How can Spin-to-Win Reviews help you get 5× more Google reviews ?

You probably already know that online reviews have become essential for your business. The more stars and recent reviews you have, the more you stand out in local search results.

The problem? Satisfied customers don’t always think about leaving a review. Worse, asking for one can create an awkward moment.

So what if we turned that request into a pleasant experience? Imagine your customers, instead of feeling pressured, taking part in a fun little game to win a prize, while leaving you a positive Google review at the same time.

👉 In this article, you will discover why a prize wheel contest is one of the most effective methods for collecting Google reviews, how to implement it easily, and which mistakes to avoid to maximize your results.

Why asking for a Google review is no longer enough 

The QR code, invisible, alone and not engaging

You have probably already seen these codes stuck on a counter or printed on a receipt with a message like “Leave us a Google review!”. The problem is simple, they have become so common that people no longer notice them. Even your most satisfied customers do not always take the time to take out their phone, scan the code, open Google and write a review, too many steps and not enough motivation. 

Asking verbally, difficult to genuinely encourage customers to leave a review

Asking for a review face to face, at the checkout or at the end of a service, can create an awkward moment. Your customer almost feels obliged to say yes, but once they leave, they forget. In the end, you get many promises but very few actual reviews published. 

Email, low impact when it comes to getting real reviews

Sending an email a few days after the visit may look like a good idea on paper, but in reality the open rate is usually low. And even if the customer opens the email, nothing guarantees that they will take the time to click and write a review. 

The conclusion is clear, without real motivation or the right moment, your review requests simply fade away. This is where gamification changes everything. 

Gamification, the fun and engaging method 

1. What is gamification ? 

Marketing gamification is simply the use of game elements in a context that is not originally playful.

In practice, it involves using the mechanics that make games captivating, such as points, challenges, progression, rewards, randomness, immediate feedback, and integrating them into the customer experience.

Instead of a cold and unmotivating request like “Could you leave us a Google review?”, you turn the moment into a positive interaction :

👉 “Scan the QR code and try your luck to win a prize by playing our prize wheel!”

2. Boost your Google reviews thanks to the carrot principle 

You want to know why this system is so great ? It is simple, we all love rewards.

Our brain is programmed to react when we are promised something small in exchange for an easy action. If a customer knows they can win something simply by writing a Google review, they will do it without hesitation.

This is what we call the carrot principle, you offer something appealing, such as a free dessert or a discount, to motivate action. And guess what, you already use this principle without even realizing it :

• “Buy one product, get one free”
• “Promo code for your first order”
• “Free tasting in store”

These little tricks work because they appeal to our natural desire to win something. It is a human reflex, nothing more.

👉 And when it comes to your Google reviews, it becomes a secret weapon, customers write a sincere comment to try to win a gift and it boosts your ranking on Google. It is fun, fast and extremely effective.

3. Engage your customers = a game for everyone 

From the youngest to the oldest, everyone loves to play. A spinning wheel, a scratch ticket, a mini game, these mechanisms evoke joyful memories and trigger positive emotions. When your customers associate your business with a pleasant moment, they naturally want to come back and recommend you.

In short :

• The customer no longer feels like they are performing a chore, they are taking part in a game.
• They get immediate stimulation, such as a spinning wheel, suspense or animation.
• They feel valued by a potential reward, even a small one such as a free dessert, a discount or a small gift.

The prize wheel, the key asset to collect many more reviews

How does it work exactly ?

The prize wheel has become the star of contest games for Google reviews, and for a good reason, it is simple, visual and creates real suspense.

Here is how it works in three steps :

• The customer scans a QR code, placed on your counter, your table or your shop window, the QR code sends them to your game page.
• They leave their review, before spinning the wheel, the customer can leave a review on your Google Business Profile. This step is quick and natural, because it is part of the game.
• They spin the prize wheel and discover their reward, then the customer plays the game on their smartphone. Suspense, and finally they see what they won, a free dessert, a discount, a free product, and more.

Why does this generate five star Google reviews ?

• The casino effect, the spinning wheel creates suspense and instant excitement. Even if the reward is small, the positive emotion is there.
• A guaranteed reward, unlike a random draw, everyone receives something. This encourages participation and avoids disappointment.
• Simplicity, no need to sign up or fill out long forms. The customer scans, plays and wins. It is quick and easy. 

Expected results => one in five customers converted 

In the field, with good communication such as posters, a mention from your staff and a clearly visible QR code, you can expect at least one out of five customers to leave a review. That is twenty percent of your customer base, and this is the minimum. With a good strategy and attractive rewards, some businesses reach much higher conversion rates.

Do the math, if you receive fifty customers a day, this can represent ten new reviews per day, which means three hundred per month. Enough to significantly boost your local visibility and attract new customers.

👉 Let us take the example of the restaurant Trèfle Rouge, near Montpellier, it went from three hundred reviews to more than one thousand six hundred Google reviews in only six months thanks to a prize wheel contest with Up Review.

How to set up Spin-To-Win contest ? 

Choose the right moment 

Timing is crucial. Offer the game at the moment when the customer is happiest, right after their meal, at the end of a successful service or at the time of payment. This is when they want to thank you and when they are the most receptive 

Communication materials

For your game to work, your customers must see it. Multiply the points of contact :

• On the counter, a small sign with the QR code and a catchy message such as “Try your chance to win a free dessert!”
•  On the tables, a display or a visible sticker
•  In the shop window, to catch attention as soon as customers walk in
•  On the receipt, a personalized note with the QR code

Do not forget, your team must talk about it too. A simple “Feel free to scan our QR code to try to win a gift” can make a huge difference.

For every game, a real reward 

The reward is the heart of your game. It must be :

• Attractive, not too cheap, not too costly. A free coffee, a dessert, a ten percent discount on the next visit, a product from your range and more.
•  Varied, include several reward levels on your wheel, small prizes guaranteed for everyone and a few bigger prizes to create excitement.
•  To be claimed in store, this is the trick. Offer rewards that must be used on a future visit, with a purchase or a consumption condition. This builds customer loyalty and increases your sales.

The 4 mistakes you must absolutely avoid 

 1. Offering a reward that is too weak or too STRONG

A prize with no value, such as a pen or a candy, will not motivate anyone. Your customers must feel that the game is worth it. Think in terms of perceived value, a homemade dessert, a meaningful discount or an exclusive product will have a much stronger impact than a generic gift. 

⚠️ But be careful, a reward that is too generous can work against you. Remember, it is a gift you offer. Make sure to adjust the winning probabilities in your contest game. For example, do not offer a bottle of champagne with a thirty percent chance of winning. 

2. Not respecting Google’s rules on reviews

⚠️ Be careful, Google strictly forbids rewarding a customer in exchange for a positive review.

Never apply pressure to obtain a positive review. If Google detects manipulation, your reviews may be deleted and your business listing may be penalized. Stay transparent and neutral.

With Up Review contest games, there is no obligation to post a review, after scanning the QR code, the customer is simply redirected to the Google Business Profile page of the business. They can then choose to leave a review or not, and they can participate in the contest in every case.

In other words, there is no constraint, only a clear and positive incentive. The game becomes a motivating counterpart without creating a forced exchange.

The customer remains free to express themselves and this approach is legal, ethical and sustainable for your online reputation.

👉 Learn more about Google’s rules and the sanctions related to review trading, buying fake reviews and more.

3. Making the process complicated

Too many steps means abandonment. The customer must be able to scan, play and win in less than two minutes. Do not ask for long registration, complicated forms or unnecessary information.

4. Forgetting follow up means forgetting loyalty

Launching your game is good, but monitoring your results is essential. How many people scan? How many write a review? At which step do you lose participants ?

This customer data, collected in compliance with GDPR, helps you adjust your strategy and improve your performance.

Also think about reminders, a small follow up by SMS or email such as “You have not tried your chance yet?” can dramatically increase your participation rate.

Beyond the Google rating, loyalty and customer return 

A reward to collect means a guaranteed visit

One of the biggest advantages of the prize wheel is that the reward pushes the customer to come back. A free dessert for the next visit, a discount to use within thirty days, you turn a simple game into a powerful loyalty tool.

Impact on the average basket

When a customer returns to collect their gift, they usually purchase something else as well. In the end, your average basket increases. The cost of the reward is more than compensated by this additional visit.

Creating a memorable experience

A customer who has fun is a customer who remembers you. By offering a fun and positive moment, you create an emotional connection with your business. And this connection is what encourages people to recommend you and to return with pleasure. 

Engage your customers and boost your visibility with Up Review

You are convinced by the gamification solution, but you do not know where to start? Up Review offers you an all in one solution to organize a contest game and collect many five star reviews.

What we offer you 

• Contest games such as prize wheel, scratch tickets, slot machine and random draws
• QR codes and visual materials provided, signs, stickers and table displays
• Centralized Google reviews, track your rating, collect real reviews and reply automatically with AI
• SMS and email campaigns, follow up with your customers at the right moment and boost your conversions
• A fully detailed dashboard, track your participants, collected reviews, conversion rate and customer feedback in real time

Our clients collect on average fifty to two hundred new Google reviews per month thanks to our solution. So, what are you waiting for to boost your local visibility ?

👉 Discover our offer and launch your Up Review marketing game in just a few clicks

Conclusion : Spin-To-Win games to collect Google reviews

Gamification is perfect for getting Google reviews. Your customers play, win and leave a review on Google. It is effective and much simpler than traditional digital marketing.

Beyond reviews, you build customer loyalty, you rise in search results and you improve your online reputation.

So, are you ready to gain more customers ?

You are out of scratch cards, it is time to launch your customizable contest game. Watch your average rating take off starting today.

Nathanaël Butet, for the Up Review team ❤️