Imagine scrolling your phone for hours to find the perfect brand-new dining table for your dream home. While you have already shortlisted the desired options that seem just right, one of them displays 200 reviews with a 4.6-star rating, the other one holds merely 3 stars and has about 60 reviews, and there’s a third one with no reviews at all. Which one would you instinctively pick? Won’t you be drawn towards the one dining table that over 200 happy customers verify? This is the secret sauce e-commerce businesses use to boost sales while harnessing the power-packed dynamics of social proofing through reviews and testimonials.
“Social Proof” and “Proof Marketing” are the talk of town buzzing across the digital marketing niche. This ultimate e-commerce hack has much more to offer while picking on some top-notch e-commerce business sale strategies. Through this blog let’s leverage the power of social proof to kickstart ecommerce sales like never before.
Decoding the Term “Social Proof”
The phrase “social proof”, initially appeared in Robert Cialdini’s book “Influence” in 1984.
Ever wondered why you suddenly crave a blueberry cheesecake after seeing everyone on your Instafam posting about it? That’s the power of social proof and proof marketing. It’s an irresistible urge to join the bandwagon and feel like being one of them!
The trending hike in social media influencers and e-commerce businesses is a classic example of social proof.
A Key to Boosting E-commerce Sales: The Crucial Role of Proof Marketing
If you’re looking to boost your ecommerce sales, here are some mind-blowing facts you cannot afford to miss, know everything about the power of social proof and proof marketing.
Recent surveys and studies have shown the undeniable power of social proof and proof marketing for driving e-commerce sales. For instance, a ‘Bright Local’ survey found that 91% of consumers between the ages of 18 and 34 consider online reviews just as trustworthy as personal recommendations.
Another study by Spiegel Research Center revealed that displaying reviews on a product page can increase conversion rates by up to a whopping 270%. Reviews and testimonials often trick a human’s brain into building the perception of value and desirability towards the product or service. Despite brands’ indulgence in several paid promotions, it is inevitable for the end users to trust reviews and testimonials more as after all, they are ‘organic’.
Social proof is the stepping stone to building trust and credibility amongst your target group, and the numbers won’t lie. From customer reviews to influencer marketing, there are tons of ways to leverage the power of social proof and drive more sales.
Rev Up eCommerce Sales with These Top 4 Strategies and Harness the Power of Reviews and Testimonials!
These proven tactics will help you skyrocket your credibility and attract more customers to your online store. If you’re ready to take your e-commerce game to the next level, read on and discover the secrets of using social proof to drive more sales!
Displaying Customer Reviews Prominently on the Product Page
Picture this: You’re trying to decide on buying a new gadget. You’re not quite sure if it’s worth the money, but then you see a glowing review from someone who sounds just like you. Suddenly, you get this surge of confidence, “If this random stranger thinks the product is awesome, maybe it is”!
That’s the magic of social proof. By tapping into the power of customer reviews, you can turn hesitant browsers into happy buyers in no time! When potential customers see positive reviews from other customers, they are more likely to trust the product and make a purchase.
Showcasing User-generated Content on eCommerce Website
In addition to reviews and testimonials, e-commerce businesses can also leverage other types of user-generated content on their website. This can include customers’ photos and videos of the product, embedded social media posts, and even product demos or tutorials created by customers.
There are instances where brands engage their audience by mentioning a branded hashtag and tagging content influencers who often indulge in promoting the product or service across their social handles. These stories are again true and organic and create a larger impact on building credibility amongst the end users.
Highlighting Social Proof During Checkout
Highlighting social proof during the checkout process can be an effective way to increase e-commerce sales. ‘Only 7 left or 2000 customers have already purchased it or 25 people are looking at this product’, does this ring a bell? Displaying the number of people who have purchased the product can generate a sense of urgency and make the customer feel like they are part of a larger community, satisfied customers.
Displaying customer reviews and ratings during the checkout process can also help to establish trust and credibility with the customer. Seeing positive feedback from other customers can help alleviate any concerns or reservations the customer may have about the product.
Leveraging the Power of Social Proof in Paid Advertising Campaigns
Including social proof in paid advertising efforts can be an effective way to increase e-commerce sales. Including customer reviews in ad copy can help prospective customers gain confidence and credibility.
Retargeting ads can be used to display advertisements to individuals who have previously visited the e-commerce website or added products to their cart but did not complete a purchase. Using social proof in these retargeting ads, e-commerce businesses can remind prospective customers of other customers’ positive experiences with the product, increasing the probability of a purchase.
Using reviews and testimonials can be an effective way to increase trust and credibility among prospective customers and, as a result, businesses generate more ecommerce sales. E-commerce businesses can create a more engaging buying experience for their customers by encouraging customers to leave reviews, responding to feedback, and making use of user-generated content on their websites.
Bhavya Shah
Bhavya Shah is a Business Analyst at iCreative Technologies. He specializes in the eCommerce consulting for all business domains. He is working hand-in-hand with developers and clients to produce requirements and specifications that accurately reflect business needs and are technologically achievable.
