Reviews Storefront

How To Use Reviews and Awards to Get the Clients You Want

By Lora Sickora

Have you ever wondered how to use reviews you get from couples to maximize their marketing potential?

Reviews and awards aren’t just nice bonuses for your wedding business—they’re powerful tools that can help you attract the clients you really want. In fact, 62% of couples rely on reviews when deciding which vendors to contact, which only confirms what we already know: having the right reviews is essential to standing out in a crowded marketplace. 

Additionally, winning awards like The Knot Best of Weddings and WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards^Ⓡ adds another layer of credibility and social proof that can help you win more bookings.

But how can you strategically use reviews and awards to book more couples? Let’s discuss this and more, including how having the right reviews and winning these awards can boost your credibility, attract stronger leads and ultimately grow your business.

Why reviews are essential for attracting ideal clients

Reviews are the foundation of your wedding business’ online reputation. Couples use them to help determine whether or not you’re the right fit for their special day. And with so many options available, reviews help you stand out by showcasing your expertise and the positive experiences of your previous clients.

But it’s important to remember that some reviews will work harder for you than others. Detailed reviews that highlight specific aspects of your service—like your responsiveness, professionalism and how you went the extra mile—make a much bigger impact than generic praise. These types of reviews give couples a clear picture of what it’s like to work with you, which builds trust and helps them feel confident in reaching out.

The more detailed and thoughtful your reviews, the better your chances of attracting clients who align with both your business values and service offerings. Remember, great reviews are more than just testimonials—they’re tools that help you connect with the right couples.

How to optimize your reviews for maximum impact

Collecting reviews is important, but optimizing those reviews for maximum impact is where the real magic happens. Here’s how to make sure your reviews are doing the heavy lifting for your business:

• Ask for detailed feedback. When requesting reviews, guide your clients to provide detailed feedback about their experience. By prompting your couples to reflect on the details of their experience with you, you’ll collect reviews that highlight exactly what couples are looking for. You’ll want to ask them specific questions about your service:
  • How did we help make your day stress-free?
  • What stood out to you about our communication?
  • Was there a moment when our services stood out to you?
• Showcase variety. Display reviews that touch on different aspects of your service—everything from the quality of your work to your flexibility with last-minute changes. This will appeal to a broader range of potential clients who are looking for vendors that match their specific needs.
• Keep them current. Ensure that the reviews you showcase on your Storefronts are recent. (We recommend adding a minimum of 7 new reviews each year.) Couples want to know that you’re still delivering great service today.

Why awards boost credibility and visibility

Winning awards like The Knot Best of Weddings and WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards can significantly increase your visibility and credibility with future couples. Because these awards are based on client feedback, it means that winning them shows your future clients that you consistently deliver exceptional service.

Awards not only provide instant credibility but also help you stand out in search results. When couples search for vendors, they’ll see your award badges showing exactly what you won and were recognized for. Additionally, these badges are displayed prominently on your Storefronts and should be posted proudly on your website and social media profiles, making it clear to couples that you’ve been recognized for your excellent services.

When they’re comparing your business with another option in the market, showing them you’ve won awards for your service can be the tipping point that convinces a couple to reach out and book you. And because these awards are based on client reviews, every great review you collect brings you one step closer to earning that prestigious recognition.

How to use reviews and awards on your Storefronts

Your Storefronts on The Knot and WeddingWire are the first place many couples will visit when considering your services. So, to make the most of that opportunity, it’s important to make sure your reviews and awards are prominently displayed. 

Here’s how to optimize your Storefronts for success:

• Feature recent reviews. Showcase your most recent, detailed reviews first. Couples want to see that you’re consistently delivering great experiences.
• Highlight award badges. Make sure your Best of Weddings or Couples’ Choice Awards^Ⓡ badges are clearly visible. These are powerful symbols of trust and quality that will catch the eye of your ideal couples.
• Use your reviews to tell a story. Highlight certain themes (like your professionalism, attention to detail, etc.) so couples can easily find the information they’re looking for.

When your Storefronts are fully optimized with reviews and award badges, you’ll not only attract stronger leads but also increase your chances of converting those leads into bookings.

By focusing on collecting impactful reviews and working towards winning awards with The Knot and WeddingWire, you can build a stronger reputation and attract your ideal clients who value your expertise.

Start asking for more detailed reviews today and watch how they help you grow your business and start to book more weddings.

Photo credit: Iris Mannings Photography