The Reviews section with 5 display modes, Trustpilot/Google integration, and full customization. The most complete review system available on a Shopify theme.
Reviews
The Reviews section is one of Scale Theme's major assets. It lets you display customer reviews in 5 different formats, all powered by the same content blocks. Whether you sell physical products, services or digital goods, this section lets you showcase social proof in the way best suited to your brand.
The 5 variants in detail
1. Slider
The Slider mode displays reviews in a horizontal carousel with arrow navigation and/or pagination. It is the default and most versatile mode.
When to use:
- On the homepage for a quick review overview
- When you have little vertical space available
- For a dynamic and interactive presentation
Slider-specific settings:
| Setting | Options | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Slider type | CSS Scroll / Navigation | CSS Scroll = native touch scrolling, Navigation = arrows + dots |
| Navigation | On / Off | Shows prev/next arrows |
| Pagination | On / Off | Shows dots or progress bar |
| Autoplay | On / Off | Automatic scrolling |
| Autoplay speed | 3-10 seconds | Interval between each slide |
| Loop | On / Off | Returns to the beginning after the last slide |
2. Grid
The Grid mode displays all reviews in a structured grid. All cards have the same height within each row.
When to use:
- On a dedicated reviews page or landing page
- When you have many reviews to show
- For a structured and predictable display
Visibility settings (Grid and Masonry):
Grid (and Masonry) mode has visibility settings that limit the number of initially displayed reviews, with a "Show more" button:
| Setting | Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Visible on mobile | 3-20 | Number of reviews shown before the "Show more" button on mobile |
| Visible on tablet | 4-30 | Number of reviews shown before the "Show more" button on tablet |
| "Show more" button | On / Off | Shows a button to load remaining reviews |
| Button style | Primary / Secondary / Tertiary | Visual style of the "Show more" button |
3. Masonry
The Masonry mode creates a Pinterest-style column layout where each card has a different height based on content length. It is the most visually dynamic mode.
When to use:
- When your reviews have very different lengths (short + long)
- For a modern and visually attractive design
- When you include images in some reviews
Customizable card size (Masonry only):
In Masonry mode, each individual review block has an additional Card size setting:
| Size | Behavior |
|---|---|
| Auto | Height adapts to content (default) |
| Small | Compact card, text truncated if needed |
| Medium | Intermediate size |
| Large | Larger card, takes more vertical space |
4. Trustpilot Embed
The Trustpilot mode transforms the section into a complete Trustpilot-style widget, with the official logo, green stars and a header showing the average rating and total review count.
What changes in Trustpilot mode:
- The header automatically displays the Trustpilot logo, rating and review count
- The stars become green with Trustpilot style (green squares with white star)
- The cards adopt the Trustpilot visual style
- The platform is automatically set to Trustpilot
When to use:
- If your store has an active Trustpilot profile
- To maximize credibility through Trustpilot brand recognition
- On sales landing pages where trust is crucial
5. Google Embed
The Google mode works the same way as Trustpilot mode, but with the Google Reviews style: Google logo, yellow stars and Google card style.
What changes in Google mode:
- The header displays the Google logo, rating and review count
- The stars are yellow/gold in Google style
- The Author Info field in blocks can display "Local Guide", "Top Contributor", etc.
When to use:
- If your store has an active Google Business profile
- For businesses with a strong local presence
- For stores that receive reviews via Google Shopping
Visual comparison of the 5 variants
Number of columns
The number of columns affects all modes (Slider, Grid, Masonry) and is configured separately for desktop, tablet and mobile.
Desktop: 2 columns
Ideal for: Long and detailed reviews, sections with images, showcasing key testimonials.
Desktop: 3 columns (default)
Ideal for: Most use cases, good balance between density and readability.
Desktop: 4 columns
Ideal for: Many short reviews, dedicated review pages, dense display.
Desktop: 5 columns
Ideal for: Trustpilot/Google mode, very short reviews, "wall of reviews" effect.
Card styles
The card style defines the visual appearance of each review. It applies to all variants.
Flat style (default)
When to use: Minimalist design, colored section background, when you don't want strong visual separation between cards.
Border style
When to use: Classic and professional design, when you want a clean but discreet separation between cards. Ideal for B2B or professional stores.
Shadow style
When to use: Modern and premium design, when you want the cards to visually "pop" from the page. The most impactful style, perfect for conversion landing pages.
Card customization
Beyond style, you have several settings to adjust card appearance:
| Setting | Range | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Border radius | 0-30px | 8px | Card corner rounding |
| Padding | 12-48px | 24px | Card internal spacing |
| Gap | 0-60px | 20px | Spacing between cards |
| Image ratio | Adapt / Square / Portrait / Vertical / Landscape | Adapt | Image ratio within cards |
, giving a strict and geometric look.)
, giving a soft and modern look.)
Stars and ratings
Star styles
Three star styles are available, each suited to a different context:
| Style | Appearance | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|
| Default | Classic stars colored according to your palette | Custom design, brand consistency |
| Trustpilot | Green squares with white stars | Trustpilot integration, maximum credibility |
| Yellow/gold stars | Google integration, universal recognition |
Star settings
| Setting | Options | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Show ratings | On / Off | Enable/disable star display |
| Style | Default / Trustpilot / Google | Visual star style |
| Size | 12-28px | Star size |
| Color | Accent 1 / Accent 2 / Foreground | Star color in Default mode |
Testimonial block: full configuration
Each review is a Testimonial block (type "Review" in the editor). You can add up to 30 blocks per section. Here is the detail of each available field.
Review content
| Field | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | Range 1-5 (0.5 steps) | Number of stars for the review. Allows half-stars (e.g.: 4.5/5) |
| Title | Short text | Optional review title (e.g.: "Amazing product!") |
| Description | Rich text | The full review content, supports formatting (bold, italic) |
, Title ("Amazing product!"), and Description with rich text.)
Author information
| Field | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Author name | Text | Name displayed under the review (e.g.: "Emily B.") |
| Author info | Text | Additional information: city, "Verified buyer", "Local Guide", etc. |
| Verified purchase | Checkbox | Displays a green "Verified purchase" badge next to the name |
, Author info ("Paris, France"), and the "Verified purchase" checkbox checked.)
Media (image or video)
Each review can optionally include a visual media:
| Field | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Media type | None / Image / Video | Type of media to display in the card |
| Image | Image picker | Product image, customer photo, etc. |
| Video | Video picker | Customer testimonial video |
, followed by stars, review text, and author at the bottom.)
Per-review card options
| Field | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Title size | 50-150% | Adjusts the title size of this specific review |
| Card size | Auto / Small / Medium / Large | Card size in Masonry mode only |
Platform integration (generic mode)
Even in Slider, Grid or Masonry modes, you can enable platform integration (Trustpilot or Google) to add the header with logo and average rating.
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Platform | None / Trustpilot / Google |
| Show platform header | Enables the header with logo, rating and review count |
| Platform rating | 1-5 (in 0.1 steps) - the rating displayed in the header |
| Review count | Free text (e.g.: "2,547") - displayed in the header |
| Platform link | URL to your Trustpilot or Google page |
Tilt effect (Slider modes only)
The Tilt effect slightly tilts the cards for a more dynamic and visually unique look. It is available only in Slider mode (includes Trustpilot and Google).
| Setting | Options | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Enable tilt | On / Off | Enables the tilt effect |
| Style | Fan / Alternate | Fan = all tilted in the same direction, Alternate = alternating left/right |
| Angle | 1-5 degrees | Tilt intensity |
| Tilt on mobile | On / Off | Also applies the effect on mobile |
"Read more" feature
For long reviews, the section offers a "Read more" feature that truncates text after a certain number of characters.
| Setting | Range | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enable Read more | On / Off | On | Truncates long texts |
| Limit | 50-300 characters | 120 | Number of characters before truncation |
| "Read more" text | Text | "Read more" | Text of the expand link |
| "Read less" text | Text | "Read less" | Text of the collapse link |
Slider navigation
In Slider mode (including Trustpilot and Google), you have many settings to customize navigation.
Pagination styles
Three pagination styles are available:
| Style | Description |
|---|---|
| Dots | Classic dots, the active dot is highlighted |
| Progress | Horizontal progress bar |
| Fraction | "2 / 7" display (current slide / total) |
Navigation position
| Position | Description |
|---|---|
| Overlay | Arrows are overlaid on the cards |
| External | Arrows are outside the carousel |
| Integrated pagination | Arrows are integrated next to the pagination |
Arrow customization
| Setting | Options | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Arrow background | Transparent / Background / Foreground / Accent 1 / Accent 2 | Arrow button background color |
| Icon color | Foreground / Background / Accent 1 / Accent 2 | Arrow color itself |
| Icon size | 16-32px | Arrow size |
| Button shape | Circle / Rounded / Square | Shape of the button containing the arrow |
| Show on hover | On / Off | Arrows only appear when hovering the section |
Heading block
The Reviews section accepts a Heading block (limited to 1) displayed above the reviews. This block offers advanced options:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Subtitle | Short text above the title (e.g.: "Testimonials") |
| Title | Main title with rich text support (bold, italic) |
| Bold text style | Default / Color / Highlight - how bold text is formatted |
| Title level | H1 / H2 / H3 / H4 - for SEO |
| Title size | 50-200% - relative title size |
| Separator | Decorative line under the title (configurable width, height, color) |
Section global settings
| Category | Settings |
|---|---|
| Width | Narrow / Normal / Full Padded / Full |
| Padding | Top/Bottom desktop (0-100px), Top/Bottom mobile (0-100px) |
| Colors | Section color palette |
| Visibility | Hide on desktop / Hide on mobile |
| Separators | Top and bottom SVG separator (wave, curve, etc.) |
| Animations | Entry animation, stagger for cards |
Configuration examples by store type
Fashion / lifestyle store
- Layout: Masonry, 3 columns
- Card style: Shadow
- Media: Images in 50% of reviews (worn photos)
- Stars: Default, accent-1 color
- Heading: "What our customers say"
- Border radius: 16px for a modern look
Tech / SaaS store
- Layout: Grid, 3 columns
- Card style: Border
- Platform: Trustpilot
- Stars: Trustpilot style
- Heading: With average rating and Trustpilot logo
- Border radius: 4px for a professional look
Local / artisan store
- Layout: Slider, 2-3 columns
- Card style: Shadow
- Platform: Google
- Author info: City + "Local Guide"
- Tilt: Enabled, Fan style
- Heading: "Our customers speak"
Conversion landing page
- Layout: Trustpilot (variant)
- 5 desktop columns for a "wall of proof" effect
- Tilt: Enabled to add visual dynamism
- Autoplay: Enabled (5 seconds)
- Many reviews (15-20) for a volume effect
Best practices
Related section: Reviews Carousel
In addition to this section, Scale Theme offers a dedicated Reviews Carousel section optimized for a continuously scrolling testimonials banner. See Reviews Carousel.