Selling Online
Getting & Using Customer Reviews
Reviews build the trust that turns browsers into buyers. On Local Cottage Foods, buyers who completed a storefront order can leave a review on that product, and you can post a public seller response. The playbook: deliver a great pickup, ask at the right moment, make it easy, respond to every review, and reuse your best ones.
New buyers trust other buyers. A handful of genuine reviews can do more for your sales than any amount of self-promotion — here's how to earn them and put them to work.
How reviews work on Local Cottage Foods
Reviews are tied to real orders: a buyer who completed a storefront order can leave a star rating and comment on that product, and it shows on the product page for future shoppers. You can post a public seller response to any review. Because only completed orders can review, the single biggest driver of good reviews is a smooth order and a great pickup.
Ask at the right moment
The best time to ask is right after a great experience — at pickup, or in a short thank-you message soon after. Keep it friendly and low-pressure, ask once, and always thank anyone who leaves one.
Request message templates
| Moment | Sample message |
|---|---|
| At pickup (in person) | Thanks so much! If you enjoy it, a quick review on my Local Cottage Foods page really helps other local folks find me. |
| Thank-you follow-up | Hi [name] — hope you loved the [item]! If you have a sec, I'd be grateful for a short review on my storefront. Thanks for supporting a local maker! |
| Repeat customer | So glad you're back! If you haven't yet, a review on your favorite item would mean a lot — it helps new neighbors find us. |
Respond to every review
Thank happy customers and reply calmly and helpfully to any criticism. How you handle feedback is itself a selling point future buyers notice. Verified, trustworthy selling matters too — see how it works on our safety page.
Put reviews to work
Feature your best reviews in product descriptions and social posts. Combined with strong descriptions and local SEO, reviews compound your discovery and turn first-time visitors into regulars.
List your cottage food business
Create a free storefront, take local orders, and get discovered by buyers near you.
Frequently asked questions
Who can leave a review on my products?
Buyers who completed a storefront order through Local Cottage Foods can review the product they bought. Reviews appear on that product's page, and as the seller you can post a public response to each one.
How should I handle a negative review?
Respond promptly, politely, and publicly: acknowledge the issue, apologize if warranted, and offer to make it right. A calm, helpful reply often impresses future buyers more than a perfect record.
Explore the marketplace
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