7 Proven Ways to Collect Reviews for Your Online Coaching

Creating a great online course is only half the battle. The other half? Getting more online reviews to build trust and credibility.

Nowadays, potential students want proof—real stories from real learners who’ve taken your course and gotten results. That’s where reviews come in. They don’t just boost credibility; they drive conversions, build authority, and help future students feel confident clicking “enroll.”

But here’s the thing: even happy students won’t always leave a review unless you ask—and make it easy.

In this post, you’ll learn proven, practical ways to collect more high-quality reviews from your students. These aren’t spammy tactics or “please leave me 5 stars” requests. They’re genuine, student-friendly strategies that help you build trust—and grow your course the right way.

Let’s explore…

7 Proven Ways to Collect Reviews for Your Online Course

1. Use Automated Follow-Up Emails

One of the easiest and most effective ways to collect reviews for your online course is through an automated follow-up email. Most students won’t leave feedback unless they’re asked—and email is the perfect channel to do it without being pushy.

Tips to do it right:

• Keep the message short, friendly, and personal
• Include a direct link to your review form or testimonial submission page
• Use platforms like ConvertKit, MailerLite, or ActiveCampaign to set up these automations
• Subject line idea: “Enjoyed the course? We’d love your quick feedback.”

Automated emails let you consistently collect reviews without chasing students—and over time, they help build the trust and credibility your course needs to grow.

2. Add In-Course Review Prompts

Don’t wait until the course is over to ask for a review—ask while your students are still in the experience.

In-course review prompts are quick, non-intrusive messages placed inside your lessons or modules that encourage feedback as students make progress. These prompts feel natural and timely, especially after completing a valuable module or reaching a milestone.

How to do it well:

• Add a simple callout at the end of key lessons:
  

  “Did this module help you? Leave a quick review to let us know!”

• Use a short feedback form or a 1–5 rating box embedded in your course platform (like Thinkific, Teachable, or Kajabi)
• Keep it optional, low-pressure, and quick to complete

Adding these prompts throughout the course increases the chances of gathering honest, diverse feedback, and it also shows students that you care about improving their experience.

3. Offer a Completion Incentive

One simple way to get more reviews is to offer a small reward through a rewards program when students finish your course. This gives them a reason to leave feedback while their experience is still fresh.

The reward doesn’t need to be big. You can offer:

• A bonus lesson or downloadable resource
• A discount on your next course
• Entry into a small giveaway

Make sure the incentive is tied to course completion, not just enrollment. This way, you only encourage reviews from students who went through the content and can give genuine feedback.

Also, keep the ask simple. Add a quick message on the thank-you page or in the final email saying something like:

“Thanks for completing the course! If you found it helpful, please leave a short review. As a thank-you, you’ll get [your incentive].”

This approach helps boost review numbers while keeping the feedback honest and useful.

4. Ask in Your Community or Student Group

Students often share their wins inside private communities—Facebook Groups, Slack, or Discord, among other ways. When someone says, “This helped me a ton,” that’s your chance to ask:

“Would you mind sharing that in a review?”

It feels casual, not pushy.

You can also post a monthly reminder in the group like:

“What’s been most helpful in the course so far?”

Even if they don’t leave a formal review, you’ll collect honest feedback that you can reuse. It’s one of the most natural places to gather honest, applicable testimonials.

5. Use Video Testimonial Requests

Text reviews are great, but video testimonials have a different impact. When potential students see someone on camera talking about how your course helped them, it creates instant trust and relatability. A real face, an authentic voice, and real results are far more persuasive than any sales copy.

You don’t need a film crew or studio-quality production. Just ask satisfied students to record a short video—60 seconds is plenty—sharing what they learned, what changed for them, or why they’d recommend the course. You can make the process simple by using tools like VideoAsk, Loom, or Testimonial, which let students record from their phones or laptops with just a single link.

To get the best results, reach out personally to a few engaged students and offer a quick prompt:

“Hey, would you be open to sharing a short video about your experience? Something simple like what you learned and who you think this course is perfect for.”

Most students won’t mind—and many will be flattered that you asked. These videos become powerful content for your sales page, emails, and social media—and they give future students the confidence to enroll.

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6. Embed Review Widgets on Your Site

Make it easy for visitors to see and submit reviews by adding a review widget directly on your course site. This simple step helps in two big ways—building trust and collecting more feedback.

When potential students see genuine reviews while browsing your website, they feel more confident about making a purchase. At the same time, past students can quickly leave a review without having to search for links to do it.

Here’s how to do it right:

• Place the widget on high-traffic pages like the course landing page, checkout page, or thank-you page.
• Use a clean and mobile-friendly widget that doesn’t slow down your site.
• Choose tools that let you show star ratings, short comments, and student photos if available.

If you use platforms like WordPress, Teachable, Kajabi, or Thinkific, many review tools offer easy integrations. You can also use tools like WiserReview to collect and display reviews across your site automatically.

By embedding a review widget, you remove friction from the review process and increase your chances of getting more social proof.

7. Make It Part of Your Course Wrap-Up

The end of your course is a prime opportunity to ask for a review—students have just completed the journey, they’re reflecting on what they’ve learned, and they’re more likely to share feedback. That’s why you should build your review request right into the course wrap-up, just like any final quiz or certificate.

This can be as simple as a final lesson or module titled “We’d Love Your Feedback” with a short form or a direct link to your testimonial page. Include a few guiding prompts to make it easier, such as asking for specific details about their experience:

• What was your favorite part of the course?
• How has this course helped you or your work?
• Would you recommend it to others?

You’re not just asking for stars—you’re inviting reflection. Students often appreciate being asked, especially if the course helped them grow or achieve something.

When you make reviews feel like a natural final step—not a marketing request—you’re more likely to get thoughtful, honest responses that you can proudly showcase.

Responding to Positive Reviews

Responding to positive reviews is a great way to show appreciation for your customers’ kind words and encourage them to leave more reviews in the future. When responding to a positive review, be sure to thank the customer for their feedback and reiterate your commitment to providing excellent service.

• For example, you could say, “Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review! We’re thrilled to hear that you had a positive experience with our coaching services. We’re committed to providing the best possible service to our clients, and we appreciate your feedback.”

Handling Negative Reviews

Handling negative reviews can be challenging, but it’s an opportunity to show that you’re committed to providing excellent service and willing to listen to feedback. When responding to a negative review, be sure to apologize for any inconvenience or frustration caused and offer a solution to the problem.

• For example, you could say, Sorry to hear that you had a negative experience with our coaching services. We apologize for any inconvenience or frustration caused and would like to offer a complimentary session to make things right. Please contact us directly so we can discuss further.

How to Make It Easy and Honest

The best reviews come from students who feel comfortable, appreciated, and heard—not pressured. If you want more people to share feedback, your job is to make it effortless and authentic. That means lowering the barrier and removing any sense of “this has to be perfect.”

First, simplify the process. Use a direct link to your review form or testimonial page—no logins, no digging. Whether it’s a Google Form, Typeform, or your course platform’s built-in feedback tool, keep it short and mobile-friendly. The fewer clicks, the better.

Next, guide the response. Most students aren’t sure what to write unless you help them. Include 1–3 prompts like:

• “What’s one thing you learned that surprised you?”
• “Who would benefit most from this course?”
• “Was there a specific result you got or action you took?”

This helps avoid vague one-liners like “Great course!” and encourages detailed, useful reviews.

Also, be clear that you’re looking for honest feedback—not just praise. Let students know their input helps improve the course and helps future students make better decisions. A line like “Your honest review helps us grow and helps others decide if this is right for them” sets the right tone.

Lastly, don’t forget to say thank you. Whether they leave a sentence or a full testimonial, responding or acknowledging their input shows that you value their time—and makes them more likely to review again in the future.