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How Ratings & Reviews Work for Sellers

1 min read

(Seller Growth & Optimization – Seller Guide)

Ratings and reviews are more than feedback — they are trust signals that influence sales, visibility, and account health on Kingston Express.
Understanding how they work helps sellers protect scores, respond correctly, and avoid actions that cause long-term damage.

This guide explains:

  • How ratings are created and calculated
  • What reviews influence (and what they don’t)
  • What sellers can and cannot do
  • How Dispatched by Kingston Express supports better reviews

What Are Ratings vs Reviews? #

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https://www.demandhub.co/assets/images/demandhub/articles/positive-review-examples/positive-review-examples-3.png

⭐ Ratings #

  • Numerical score (usually 1–5 stars)
  • Quick reflection of customer satisfaction

📝 Reviews #

  • Written feedback from customers
  • Explain why a rating was given

📌 Both matter — but ratings affect visibility faster.


When Customers Can Leave Ratings & Reviews #

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Customers can leave feedback:
✔ After an order is delivered
✔ Within the allowed review window

📦 Delivery completion unlocks review eligibility.


What Ratings Are Based On (Important) #

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281962326/figure/fig2/AS%3A478200544403456%401491023302012/Conceptual-Model-of-Determinants-of-E-commerce-Customer-Satisfaction-Belief-and-Loyalty.png
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Ratings usually reflect the entire experience, including:

  • Product accuracy
  • Delivery reliability
  • Packaging condition
  • Communication
  • Issue resolution

📌 Even if the product is good, delivery issues can lower ratings.


How Ratings Affect Sellers #

https://www.sellerlabs.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Seller-Feedback-vs-Product-Reviews-Key-Differences-Impact-on-Amazon-SEO-in-2025.png
https://www.vazoola.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Search%20Engine%20Trust%20Signals.webp?height=507&name=Search+Engine+Trust+Signals.webp&width=902

Ratings influence:

  • Buyer trust
  • Conversion rates
  • Product visibility
  • Seller credibility

📊 Consistently strong ratings compound growth.


Reviews & Search Visibility #

https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/62b1b17308b0d74291186304/66af87a157fc5d11c4811681_google%20reviews%20local%20seo.png
https://www.smartsites.com/media/leveraging.jpg

Products with:
✔ Higher average ratings
✔ Recent reviews
✔ Fewer complaints

…are more likely to:

  • Appear higher in search
  • Convert better when clicked

📌 Reviews don’t just persuade — they signal quality.


What Sellers CAN Do (Best Practices) #

https://www.demandhub.co/assets/images/demandhub/articles/positive-review-examples/positive-review-examples-14.png
https://front.com/assets/blog/how-to-reply-to-positive-customer-feedback-2.png

✔ Deliver what’s listed
✔ Communicate clearly
✔ Respond professionally to reviews
✔ Fix recurring issues

📌 Good behavior earns good feedback.


What Sellers CANNOT Do (Strict Rules) #

https://www.reputationdefender.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/fake_review.jpg
https://tracefuse.ai/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/what-qualifies-as-review-manipulation.webp

🚫 Prohibited actions:

  • Asking for positive reviews in exchange for incentives
  • Offering refunds or gifts for review changes
  • Posting fake reviews
  • Pressuring customers to remove reviews

⚠️ Review manipulation can lead to suspension.


Responding to Reviews (Do This Right) #

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https://www.usehatchapp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/how-to-respond-to-google-reviews-positive-example.jpg?height=472&name=how-to-respond-to-google-reviews-positive-example.jpg&width=680

Positive reviews #

✔ Thank the customer
✔ Keep it short

Negative reviews #

✔ Stay calm
✔ Acknowledge the issue
✔ Explain next steps (if appropriate)

📌 Future buyers read seller responses.


Can Reviews Be Removed? #

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Reviews may be removed if they:

  • Contain abusive language
  • Include personal data
  • Are unrelated to the order
  • Violate platform guidelines

📌 Disagreeing with a review is not grounds for removal.


How Dispatched by Kingston Express Improves Ratings #

https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/67977425c119e1a4a325df8e/67efd5c3d8c8b830f900ae39_Breakthrough%20Benefits%20of%20E-commerce%20Shipping.webp
https://www.missioncriticalpartners.com/wp-content/uploads/WhoWeServe_911ECC_Intro_image.jpg

Orders Dispatched by Kingston Express often receive:

  • Better delivery-related reviews
  • Fewer “item not received” complaints
  • More consistent delivery experiences

📦 Reliable delivery = stronger reviews.


Common Seller Mistakes With Ratings #

https://dazeinfo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Negative-review-on-ecommerce-websitesapps-1024x775.png
https://www.demandhub.co/assets/images/demandhub/articles/google-seller-ratings/google-seller-ratings-3.webp

❌ Ignoring reviews
❌ Responding emotionally
❌ Blaming customers publicly
❌ Overpromising delivery

⚠️ One bad response can do more damage than one bad review.


How to Recover From a Low Rating Period #

https://www.sqmgroup.com/images/six-service-recovery-strategies-infographic.jpg
https://cedcommerce.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/6-tips-to-improve-seller-ratings.jpg
  1. Identify recurring complaints
  2. Fix the root cause
  3. Improve listings or delivery
  4. Let new reviews rebuild the average

📈 Recent behavior matters most.


What Does NOT Hurt Ratings Long-Term #

❌ One unfair review
❌ Occasional delivery delays
❌ Isolated complaints

📌 Patterns matter — not one-offs.


Final Rule (This Protects You) #

👉 Ratings reflect consistency, not perfection.

Sellers who:

  • List accurately
  • Deliver reliably
  • Communicate professionally
  • Use Dispatched by Kingston Express

…build strong ratings, higher visibility, and sustainable sales ⭐📦📈

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