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Collect Reviews on Shopify Without Using an App
If you have been struggling to collect reviews on Shopify without an app? You’re not alone — but there is a solution (even if you don’t want another monthly app bill).
by Paul Fatokun
Updated on 27th Apr 2025
Table of Contents
- Why Product Reviews Are Not Optional Anymore
- But Wait… Can You Even Collect Reviews Without an App?
- Option 1: Manually Collect and Display Reviews (No App Needed)
- Option 2: Build a Custom Review System (No App, Just Code)
- Pro Tip: Shopify’s Built-In “Shop” App Reviews
- So… Should You Just Use an App?
- Do It Your Way — But Don’t Delay
Why Product Reviews Are Not Optional Anymore
Imagine landing on a product page and finding no reviews, no feedback, no photos — just the product description. What do you do?
Most shoppers will bounce. In fact, 93% of consumers say online reviews influence their purchasing decision.
Product reviews are no longer a bonus — they’re a sales tool, a trust signal, and a conversion booster.
Boost retention and revenue
We can implement subscriptions on your Shopify store in DAYS — not weeks.
- Predictable income
- Higher LTV
- Fewer abandoned carts
- Better customer retention
But Wait… Can You Even Collect Reviews Without an App?
Yes — but with conditions. You can collect product reviews without a Shopify app by:
- Manually requesting them via email
- Manually inserting them into your theme
- Using custom code or Google Forms to collect and display
But there are real limitations. Let’s break it down.
Option 1: Manually Collect and Display Reviews (No App Needed)
This method works well for small stores or merchants just starting out. Here’s the full workflow:
Step-by-Step:
- Ask for Reviews via Email
- After every purchase, send a follow-up email.
- You can use Shopify’s built-in email feature or an email tool like Shopify Email (free up to 10,000 emails/month).
- In your email, ask:
“We’d love your feedback! Hit reply and let us know how your experience was.”
- Collect Responses Manually
- Copy and paste their response into a doc or spreadsheet.
- Ask permission to use their name and review publicly.
- Add the Review to the Product Page
- Go to Online Store > Themes > Actions > Edit Code
- Open the file: sections/main-product.liquid or product.liquid
- Find where you want the review to appear (usually below the description)
Insert something like:
<div class="custom-review">
<strong>Sarah L.</strong><br>
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐<br>
“Absolutely love this product! Will buy again.”</div>
4. Style It with CSS (Optional)
Add custom styles in your theme.css or base.css file:
.custom-review {
border-top: 1px solid #eee;
padding-top: 10px;
margin-top: 20px;
font-style: italic;
}
What “Getting It Right” Looks Like:
Reviews are displayed cleanly under each product
You’re updating them regularly (weekly or monthly)
Feedback feels authentic and varied (not repeated or fake)
How You Know It’s Working:
Time on product pages increases
Cart abandonment rate decreases
You begin getting repeat customers — often driven by what others said
What’s the Catch?
Time-Intensive: You have to manually collect, copy, format, and paste every review
No Automation: No star ratings, no automatic review requests, no filters
Scalability Issues: If you sell 50+ products, this process becomes a nightmare
Option 2: Build a Custom Review System (No App, Just Code)
If you or your developer has experience with HTML + Liquid + a bit of JavaScript, you can build a basic review form and storage system.
What You’d Need:
A customer-facing form with fields like name, rating, and comment
A way to store data (like metafields or a spreadsheet via Zapier)
A method to display those reviews under each product
Not recommended unless you have time, budget, and coding skills. It’s easier to use a lightweight app.
Pro Tip: Shopify’s Built-In “Shop” App Reviews
Shopify now allows customers who use the Shop app to leave reviews — without you installing anything.
How It Works:
Only eligible orders from verified customers through the Shop app can be reviewed
Shopify automatically collects and displays them on your product pages (under “Customer Reviews” section)
Learn more here: Shop Product Reviews
Why Use This:
100% native to Shopify
Trustworthy reviews from real customers
No setup required
But: You can’t control this system — only customers using Shop can leave a review, and you can’t ask for them manually.
So… Should You Just Use an App?
Do It Your Way — But Don’t Delay
Whether you go manual, custom-coded, or with an app — the key is to start now. Product reviews are a trust multiplier. Every day you delay collecting them, you’re leaving sales on the table.
Even one review that says, “I was nervous at first, but wow — this exceeded expectations,” could bring in your next 10 customers.
Need help building your custom review system or choosing the best app? Drop a comment or reach out — I’ll guide you like it’s my own store.
Let’s turn your happy customers into your most powerful sales team.
