import”, and select your source: Google Reviews, Facebook, or CSV file. 

Export your existing reviews into a CSV file. Ensure the headers match the WiserReview template (Product Name, Reviewer Name, Rating, and Review Text).

If you have reviews on Google or Facebook, use the Integrations tab to link those accounts. This allows WiserReview to pull that feedback into your BigCartel store widgets.

Step 3: Set up review collection

Configure Post-Purchase Emails: In the Collection tab, set up automated email sequences. Since BigCartel doesn’t always sync order status automatically, you should use the Manual Link or CSV Import method.

Copy your “Store Review Link” from the dashboard and paste it into your BigCartel Shipping Confirmation email (under Settings > Checkout > Custom Messages).

Enable “Review Rewards” to automatically generate a discount code for customers who include a photo or video with their review.

Step 4: Embed reviews on your BigCartel store

Note: This step requires a paid BigCartel plan (Platinum or Diamond) to access the Code editor.

Copy the Pixel Code from WiserReview. In Big Cartel, go to Account > Design > Code > Layout. Paste the code immediately before the closing </body> tag and click Save.

Go to WiserReview’s Widgets section, copy the “Star Rating” snippet. In Big Cartel, open Product (product.html) and paste the code under {{ product.name }}.

Add widget to BigCartel:

Log in to your BigCartel admin dashboard. Navigate to “Design” → “Customize”. Select the page where you want reviews (Homepage, Product Page, Custom Page). Add an “HTML” or “Custom Code” block. Paste the WiserReview embed code

Step 5: Test and measure

Verify everything works correctly and track performance:

Verify Display: Open your live store in an incognito window. Navigate to a product page to ensure the star ratings and review blocks are visible and match your site’s branding.

Test Submission: Submit a “test” review through your own site. Check the WiserReview Moderation dashboard to confirm whether the review appears and that the auto-approval filters are working as expected.

Check Analytics: After 24 hours, check the WiserReview dashboard to monitor Click-Through Rates (CTR) on your widgets and verify that review request emails are being sent successfully to your recent customers.

Why use WiserReview with BigCartel

BigCartel is favored by artists for its simplicity, but it lacks built-in advanced review features, which WiserReview provides.

1. Fills the Native Feature Gap

BigCartel does not offer a native product review system. WiserReview adds this essential functionality, allowing customers to leave feedback directly on your product pages.

2. Boosts “Weak” SEO with Star Ratings

Experts note that BigCartel has relatively weak SEO features and lacks native structured data support. WiserReview widgets include automatic schema markup, enabling your product’s star ratings to appear in Google search results.

3. Adds High-Resolution Social Proof (UGC)

For artists and makers on Big Cartel, visual proof is vital. WiserReview supports high-quality photo and video submissions, which perform better than text-only reviews for creative products like apparel or art.

4. Professional Automation for Small Teams

BigCartel stores are often run by solo creators who lack time for manual follow-ups. WiserReview automates review collection via email, SMS, and WhatsApp after an order is delivered.

5. Advanced Moderation & Trust

Unlike simple comment sections, WiserReview provides professional management tools. Use AI and auto-filters to block spam or off-brand comments, ensuring your storefront remains clean and trustworthy.

Wrap up

WiserReview transforms how BigCartel store owners collect, manage, and display customer reviews. The platform automates review requests so you no longer have to chase customers manually.  

It centralizes all feedback in one dashboard and embeds beautiful review widgets directly on your BigCartel store.

Start with WiserReview’s free plan today, import your existing Google or Facebook reviews, and embed your first widget.

Your BigCartel store will look more credible, rank better in search results, and convert more visitors into buyers.