In the ever-evolving digital landscape, the secret ingredient for the success of food creators and entrepreneurs—or as we like to call it, foodtrepreneurs—isn’t just a pinch of salt or a dash of spice. It’s the magic of customer reviews. Those stars, comments, and shared experiences can transform your culinary endeavours from hidden gems into the talk of the town.
With Cookin’s built-in reviews feature, gathering and showcasing feedback is easier than ever. Let’s walk through why reviews are essential for your food business and how Cookin helps you leverage them to grow your brand.
Why reviews are important for foodtrepreneurs (food-entrepreneurs)
1. Building trust and credibility
Think of reviews as your digital word-of-mouth. They’re the online equivalent of a friend raving about your dishes to others. This kind of social proof is invaluable for building trust with potential customers.
On Cookin, reviews from happy customers show up right at the top of your storefront, making it easy for potential buyers to see firsthand accounts from those who have enjoyed your food. This gives your business instant credibility and reassures new customers about the quality and dependability of your offerings.
Cookin integrates reviews directly into your storefront, so everything potential customers need is in one place. You don’t need to rely on external sites for credibility—Cookin handles it all for you.
🔗 Learn more: Enhance your food business through social media in our guide – Social Media Marketing for Food Businesses (with visuals!)
2. SEO benefits: Making your business easy to find online
Now, onto a bit of tech talk: SEO, or Search Engine Optimization. In simple terms, SEO is all about making your business easier to find on the internet.
Even though Cookin reviews live on the platform, reviews still play a role in boosting your online presence. The more reviews and engagement you get on Cookin, the more visible your storefront becomes within the platform’s search engine.
Additionally, as customers share their positive experiences and link back to your Cookin storefront on social media, it helps drive traffic and increases your reach.
🔗 Learn more: Not on Google yet? Don’t wait! Create your Google Business page to start collecting reviews!
3. Feedback loop: A recipe for improvement
Reviews are like having a direct line to your customers’ thoughts. This feedback loop is a treasure trove of insights, helping you tweak your menu, improve service, and refine your recipes.
With Cookin, reviews are automatically requested through an SMS sent 60 minutes after a customer’s order is delivered or picked up. Customers can quickly provide a star rating along with their feedback, which is displayed prominently on your storefront. You’ll also be able to view all reviews in chronological order in your Cookin Business Manager, along with details like customer names and whether they’re new, repeat, or loyal.
It’s as if your customers are part of your culinary team, offering suggestions and applause to help you create even more delightful dining experiences. Every review, positive or not, is a chance to learn and grow.
See how Java Bali Kitchen turned passion into praise: a glowing Google review showcases the impact of the Cookin platform on real food businesses.
How to gather glowing reviews
When asking for customer reviews, ensure your request is personable and sincere. Highlight the significant impact their feedback has on your business’s growth. On Cookin, the system does most of the heavy lifting for you—automatically sending a request via SMS after every order. But there are still ways to maximize your review collection.
Be clear and concise when engaging your customers, emphasizing your appreciation for their support. Cookin allows you to highlight these reviews right on your storefront, meaning they’re seen by every new visitor.
Here are some essential tips to consider as you begin gathering reviews:
Ask everywhere
Don’t just stick to one spot. Encourage reviews on social media, Yelp and most importantly, Google. Google reviews hold significant weight as they directly impact your business’s visibility in search results.
Make it easy
After someone enjoys your food, ask them to leave a review. You can do this in person, or with a gentle nudge on social media.
Say thanks and share
Always respond to reviews, good or bad. It shows you care. Plus, sharing positive reviews on your platforms can entice new customers.
Encourage photos
If possible, ask customers to include photos with their reviews. After all, photos speak a thousand words and can further enhance the appeal of your offerings.
See how La Nayarita is captivating customers’ taste buds, as showcased in this glowing Cookin review.
Zulfikar of Java Bali Kitchen encourages collecting reviews during pop-ups or pickups. Personal touches can turn casual customers into regulars. Engaging directly with your customers builds lasting relationships and trust.
He often promotes himself using reviews on social media.
Steal these templates to get more reviews
Example text:
For a NEW customer
“Hey [Name], thank you for trying [your business name]! If our flavours hit the spot on your first visit, we’d love to hear about it on Cookin. Your support is everything to us. Thank you!”
Understanding the importance of reviews is one thing; eliciting them is another. This is where Cookin steps in, offering a scaffold upon which to build your requests.
Whether it’s a new customer who’s just discovered your culinary delights, a loyal patron who’s been by your side, or an adventurous soul who tried something new from your menu, we have a template for you.
Example text:
For ANY customer
“Hey [Name], hope you enjoyed your order from Cookin! Mind sharing your thoughts on Cookin? It really helps us grow.
Thank you!”
Example text:
For a customer who tried a new dish
“Hey [Name], thanks for giving our new dish, [dish name], a try! What did you think? Please leave a review on Cookin—we’d love your feedback. Thank you!”
Example text:
For a customer who shared on Instagram or TikTok
“Hey [Name], saw your post on Instagram/TikTok – totally made our day! If you’ve got a sec, a review on Cookin would be awesome. It helps others find us too! Thank you!”
Example text:
For a regular (loyal) customer
“Hey [Name], your constant cheer keeps us going. Got a moment to share your thoughts on Cookin? Helps spread the word and means a lot to us. Thank you!”
Example text:
Asking your customer for photos
“Hey [Name]! We hope you loved your meal! Could you do us a favour? Leave a review on Cookin and, if you snapped any pics, we’d love to see them! Your feedback means a lot to us! Thank you!”
🌟 Pro tip:
These templates are meant for you to customize. Do not just copy and paste blindly. Pick ONE platform (Cookin, Google, Yelp, or other) that you want your customer to leave a review on—less is more.
📌 Another note:
Reviews can currently only be left through the app in Toronto. Stay tuned for updates as we expand to online web stores soon!
Wrap it all up
Customer reviews on Cookin are a powerful tool to build trust, enhance your credibility, and drive more sales. With Cookin’s seamless review system, gathering and displaying customer feedback is easier than ever, making your food business more visible and attractive to new customers.
Remember, great reviews aren’t just about stars—they’re about building long-term relationships with your customers and showing the world why your food is worth raving about.
Ready to take your food business to the next level?
Book a demo with Cookin today, and start turning those bites into buzz!
