How to Get More Reviews for Digital Products?

You pour your heart into an online course, eBook, or template, hit publish, and… crickets. You know people are downloading it. You can see the numbers! But the reviews? Nada.

I’ve been there. I still have emotional scars from the time I launched my first Notion planner. Spent weeks designing it, made it look super aesthetic, priced it under ten bucks. I was so proud. It sold 37 copies in the first few days… and not one person left a review. Not one!

It wasn’t until I started getting intentional about asking for reviews that things changed. Because here’s the thing: most people won’t leave feedback unless you nudge them. Not because they hated it — just because they’re busy. Or they forget. Or they don’t think their opinion matters.

1. Ask at the Right Time (Timing is Everything)

One thing I learned? You gotta hit people when they’re feeling good — like right after they’ve had a win with your product. If you’re selling a Canva template, ask for a review after they’ve used it to create something awesome. Not the moment they download it. That’s too soon.

For my productivity course, I set up an automated review request via email to go out on Day 5 — right after the first real “aha” moment hits. That email gets 3x more reviews than the one I used to send right after purchase. Timing matters. Catch ’em while they’re still excited.

2. Make It Stupid-Easy

You’d be shocked at how many people want to say something nice but get overwhelmed by the process. So I simplified everything.

I use Typeform or Google Forms for testimonials now — just 2 questions:

• What did you like about the product?

• Can we use your name and photo for our site?

That’s it. No logins. No hassle. Just click and type.

And for my Gumroad products, I literally add a line in the product download page that says:
“Loving it so far? Leave a quick review — even one sentence helps us grow!”
That one sentence tripled my review rate.

To take things further, I also display customer reviews effectively right on my product page — because when people see that others are raving, it encourages them to join in.

3. Offer a Small Incentive (Without Sounding Desperate)

I know, I know — incentives can feel shady if done wrong. But when you’re upfront and classy about it, they work.

For example, I once emailed recent buyers saying:
“Leave a review, and we’ll send you a free bonus pack of 5 new Lightroom presets.”
Boom. My review count doubled in 3 days.

Just make sure the bonus is valuable but not so massive it feels like a bribe. People can smell desperation. Keep it light — a free mini-guide, an extra icon set, a discount on their next download. Small stuff that makes them feel appreciated.

Here’s a great resource on incentivizing reviews without violating guidelines if you’re unsure how far is too far.

4. Follow Up… But Don’t Be Annoying

One thing I had to learn the hard way? People need reminders. But there’s a fine line between being helpful and becoming that creator who spams inboxes.

What works best for me is a three-part email drip:

• Email #1: Friendly check-in (“Hope you’re enjoying the course!”)

• Email #2 (2 days later): Ask for a quick review with a direct link

• Email #3 (optional): Share a sample testimonial + invite them to join in

Keep it short. Keep it friendly. If they’re happy, most folks won’t mind the nudge.

And yes, encouraging customers to leave reviews is 90% about timing and tone. Not pressure.

5. Show Off Reviews Everywhere

Once you start collecting those golden words? Don’t let them sit in a spreadsheet somewhere.

• Add the best quotes to your landing pages

• Share screenshots on social media

• Turn testimonials into visuals using Canva

• Feature a rotating “what our users say” section in your emails

The more people see others loving your product, the more they want to join the club. It’s like using social proof to build trust — FOMO sells, baby.

Final Thoughts: Keep It Real

At the end of the day, the best way to get more reviews? Build something worth raving about. And then don’t be shy about asking for a little love.

Talk to your audience like they’re people, not just buyers. Make it easy, offer value, and follow up with kindness. You’ll be surprised how many people are happy to help — they just need a little nudge.

Oh, and if you ever get a bad review? Don’t freak out. I got a 2-star one once that said “great content but ugly layout.” It stung, but I redesigned the whole template after that. Sometimes, negative reviews can help you grow the most.