Requesting online reviews can be tricky. So how do you request them without coming off sleazy or pushy? Here are some great tips to get you started.

1. It starts with where you are right now. This means you need to know where you stand with your current customers and clients. What kind of impression did your company leave them? If there are recurring issues, how have you addressed them? Here’s a hint: when someone complains, especially in a public forum, make sure you’ve responded in a timely manner without arguing their point. Arguing in public against a reviewer leaves a bad taste in the mouth of others. Who wants to do business with a company who isn’t interested in feedback? Remember that good, sincere reviews are far more powerful than canned responses. That sincerity can either work for or against your company.
2. Ask for reviews, but do it a way that invites your customers to help you. You want them to know that your company needs their feedback, and that you take their opinions seriously. Also, let them know that you check feedback on a daily basis. Another hint: make sure you actually do it.
3. Make the review process as painless as possible by giving them an open forum to post reviews. You can have a Facebook page (or group) and a business Twitter account. This opens the door for customers under 30 to interact with you on a regular basis. Remember that Facebook offers up a star rating and review option for your business. Those reviews matter.
4. Bad reviews must be responded to quickly. Don’t defend your company as this makes things far worse in the eyes of other readers. Your goal with a bad review is to analyze the problem and resolve it. If, upon analysis, you realize the bad review is warranted, thank them for their feedback and offer up an apology for the bad experience. Experience has shown that a customer will often go back and update a negative review once the issue has been resolved. Keep that in mind.
5. If replying to feedback in a public forum is too difficult, try to contact them directly, if possible. That way they realize their voice was actually heard. If the feedback is constructive, consider offering an incentive as thanks for pointing out a problem you were unaware of.
6. Make it easy as possible by allowing your customer or client to provide feedback at the end of the process. One company offers up a choice at the end via feedback buttons. The buyer can either send feedback, suggest a new feature, or be sent to a review site. Giving them a choice and asking for their opinions on the way your company does business will encourage them to interact more.
7. Be present on multiple review sites. Yelp, Angie’s List, LinkedIn and many more offer a chance to interact with your company. Ask your customers to leave reviews on sites they like rather than trying to force them to use one venue.

If you learn nothing else, then consider this: a customer wants to know he’s important to your business. People buy based on their emotions. Making someone feel important is one of the most effective ways to get them invested in your company. Writing a review isn’t easy, but if you make it as painless as possible, the customer will go the distance for you