The timing of your review request can make the difference between a thoughtful 5-star review and being ignored entirely. Send too early, and customers haven't had time to experience your product. Send too late, and the excitement of their purchase has faded.
This guide will help you find that sweet spot – when customers are most likely to leave honest, enthusiastic reviews.
Understanding the Different Types of Products
Before diving into timing settings, it's important to understand that different products need different timing strategies:
Physical Products: Items that need to be shipped and delivered to customers
Digital Products: Downloads, licenses, or online content delivered instantly
Local vs. International: Physical products shipped domestically versus across borders
Each type has its own optimal timing window, and Reviewsion lets you configure them all separately.
Timing Options Available
For Physical Products
Reviewsion offers two approaches for timing your review requests for physical products:
1. Delivery-Based Timing (Pro Plan Only)
What it is: The most accurate timing method that waits until the product is actually delivered to the customer.
How it works:
Reviewsion tracks your shipments automatically
When delivery is confirmed, it starts counting
Your review request is sent after your chosen delay period
If delivery can't be confirmed, it falls back to fulfillment-based timing
Why it's better:
Customers definitely have their product in hand
No awkward emails before delivery
Higher response rates because timing is perfect
Builds trust by showing you know when they received their order
Setting it up:
Enable "Use delivery confirmation when available"
Choose your delay after confirmed delivery:
Send immediately (for consumables or simple products)
Wait 1-3 days (for most products)
Wait 5-7 days (for products that need assembly or setup)
Note: This premium feature is available exclusively on the Pro plan. It's one of the most valuable upgrades for serious merchants who want to maximize their review collection.
2. Fulfillment-Based Timing (All Plans)
What it is: Times your review requests based on when you mark the order as fulfilled/shipped.
How it works:
Starts counting when you fulfill the order in Shopify
Estimates delivery time based on destination
Sends the review request after your configured delay
For Local/Domestic Orders:
3 days after fulfillment (express shipping areas)
5 days after fulfillment (standard for most domestic)
7 days after fulfillment (recommended default)
10 days after fulfillment (remote areas or when unsure)
14 days after fulfillment (complex products needing setup)
For International Orders:
7 days (1 week) - neighboring countries
10 days - most international destinations
14 days (2 weeks) - recommended default
21 days (3 weeks) - distant locations
30 days - very remote destinations or customs-heavy regions
Pro tip: When in doubt, choose a longer delay. It's better to wait a bit too long than to email before delivery.
For Digital Products
Digital products are delivered instantly, but customers still need time to use them before reviewing.
Timing options:
Send immediately (for simple downloads)
Wait 1 day (for quick-use items like templates)
Wait 2-3 days (for courses or software)
Wait 5-7 days (for comprehensive programs)
Wait 14 days (for long-form content)
Best practice: Give customers enough time to actually use your digital product. A template might need a day, but an online course might need a week or two.
Time Preferences (Pro Plan Feature)
Beyond choosing when to send based on delivery, you can also optimize what time of day your emails arrive.
Note: Precise time scheduling and weekend handling are exclusive Pro plan features. On the Free plan, review requests are sent throughout the day as they become due.
Preferred Send Hour (Pro Plan Feature)
What it does: Schedules all review requests to be sent at a specific hour of the day.
Available hours: 7 AM to 10 PM (in your store's timezone)
Best times to consider:
10 AM: Great for B2C (people checking email at work)
12 PM: Lunch break browsing
6 PM: After work, checking personal email
8 PM: Evening downtime, more time to write reviews
How to choose:
Think about when YOUR customers are most likely to check email
B2B customers: Try morning hours (9-11 AM)
B2C customers: Try evening hours (6-8 PM)
Test different times and watch your response rates
Why upgrade for this: Sending at the optimal time can increase open rates. You can expect noticeably better engagement by reaching customers when they are most receptive.
Weekend Handling (Pro Plan Feature)
The setting: "Avoid sending on weekends"
What it does:
If a review request is scheduled for Saturday or Sunday
It automatically moves to Monday instead
Helps maintain professional communication
When to enable:
B2B businesses (business customers aren't checking email on weekends)
Professional services
High-end or luxury brands
If your customer service is closed on weekends
When to keep disabled:
Consumer products with leisure shoppers
Hobby or craft supplies
Entertainment products
If you have weekend customer service
The Pro advantage: Weekend control ensures your emails arrive when customers are actually checking their inbox, not getting buried in Monday morning's avalanche.
Choosing the Right Delays
Quick Decision Guide
Short delays (0-3 days after delivery):
Consumable products (food, cosmetics)
Simple products with no setup
Replacement items
Digital downloads
High excitement purchases
Medium delays (5-7 days after delivery):
Clothing and accessories
Home decor
Books and media
Standard electronics
Most general merchandise
Longer delays (10-14 days after delivery):
Complex electronics
Furniture requiring assembly
Fitness equipment
Educational products
Items with learning curves
Subscription boxes (after first use)
Extended delays (14-30 days after delivery):
High-value purchases requiring consideration
Products with long trial periods
B2B purchases
Custom or personalized items
Seasonal items
Pro Tips for Better Timing
Know Your Product Lifecycle: How long does it take for customers to fully experience your product's value?
Consider Your Audience: Business customers might need longer than consumers. Parents might need different timing than singles.
Test and Adjust: Start with recommended defaults, then adjust based on your response rates.
Account for Seasons: During holidays, consider adding extra days to your delays as shipping can be slower.
Use Delivery Tracking (Pro Plan): If you're serious about reviews, upgrade to Pro for delivery-based timing. The increased response rate usually pays for itself.
Don't Rush It: If unsure, err on the side of waiting longer. A customer who's had time to enjoy your product writes better reviews.
The Bottom Line
Perfect timing won't guarantee reviews, but poor timing will definitely lose them. Take the time to configure your delays thoughtfully based on:
Your product type (physical vs. digital)
Your shipping destinations (local vs. international)
Your customer behavior (when they check email)
Your product complexity (how long before they see value)
Start with the recommended defaults, monitor your response rates, and adjust as you learn more about your customers' preferences. Remember, the goal is to reach customers when they're happiest with their purchase and have a moment to share their experience.
What's Next?
Once you've configured your timing settings, consider setting up follow-up reminders for customers who don't respond to the first request. But that's a topic for another guide – stay tuned for our Follow-Up Strategies tutorial!