--- title: "Getting Started - Quick Start Guide" description: "Check this article to get setup with HiFiveStar in just a few short minutes." url: https://help.hifivestar.com/en/articles/39-getting-started-quick-start-guide collection: "Getting Started" updated: 2026-10-21 language: en --- # Getting Started - Quick Start Guide Check this article to get setup with HiFiveStar in just a few short minutes. ## πŸ‘‹ **Welcome to HiFiveStar.** Boost your business's online presence effortlessly with [**HiFiveStar**](https://hifivestar.com/), driving more revenue through hundreds of positive reviews. Our platform not only collects reviews by **SMS**, **Email**, **WhatsApp**, or **QR code** (text and email requests can go out automatically on Pro and up, and WhatsApp opens with your message ready for you to send), but also amplifies your SEO, PPC, and social media impact. Plus, enjoy the power of **reputation protection** and insightful **review management**, all _without any advertising costs_. Let's transform your business into a customer favorite! > **Info:** πŸ”₯ **Your Reviews in One Spot**: Bring new reviews from Google, Tripadvisor, Yelp and six other sites into one dashboard. ### **HiFiveStar helps users get:** - βœ… Up to 18% more revenue - βœ… Up to 20% more positive reviews - βœ… Up to 270% higher website conversion - βœ… Stronger SEO, PPC, and marketing results - βœ… Smart resolution of customer issues, protecting your reputation - βœ… Grow with customer feedback - βœ… Enhanced customer satisfaction - βœ… In-depth sentiment analysis for smarter decisions **Ready to take your online reputation to the next level?** [GET STARTED](https://hifivestar.com/) This guide shows our previous app. The written steps on this page describe the current one. * * * **Which steps need a paid plan:** On the Forever Free plan you can do Steps 1, 2, 4, 6 and 9, share your review link and QR code, and reply to private feedback. After the free trial, sending review requests by SMS, email or WhatsApp (Step 5), AI Reply (Step 3) and Analytics (Step 8) start on the Core plan. Businesses that joined HiFiveStar before September 23, 2026 have every feature until November 30, 2026, and every new account has every feature except texting for its first 14 days. ## **STEP 1: Integrate Review Platforms** Connect HiFiveStar with your review sites. Reviews from Google and eight other sites come into one Reviews list, and every site you add can go on your review page. - **Steps**: Navigate to **Settings >> Integrations** β†’ Select a platform β†’ Click **Integrate** and follow the setup instructions. This guide shows our previous app. The written steps on this page describe the current one. ## **STEP 2: Review Management** Keep an organized track of customer reviews, respond promptly, and maintain your business’s online reputation. 1. **Automatic Updates**: New Google reviews come in once a day, and a connected Facebook Page is checked every hour. Tripadvisor and Thumbtack are checked daily, Indeed and Glassdoor every 3 days, Yelp and Zillow weekly, and HomeAdvisor monthly. Reviews from other sites are not imported yet. ![The Reviews list: reviews that need a reply, each with Reply, Write it for me and Mark as done](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/p63fc37685a35422f6b6fe5ee/36l8oZ3WibWVDaLg23f5kdC9YqijJQyX8bnmUX8SuLoqgeESPNI4b2o85brI2lpax87Nzh9BZeX.png) 2. **Review Overview**: In the **Reviews** section, **By platform** shows the three sites with the most public reviews in HiFiveStar, with the number of reviews and average rating for each (in the classic look, the left sidebar lists platforms linked in our previous app, with the ratings and review counts carried over from it). This helps you quickly gauge overall feedback across different sites. ![Rating breakdown and By platform on the Reviews page: the three sites with the most reviews, with each one's average rating and number of reviews](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/p63fc37685a35422f6b6fe5ee/lL1J9PH9vVfFle4fmIzMSo4Y7aUik4rSy8pL0Jhz0gWMr2bsWXh38dbS1mZySLQrv8JJwJAsfHT.png) 3. **Search and Filter Reviews**: Use the filter row above your reviews (in the classic look, the right sidebar, on a computer only) to: - **Search**: Find specific reviews by entering keywords. - **Filter**: Narrow down reviews based on criteria like Needs reply, Replied, platform, date, Rating and Type (in the classic look, Assessment, Type, Site, Answer and Date). This feature allows you to focus on reviews that require urgent attention or fall under specific categories. ![The filter row above the reviews: All, Needs reply, Replied, Private feedback, search, platform and date, with More filters open showing Rating and Type](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/p63fc37685a35422f6b6fe5ee/BpZ7RCD2a3Wv6fwbnBogGhrcQPXSE6XKfBlsHNf5C7qnxDPptRtl6RHrfe0bY2rym1YsVKwEZhT.png) 4. **Respond to Reviews**: Directly engage with customer feedback by clicking **Reply** under each review. This feature enables you to address customer concerns, thank appreciative customers, and display your business's commitment to customer satisfaction. ![A review card with Reply, Write it for me and Mark as done](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/p63fc37685a35422f6b6fe5ee/aUeQxHRwHEsUNmYZvcI5pWMlEIHec110ZGFDbxqupJNt4hOW6Qm6dLwjdhYoYEBVX81TfR7tUXP.png) ## **STEP 3: AI Reply for Automated Responses** Utilize AI technology to save time: AI Reply writes a draft reply to a review, which you can edit before you use it. AI Reply is on the Core plan and up. - **Steps**: Click **Write it for me** on a review for a draft (in the classic look, click **Reply** on a Google or Facebook review, or **Reply Privately** on private feedback, then **AI Reply**). Click **AI Reply** in the reply window for a different draft. ![The Reply to Review window, with Custom Reply and AI Reply](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/p63fc37685a35422f6b6fe5ee/QjRt30XmQIH7QNtGOrrAMLdvKadCbCIxz3ImN4rhI0MpGlE77y2lWcRD6Hu5EABhOK1UFLjXOMX.png) ## **STEP 4: Customize Your Review Link** Make it easy for customers to leave reviews by personalizing the review link that aligns with your brand. - **Steps**: Go to **Review Link** β†’ Edit your review URL and preview title β†’ Configure platform visibility and manage settings for negative feedback. ![The Review Link page: the review link, the social preview title, the star filter, Share your link with the QR code, and a preview of the review page](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/p63fc37685a35422f6b6fe5ee/P9a0cbA9MTbDeRhMh77OsrYuL8OAm13xS1JePSscPAUaFr05qhjbl15k5ivAQmraQ3ULp7hTSyR.png) ## **STEP 5: Getting Reviews** Proactively collect reviews by reaching out to customers, which helps in building a robust online presence. - **Steps**: Open **Get Reviews**. On every plan, the **QR Code** tab has your review link and QR code to share. On the Core plan and up, upload a CSV or add customer details manually, then send requests by SMS, Email or WhatsApp. ![Get Reviews: the SMS, Email, WhatsApp and QR Code tabs above the Invite your customers form](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/p63fc37685a35422f6b6fe5ee/rqMc2ZLPv4UtbLCD2LJq00nKKy4SoCHBrzqxSFtn6sJhIdLLb3z7mATuZyADox8q4pnU7ZwYiFU.png) ## **STEP 6: Set Up Website Widgets** - **Purpose**: Display reviews on your website to build trust and provide social proof to potential customers. - **Steps**: Select your widget style β†’ Customize appearance β†’ Copy and paste the HTML code into your website. ![Website Widgets: the widget styles, a live preview, the filters, the review sites the widget shows, and the HTML code to copy](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/p63fc37685a35422f6b6fe5ee/Fck3Ds66zB9BNLHoI73AmOMkKxUrTlDAlipPWI6prLpwuVHbmNy3R4TcXk0W283v21bIsiRSYt5.png) ## **STEP 7: Social Sharing** Increase the reach of positive reviews by sharing them on your social media platforms. - **Steps**: Connect your Facebook/Instagram accounts in **Settings β€Ί Social Sharing** β†’ Use **Share on social** on a review to share it. Posting to a Facebook Page works once it is connected; posting to Instagram is not switched on yet: it is waiting on Meta's approval of HiFiveStar's app. ![A review card's menu with Hide from widget, Share on social and Delete](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/p63fc37685a35422f6b6fe5ee/APt2AQNOBYUKQ4YXiHEh1gNW2EiGVZGCn0ZHa3cF4XYAwBs9LbxvmHh8TxwqXyxYYwotbXjTMiU.png) ## **STEP 8: Analytics Overview** - **Purpose**: Gain insights into your review performance to strategize better for your business. - **Steps**: Access the **Analytics** section to view data and growth charts. Analytics is on the Core plan and up. ![Analytics for the last 6 months: the review funnel, the reviews growth chart and new public reviews by star rating](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/p63fc37685a35422f6b6fe5ee/c3B4g941aKdy4lncNGEAxFEriYnnlBpEsRCZ5StEVXPyTi9IPMknOR4nVU08fHOI3jdatTULjA6.png) ## **STEP 9: Notification Settings** - **Purpose**: Get an email as soon as a customer leaves private feedback or a video testimonial, and a daily recap of your new reviews. New public reviews also appear on your Reviews page. - **Steps**: Go to **Settings >> Notifications** β†’ Input your email and turn on notifications. ![Settings, Notifications: the email for notifications with its Send the daily recap and feedback alerts switch, and the email for replies](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/p63fc37685a35422f6b6fe5ee/MM3T7mfaTqGHX91P1AeGrEFtXY3q0QJAmJpTYZCXwvKtTeGoT4h2pzlFyb8GAcsqDkhv5jS3G38.png) **Congrats, you're all set!** πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰ You've completed the Quick Start Guide and are now ready to make the most of HiFiveStar. Begin enhancing your customer engagement today! Good luck! 🌟 * * * ## **\[OPTIONAL\]: Update Your Password** Secure your account by changing your password, especially if a team member added you and you signed in with the automatically generated password from your email. This prevents unauthorized access. - **Steps**: Sign in β†’ Go to **Settings >> Account** β†’ Enter and confirm your new password β†’ Click **Save**. This guide shows our previous app. The written steps on this page describe the current one.