What Happens After You Submit a Mystery Shop?
How Your Research Is Used by Business Clients
A lot happens behind the scenes after you complete a shop.
You see your assignment and submit your report — but the information you provide becomes part of a much larger system that business clients rely on to make strategic decisions.
Here’s how your work moves from your report to a client’s dashboard, and how it helps teams understand and improve the customer experience.
Step 1: Your Report Is Reviewed by an Editor
Once you submit a shop, an editor reviews the report for:
-
Clarity
-
Completeness
-
Consistency
-
Required evidence (when applicable)
-
Whether written comments support the scores awarded
If any details are unclear, the editor may reach out by email to request clarification or revision.
This editorial review helps ensure the information shared with the client is accurate, consistent, and usable.
Step 2: The Report Is Added to the Client’s Dashboard
After approval, your report moves into the client’s reporting system — often within minutes.
Each client chooses how they prefer to receive updates. Depending on their setup, they may:
-
Receive email alerts when new shops post
-
Log in daily or weekly to review results
-
Pull custom reports
-
Compare multiple locations or time periods
This flexibility ensures your data reaches the right people quickly.
Step 3: Different Roles See Different Views
Client dashboards are structured so each level of leadership sees information relevant to their role.
Store Managers
See results for their own location only.
Many check dashboards shortly after a shop posts.
District or Regional Managers
View results across multiple locations.
They often look for patterns, trends, and performance differences.
Corporate or Executive Leadership (including CEOs)
Have visibility across all locations.
This level focuses on big-picture insights such as trends, execution gaps, customer sentiment, and system-wide opportunities.
Step 4: Some Information Is Routed Through Special Workflows
Clients occasionally run short-term or high-priority initiatives, such as:
-
“Question of the Week” programs
-
New product or service rollouts
-
Seasonal promotions
-
Employee recognition initiatives
-
Compliance-focused reviews
Information tied to these programs may be highlighted or routed separately because it is time-sensitive or especially important.
Why This Matters to You as an Independent Contractor
Understanding how information flows helps put your work into context.
Your report contributes to:
-
Clearer insights for business decision-makers
-
Better visibility into real customer experiences
-
Data that can influence staffing approaches, product focus, operational decisions, and recognition programs
You’re not reporting on a single moment — your work becomes part of a broader insight system that helps organizations improve how they serve customers.
Every Report You Submit Supports Better Customer Experiences
Whether you’re completing a performance audit, a competitive review, or a simple price check, your observations help companies understand the real customer journey.
You are a vital part of the customer experience ecosystem — and the information you provide supports meaningful improvements for both businesses and their customers.
Looking for more behind-the-scenes insight?
You may enjoy another look inside a customer experience research company:
Day in the Life of a Mystery Shopping Scheduler.
