Getting started with online reviews | Authorize.net

No matter how polished your website and social feed are, feedback from your existing customers play an important role in helping you get new customers.

Today, a consumer’s perception of any business is often shaped by reading online reviews—consumers generally trust online reviews. For some, it’s the first thing they check when considering a new business. They want to know how other customers feel about your products, services, hours, locations, and other features of your business.

52% of consumers search online and/or check the business website before visiting a new business.¹

86% of customers surveyed say they are influenced by online reviews.¹

Four tips to help you tackle customer reviews²

Ask customers for reviews: Customers are more likely to leave a review if asked. Let customers know which review sites are best for your business.
Stay prepared for new reviews: Most review sites can send a notification when your business receives a new review. This is handy because you can quickly and easily respond—especially if there’s a negative review.
Reply privately: Many review sites allow you to contact the reviewer directly. This can be a smart way to handle a customer concern, avoiding an extended public dispute.
Prioritize responding: Set aside time to say thanks to any customer that leaves a positive review. It creates a real, human connection and can build upon the goodwill you’re already creating.

What’s the best way to ask for reviews?²

Final invoice: You could include a request for a review in your final invoice.

Web site or email: Make it easy for a customer to leave a review on your site or include a link in one of your emails where customers can leave a review.

Physical location: If you have a physical location, you can always create posters or window stickers asking customers to leave reviews on your preferred sites.

Interested in learning more? Visit our eCommerce guide or learn how payments work.

¹ Insights listed are from Visa’s Digital Transformation Research, 2018 Maru/Matchbox survey
² Visa Small Business Hub

Read more

Fraud controls and response: Prevent disputes and chargebacks

Experts estimate that 60%1 of consumers are browsing merchant sites online every single week. While smartphones and tablets make online shopping seem easy to consumers, behind the scenes there’s a complex web of programs, regulations and entities that keep everyone’s money safe and make sure people get what they ordered.

Chargeback fraud versus legitimate disputes: How to tell the difference

Instead of focusing on growing their business, many small and medium-sized business owners are fighting a daily battle with disputes. They’re managing complicated, outdated systems and a rising tide of tricky refund demands. To understand why this is such a headache, let’s look at four of their biggest challenges.

Card-not-present payments 101: The basics of online card transactions

When a customer taps their card or phone to pay for something at a store, it feels so easy. In the world of payments, this is called a card-present transaction, and it’s incredibly reliable. In fact, these in-person payments have a Visa authorization rate of about 98%.1 However, when we buy things online, known as card-not-present (CNP), success rate flags—often hovering around 80% for Visa CNP transactions.1 So why the drop?

Growing your business by offering a choice of payment methods

When looking to improve the customer experience and reach new markets, offering a variety of payment options is an effective strategy. In fact, about 32% of merchants1 added new ways to pay this year specifically to reduce cart abandonment.

Accepting online payments with ease

Experts estimate that 60%1 of consumers are browsing merchant sites online every single week. While smartphones and tablets make online shopping seem easy to consumers, behind the scenes there’s a complex web of programs, regulations and entities that keep everyone’s money safe and make sure people get what they ordered.

Respond to the growing threat of fraud

Today’s digital marketplace offers unprecedented opportunities for you to grow your business, yet these opportunities can also increase your risk of fraud. While larger organizations may have the luxury of resources to counter such threats, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) often find themselves struggling.

How we help CHARACTER COUNTS!® offer their customers payment choice

Visa’s Diana Unay interviewed Ryan Harris, Associate Director, Business Development with CHARACTER COUNTS!®

A beginner's guide to TIN vs. EIN for new business owners

You've probably seen TIN and EIN pop up while registering your company, opening a business bank account, or setting up payments. They sound similar and both involve taxes, but they're not the same thing, and knowing the difference matters.

Why seamless eCommerce integration starts with Authorize.net

To accept payment from your customers, you need to integrate a payment gateway with your eCommerce platform. Discover how Authorize.net supports seamless eCommerce integration with leading platforms, offering secure payments and a smoother checkout experience.

January 27, 2026