Connecting your Stamped reviews with a loyalty program creates a retention flywheel where every customer review generates points that drive repeat purchases. Whether you're using Stamped's native loyalty product or a dedicated Shopify loyalty program like Rivo, this guide walks through the complete setup process—from initial configuration to VIP tier automation.
According to merchant data, repeat customers spend 67% more than new customers. When you combine that with the trust-building power of reviews, you create a system that both acquires and retains customers more effectively.
Key Takeaways
- Integrating reviews with loyalty drives measurable results through point incentives that increase review submission rates
- Setup requires no coding for standard implementations when using native integrations
- VIP customers in tiered programs spend 2.1x more than non-VIP members
- Photo and video reviews can earn bonus points—Stamped allows separate earning rules for visual content
- Target 40-60% redemption rate as a healthy benchmark—higher breakage suggests rewards lack value
- Rivo offers an alternative approach at $49/month starting price with flexibility to integrate any review platform via Shopify Flow
Understanding the Synergy: Why Connect Reviews and Loyalty?
Reviews and loyalty programs solve different problems that compound when combined. Reviews build trust for new customers—93% of consumers say online reviews impact their purchasing decisions. Loyalty programs drive repeat purchases from existing customers. When you reward reviews with loyalty points, you create a self-reinforcing cycle.
The business case is straightforward. Research from Harvard Business Review shows that increasing customer retention rates by just 5% can increase profits by 25% to 95%. Reviews support that retention by building community and giving customers a voice in your brand's evolution.
Here's what happens when you connect these two systems:
- More reviews: Customers who earn points are significantly more likely to submit reviews. The incentive removes friction and provides immediate gratification.
- Higher engagement: When customers see their points balance growing with each interaction, they're more likely to return to your store to redeem those rewards.
- Increased AOV: Customers often add items to their cart to reach a reward threshold, naturally increasing their average order value.
- Better retention: Points create a "sunk cost" effect where customers are less likely to shop with competitors because they've invested effort into your program.
The integration works because it aligns customer and brand incentives. Customers get tangible value for their feedback. Brands get social proof that converts browsers into buyers. It's a simple equation that pays dividends over time.
According to Statista's ecommerce research, the global ecommerce market continues to grow, making customer differentiation increasingly important. Loyalty programs integrated with review systems give you that competitive edge.
Pre-Integration Checklist: Preparing Your Stamped and Loyalty Accounts
Before configuring points for reviews, verify these prerequisites:
Platform Requirements:
- Shopify, BigCommerce, or WooCommerce store
- Shopify Flow app installed (if using third-party loyalty like Rivo)
- Admin access to both Stamped and your loyalty platform
Account Type Considerations:
- Stamped Reviews: Available on Basic plan at $23/month for up to 200 orders
- Stamped Full Suite (Reviews + Loyalty): Starts at $279/month for native integration
- VIP tiers require Professional plan or higher
Data Preparation:
- Export existing customer data if migrating from another platform
- Document current review volume as a baseline
- Map product IDs if importing historical reviews
For brands using Stamped Reviews with a separate loyalty platform, you'll need Shopify Flow to trigger point awards when reviews are submitted. Stamped's native loyalty has built-in integration that requires no middleware.
Step-by-Step Guide: Configuring Stamped Reviews to Reward Loyalty
Phase 1: Install and Configure Stamped (15-30 minutes)
Step 1: Install from Shopify App Store
Navigate to Shopify App Store, search "Stamped Reviews & Loyalty," and click Install. The Stamped dashboard opens with an onboarding wizard that walks you through initial setup.
Step 2: Install the Loyalty Launcher Widget
For Shopify 2.0 themes:
- Go to Online Store > Themes > Customize > Theme Settings > App Embeds
- Enable the "Rewards Launcher" toggle
- Click Save
For vintage themes:
- Navigate to Stamped Dashboard > Display > Launcher > Settings > Installation
- Click "Install Launcher" (auto-injects code)
- Refresh your storefront to verify the widget appears
Phase 2: Configure Points Rules (45-60 minutes)
Step 3: Set Up Basic Earning Rules
In Stamped Dashboard, go to Loyalty > Earning Points:
- Configure "Make a Purchase" rule: Enter points per dollar spent (e.g., 10 points per $1)
- Set "Account Creation" bonus (e.g., 100 points for signup)
- Click "Create Rule" and set Status to "Active"
Step 4: Enable Review Points
- Click "Create New Rule"
- Select "User-Generated Content" category > "Write a Review"
- Toggle Points Settings to ON
- Enter points reward (e.g., 50 points per review)
- Set Earning Limits (e.g., 5 reviews max per month to prevent abuse)
- Click "Create Rule"
Step 5: Add Photo/Video Bonuses (Optional)
Repeat Step 4 for "Upload a Photo" and "Upload a Video" with bonus points:
- Photo reviews: +25 points
- Video reviews: +50 points
This tiered approach incentivizes higher-quality user-generated content that converts better. Visual content provides social proof that text alone can't match.
Phase 3: Configure Review Request Automation (30 minutes)
Step 6: Set Up Post-Purchase Emails
Navigate to Reviews > Settings > Review Requests:
- Set email delay (7 days after delivery for domestic orders works well for most brands)
- Enable "Include loyalty points reminder" in email template
- Customize subject line: "Get 50 points for your review!"
The key here is making the points value clear and immediate. Customers are more likely to act when they understand the benefit upfront.
Step 7: Enable Launcher Review Submission
Go to Display > Launcher > Customization:
- Enable "Order History" tab
- Customize colors and branding to match your store
- Test the flow by placing a test order and submitting a review
Customers can now click the Launcher, see past orders, and submit reviews directly—earning points instantly. This reduces friction and increases review submission rates.
Maximizing Redemption: Using Stamped-Earned Points for Rewards
Points without valuable redemption options lead to high breakage and low engagement. Configure rewards that drive repeat purchases and create genuine excitement:
Creating Redemption Rules:
- Go to Loyalty > Redeeming Points
- Click "Create New Rule" > Select reward type
- Set points required (e.g., 500 points = $5 off)
- Configure expiration (30 days recommended to create urgency)
Recommended Reward Types:
- Amount Discount: Fixed dollar amount off (most popular option). Example: 500 points = $5 discount
- Percentage Discount: Good for high-ticket items. Example: 1,000 points = 10% off
- Free Shipping: Low cost for brands, high perceived value for customers
- Free Products: Works well for consumables and sample-sized items that encourage product discovery
The psychology of redemption matters. Aim for 40-60% redemption rate as a healthy benchmark. Higher breakage suggests your rewards don't provide enough value. Lower redemption might mean your earning mechanisms are too generous.
Test different reward tiers to find what resonates with your customer base. Some brands see better engagement with frequent small rewards, while others benefit from larger aspirational prizes.
Enhancing Customer Experience: Displaying Loyalty & Review Status
Visibility drives participation. If customers don't see their points or understand how to earn more, engagement drops. Install widgets that show customers their progress in real-time:
Product Detail Pages:
Display point previews that show customers exactly what they'll earn. For example: "Earn 100 points with this purchase" or "You're 200 points away from a $10 reward." This creates anticipation and encourages conversion.
Show review count and star ratings prominently. Social proof works best when it's impossible to miss. Place reviews above the fold when possible.
Navigation Bar:
Add points balance display in your site header so customers always see their current total. Include quick access to the Launcher so they can check their status without navigating away.
Customer Account Portal:
Integrate a loyalty dashboard showing complete points history, including points earned from reviews, purchases, and other activities. Display review activity and earned rewards in one place.
Show VIP tier status and progress toward the next level. Gamification elements like progress bars create motivation to engage more deeply with your brand.
For brands wanting more control over their customer accounts, dedicated account portals can consolidate loyalty, referrals, and subscription management in one unified interface. This creates a smoother customer experience and increases perceived brand value.
The more visible you make the loyalty program, the more customers will engage with it. Think of your loyalty program as a feature worth promoting, not something to hide in the footer.
Advanced Strategies: Leveraging Reviews for VIP Tiers and Segmentation
VIP tiers create aspirational goals that drive incremental behavior. Tony Ray Tattoos reported 33% higher AOV from VIP tier customers compared to non-VIP members.
Creating VIP Tiers
Navigate to Loyalty > VIP > Create New Tier:
- Name your tier (e.g., "Gold Member")
- Set entry requirement: Points balance or Amount spent
- Set tier term: Lifetime or rolling period (e.g., 365 days)
Tier Structure Example:
- Bronze: 0-499 points (base earning rate)
- Silver: 500-1,999 points (1.5x earning multiplier)
- Gold: 2,000+ points (2x earning multiplier, exclusive perks)
The tier structure should feel achievable but meaningful. If tiers are too easy to reach, they lose their aspirational quality. If they're too difficult, customers give up.
Adding Review-Specific Tier Perks
For each tier, create perks that reward more reviews:
- Gold members earn 100 points per review instead of 50
- Silver members get priority review approval and featuring
- All VIPs receive early access to new products in exchange for feedback
These review-specific benefits create a virtuous cycle. Your most engaged customers leave more reviews, which drives more conversions, which creates more engaged customers.
Email Segmentation
Stamped syncs VIP tier data to Klaviyo automatically. Use these tags to:
- Send VIP-specific review requests with enhanced rewards
- Create re-engagement campaigns for lapsed tier members who haven't reviewed recently
- Trigger tier advancement celebrations that recognize customer milestones
Segmentation allows you to personalize the experience based on customer behavior. Your VIP customers should feel like VIPs through exclusive communication and benefits.
Monitoring Success: Analytics for Your Integrated Reviews & Loyalty Program
Track these metrics monthly to optimize performance and identify opportunities:
Review Metrics:
- Review volume (target: 10-15% of orders generate reviews)
- Photo/video review percentage
- Average rating trend over time
Loyalty Metrics:
- Points earned vs. redeemed
- Redemption rate (target: 40-60%)
- Revenue from redeemers vs. non-members
- VIP tier distribution across your customer base
Combined Impact:
- Repeat purchase rate lift among loyalty members
- AOV from loyalty members vs. non-members
- Customer lifetime value changes over time
- Review-to-conversion correlation
Access these reports in Stamped Dashboard > Analytics > Loyalty. Review weekly during the first month post-launch to catch any issues early, then shift to monthly for ongoing optimization.
Look for trends, not just snapshots. A single month of data tells you very little. Three to six months of data reveals patterns you can act on.
Troubleshooting Common Issues and Best Practices
Common Setup Issues
Launcher not appearing
- Cause: App Embed disabled in theme settings
- Solution: Go to Theme Settings > App Embeds > enable the Rewards Launcher toggle
Points not awarding for reviews
- Cause: Reviews not verified or order status requirement not met
- Solution: Check Settings > Points > ensure "Order Status" is set to "Paid" or "Fulfilled"
Double-counting tax in points calculation
- Cause: Tax included in Shopify order total
- Solution: Uncheck "Include sales tax" in Earning Points settings
Review request emails not sending
- Cause: Review automation status inactive
- Solution: Verify Review Requests status is "Active" in Settings > Review Requests
Best Practices
- Start conservative: Set 50 points per review initially—it's easier to increase rewards than decrease them
- Limit earning: Cap at 5 reviews per customer monthly to prevent gaming the system
- Verify before rewarding: Only award points for verified buyer reviews to maintain authenticity
- Test redemption flow: Submit a test review and redeem points yourself before launching to customers
The most successful programs iterate based on data. Don't set it and forget it. Review your analytics, test new reward structures, and listen to customer feedback.
Why Leading Brands Choose Rivo for Loyalty Integration
While Stamped's native integration works well for brands wanting an all-in-one solution, many Shopify Plus merchants prefer dedicated platforms for each function. Rivo offers a modern retention platform built specifically for Shopify Plus that integrates with any review app—including Stamped, Judge.me, Junip, and Loox.
Key advantages for growing brands:
Lower entry point: Plans start at $49/month versus $279+ for all-in-one suites. You pay for what you need without bundling features you might not use.
Best-in-class API: The Developer Toolkit enables custom integrations beyond standard Shopify Flow triggers. If you have unique requirements or want to build custom experiences, Rivo gives you the flexibility to do so.
No annual contracts: Month-to-month billing with no VC-driven lock-in pressure. If Rivo isn't working for your brand, you're not stuck in a year-long commitment.
White-glove migration: Rivo's team handles data migration from other platforms. You don't lose your customer points history or have to start from scratch.
Modern Shopify architecture: Built on checkout extensions and theme app extensions, not deprecated Scripts or checkout.liquid workarounds. This means faster performance and future-proof infrastructure.
For brands already using Stamped Reviews, Rivo connects via Shopify Flow to trigger point awards when reviews are submitted. This approach lets you keep your existing review infrastructure while upgrading your loyalty capabilities with a platform designed specifically for retention.
Brands like HexClad, Dr. Squatch, and Portland Leather Goods have chosen Rivo for its flexibility and enterprise-grade support—including dedicated Slack channels and quarterly strategy sessions on Plus and Enterprise plans.
The separation of concerns approach (reviews handled by one platform, loyalty by another) gives you the freedom to choose best-in-class solutions for each function rather than settling for bundled features that might not excel at either.
Rivo's team understands that your loyalty program is a revenue driver, not just a nice-to-have feature. That's why the platform prioritizes speed, reliability, and results over flashy features that don't move the needle.
If you're evaluating loyalty platforms and want a partner that grows with you rather than locking you into rigid contracts, Rivo's approach offers the flexibility modern brands need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can customers earn different points for photo reviews?
Yes. Create separate earning rules for each review type in Stamped's Loyalty > Earning Points section. Most brands award 25-50 additional points for photo reviews and 50-100 for video reviews on top of base text review rewards. This incentivizes higher-quality content that converts better.
How do I prevent fraudulent reviews?
Stamped requires reviews to be "Verified Buyers"—meaning the customer email must match an order containing the reviewed product. Additionally, set earning limits like max 5 reviews monthly and configure order status requirements to "Paid" or "Fulfilled" before points award. For referral programs, platforms like Rivo offer 20+ built-in fraud prevention tools.
Will this integration slow my store?
No. Stamped uses Shopify 2.0 theme app extensions that load in under 100ms. Rivo similarly uses theme app extensions and checkout extensions designed for speed, with 99.98% API uptime. Both platforms are optimized for performance.
What reporting can I expect?
Both Stamped and Rivo provide analytics dashboards tracking points earned versus redeemed, redemption rates, revenue attribution, VIP tier distribution, and customer lifetime value comparisons. Rivo offers 20+ built-in reports specifically focused on loyalty program performance and ROI measurement.
Is this compatible with new customer accounts?
Stamped and Rivo both support Shopify's new customer accounts architecture. Rivo Accounts specifically provides personalized customer portals with wishlists, order tracking, and loyalty dashboards—all using passwordless login and auto-login from Klaviyo email clicks for seamless customer experience.
