How do you get more reviews on bol?
Lars HurkmansCo-founder27 June 2023Reading time 5 minutes
You get more reviews on bol by asking for them honestly and within the rules: for example with the permitted invoice email, a thank-you card or a QR code that links to your product page. Reviews are social proof that lifts your conversion, but sellers are not allowed to write reviews themselves and bol has switched reviews off for some product groups.
Product reviews are hugely valuable in online shopping. They give potential customers insight into other people's experiences and can be the deciding factor in a purchase. For sellers on bol, collecting reviews is therefore important. We look at why reviews matter, how bol handles reviews, and how you get more of them in an honest way. For what else reviews tell you about your product, read standing out through reviews.
Why are reviews important?
Reviews are a valuable tool in e-commerce. They provide social proof: potential customers draw confidence from other people's experiences. Positive reviews strengthen a product's credibility, raise the conversion rate and so lead to more sales. On top of that, they give you valuable feedback about the strengths and weaknesses of your products, which you can use to improve your range. That effect on your conversion carries through to your findability and conversion on bol.
How does bol handle reviews?
Bol has a clear policy. Reviews are meant for customers to share their experiences and inform other customers. There are guidelines, though: sellers and bol employees are not allowed to write reviews about items they sell themselves. A review also has to relate to the customer's experience with the item and be written in clear, correct Dutch.
For which categories are reviews switched off?
Bol switches reviews off for certain product groups. This is because of strict legislation under which no claims may be made about the use and effects of those product groups. A few examples of product groups where reviews are switched off:
- Weight-loss supplements
- Anti-hair-loss treatments
- Anti-itch products
- Baby food for infants up to 6 months
- Creatine
- Homeopathic remedies
- Insect repellents
- Laxatives
How do you collect reviews within the rules?
Collecting reviews can be a challenge, but there are several methods that fit within the rules. One of the most effective is a follow-up email after purchase in which you kindly ask the customer for a review. Be careful: you may not email customers at will, only at most one email with an invoice. Bol regulates this more and more tightly and increasingly handles invoicing itself, so stick to the current rules.
Other methods are an e-book or a thank-you card with the purchase. Extras like these give customers a positive feeling about their purchase and encourage them to leave a review. You can also lower the barrier by including a QR code with a link to your product page, for example. Always keep it honest and neutral: you ask for a review, you do not push for a positive rating.
In MarktMentor, the review tool automatically tracks the reviews across your whole range, so you spot patterns without going through every listing by hand.
Summary
- Reviews are social proof that raises your credibility and conversion.
- Stay within the rules: sellers do not write their own reviews, and reviews are switched off for some product groups.
- Ask for them honestly through the permitted invoice email, a thank-you card or a QR code, without pushing for a positive score.
- bol can remove reviews that do not meet the guidelines.