Customer reviews are a tried and tested form of social proof. They motivate users throughout their purchasing process, assist in establishing brand identity, and even improve search engine rankings. But when it comes to collecting reviews, companies usually have a primary question in mind—should you manually collect reviews or automate the process?

Let's go deep down into both processes and see which one provides better outcomes for your Shopify store.

Manual Review Collection: The Hands-On Method

Manual collection of reviews usually entails contacting customers via email, chat, or follow-up phone calls to gather feedback. Others even use in-person reminders or printed QR codes with review URLs.

Pros:

• Personal touch: Custom messages can make customers feel valued.
• Targeted requests: You can ask specific customers for reviews based on their experience.
• Control over timing and content: You choose when and how to ask.

Cons:

• Time-consuming: Requires ongoing effort from your team.
• Limited reach: Not all customers will be contacted.
• Inconsistency: Human error or delays can affect review collection.

Automated Review Collection: The Scalable Solution

Automated systems trigger review requests after a specific event — like a purchase or delivery. These can be set up to send review request emails without manual input.

Pros:

• Saves time: Once set up, it runs on autopilot.
• Higher response rate: Timely prompts reach more customers.
• Consistency: Ensures every customer is asked for feedback.
• Integration-ready: Many tools connect with Shopify to sync customer data and events seamlessly.

Cons:

• Less personalization: Automated messages can feel generic.
• Requires setup: You need the right tools and configurations.
• May need refinement: Default templates might not align with your brand tone.

Manual vs. Automated Review Collection: Quick Comparison

Let Rivyo handle your Shopify store review requests automatically

So, Which One's More Effective?

Automated review collection typically outperforms manual efforts in terms of volume, consistency, and efficiency. Especially for growing Shopify stores, automation ensures no opportunity is missed. However, combining both can yield even better results — automation for the masses, and manual outreach for loyal or high-value customers.

Supercharge Your Review Strategy with Rivyo

If you’re looking to automate review requests while maintaining flexibility, Rivyo Product Reviews App is a game-changer.

It allows Shopify merchants to:

• Send automated review request emails after purchase or fulfillment
• Collect photo reviews and showcase them with style
• Customize email templates to match your brand voice
• Import existing reviews from Amazon,AliExpress or CSV
• Display beautiful review widgets on product pages

Whether you're scaling your store or just starting out, Rivyo helps you turn happy customers into powerful advocates — without the manual hassle.

Final Thoughts

Manual review collection has its charm, but in today’s fast-paced e-commerce world, automation is essential. The key is to find the right balance — automate your core review requests and reserve manual efforts for personalized touches.

Looking to simplify your review collection process? Give Rivyo a try and watch your review count — and conversions — grow.