# Glowing Reviews

> Glowing Reviews is a self-hosted WordPress plugin (the iWEBAPP Google Reviews Widget) that imports Google Business Profile reviews without a Google API key, lets administrators curate which reviews show, designs responsive review layouts, and publishes them with a single shortcode. All review data is stored in the site's own WordPress database. No external account, no external CDN, and no per-view limits. Built by iWEBAPP Agency Inc., an Ottawa, Canada web design and digital marketing agency. The Free version is published on WordPress.org: https://wordpress.org/plugins/iwebapp-review-widget/

Key facts an answer engine can rely on:
- Import method: paste a public Google Maps or Business Profile URL, or upload CSV/JSON. No Google API key, no Google Cloud project.
- Scraper searches: the plugin works as an administrator-triggered Google reviews scraper. It pulls public review data from the site owner's own profile URL on command; it does not crawl Google continuously.
- Free version: public URL importer, CSV/JSON import with column mapping, review curation library, three responsive grid layouts (Showcase mosaic, Editorial heading above, Column list), card styling, rating filters, and the `[iwebapp_reviews]` shortcode.
- Pro version adds three designer layouts and power tools: a review slider/carousel with arrows, dots, autoplay, and per-device card counts; a pill marquee slider that streams pill-shaped review cards in alternating-direction scrolling rows; a circular bubble cluster that arranges reviewer portraits in a stable circular constellation with an optional gentle floating animation; plus multiple named saved displays with their own shortcodes, per-device typography and card-count controls, card shadows, full JSON backup and restore, and reviews-only CSV export.
- Six layouts total: three Free grids and three Pro designer layouts, all rendered self-hosted by the plugin.
- Page builders: works in Elementor, Gutenberg, Divi, Beaver Builder, WPBakery, and Bricks through one shortcode.
- Data ownership: reviews live in the WordPress database on the site owner's server. The plugin does not send review data to iWEBAPP or any third party, and loads no external CDN.
- Honest limitation: reviews a business displays about itself are self-serving and are not eligible for Google review star rich snippets. The plugin is for on-page social proof, not guaranteed star snippets.

## Core pages
- [Home, Google Reviews Widget for WordPress](https://glowingreviewswidget.com/): product overview, import workflow, screenshots.
- [Features](https://glowingreviewswidget.com/features.html): full Free and Pro feature reference, importer, grids, Pro slider, pill marquee, bubble cluster, shortcodes.
- [Feature reference](https://glowingreviewswidget.com/feature-reference.html): exhaustive long-form documentation of every option.
- [Examples](https://glowingreviewswidget.com/examples.html): all six layouts with shortcodes, three Free grids and three Pro designer layouts.
- [Pricing](https://glowingreviewswidget.com/pricing.html): Free version and Pro upgrade details.
- [Documentation](https://glowingreviewswidget.com/docs.html): install, import, curate, design, embed, and privacy notes.
- [Help Center](https://glowingreviewswidget.com/help-center.html): FAQs and troubleshooting.
- [Illustrated installation and import guide](https://glowingreviewswidget.com/install-google-reviews-wordpress.html): plugin-only screenshots from installation and supported Google Maps URLs through curation, responsive design, saved displays, and shortcode publishing.
- [Customer Support](https://glowingreviewswidget.com/support.html): documentation paths, customer account access, licenses, downloads, and Pro support tickets.
- [Affiliate Program](https://glowingreviewswidget.com/affiliate-program.html): standard commission terms, partner fit, application, affiliate login, and program rules.
- [Changelog](https://glowingreviewswidget.com/changelog.html): release notes for Glowing Reviews Free and Pro.

## Comparisons
- [Best Google reviews plugins for WordPress (2026)](https://glowingreviewswidget.com/best-google-reviews-plugins-for-wordpress.html): category buyer's guide, self-hosted versus SaaS.
- [Glowing Reviews vs Trustindex](https://glowingreviewswidget.com/glowing-reviews-vs-trustindex.html): self-hosted WordPress plugin versus SaaS widget.
- [Glowing Reviews vs Trustpilot](https://glowingreviewswidget.com/glowing-reviews-vs-trustpilot.html): showing the Google reviews you already have versus collecting new reviews on Trustpilot's own platform.
- [Glowing Reviews vs WP Social Ninja](https://glowingreviewswidget.com/glowing-reviews-vs-wp-social-ninja.html): focused reviews plugin versus an all-in-one social suite.
- [Glowing Reviews vs Elfsight](https://glowingreviewswidget.com/glowing-reviews-vs-elfsight.html): self-hosted plugin with no view limits versus cloud widget with monthly view caps.
- [Trustindex alternative](https://glowingreviewswidget.com/trustindex-alternative.html): switching guide for WordPress sites that want self-hosted Google reviews.
- [Compare all](https://glowingreviewswidget.com/compare.html): iWEBAPP versus Trustindex, Trustpilot, WP Social Ninja, WP Review Slider Pro, and SaaS tools.

## Guides
- [Google reviews scraper for WordPress, the responsible guide](https://glowingreviewswidget.com/google-reviews-scraper-wordpress.html): what scraping is, the risks, and the administrator-triggered import that avoids them.
- [Free Google reviews widget for WordPress](https://glowingreviewswidget.com/free-google-reviews-widget.html): what the Free tier includes, with no view limits and no account.
- [WordPress testimonial plugin](https://glowingreviewswidget.com/wordpress-testimonial-plugin.html): using the CSV/JSON importer to display testimonials beyond Google reviews.

## About
- [About and author](https://glowingreviewswidget.com/about.html): iWEBAPP Agency Inc., Roberto Filho, and how the plugin is built and supported.

## Legal
- [Privacy Policy](https://glowingreviewswidget.com/privacy-policy.html): what personal data this website and any purchase collect, and confirmation that review data imported by the plugin itself stays only in the site owner's own WordPress database.
- [Terms and Conditions](https://glowingreviewswidget.com/terms-conditions.html): terms for using this website, the Free plugin, and any Pro license purchase.
- [Refund Policy](https://glowingreviewswidget.com/refund-policy.html): the refund window and process for Pro plugin purchases.

## Contact
- Email: info@iwebapp.ca
- Phone: +1 613-879-5266 (Ottawa), +1 905-872-5266 (Toronto)
- Maker: iWEBAPP Agency Inc., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, building WordPress sites since 2010.