What is Social Proof in eCommerce and how does it work?
While the term “social proof” is relatively modern, the concept has been around for centuries. There is no doubt that people are more likely to do it when they see that others have already done it. Social proof is a phenomenon that shows that people are more likely to act when they have seen others before. A simple example of this concept is checking Google or Yelp reviews before buying a bakery product, going to a local restaurant, shopping at a clothing store, etc. You may be hesitant to try that new place in town unless you know the work and the services are worth trying. So you do a quick Google search to see what other sites have to say before you spend your time and money check it out yourself.
What is social proof in eCommerce?
Social proof is a form of advertising where you see your customers voluntarily promoting your brand or product simply because they look like them.
This is especially true for luxury brands, as they are often more expensive and more exclusive. By giving your products away for free to people who already love them, you ensure that they spread your offering.
And this can be a very effective way to increase sales: when people see that others like your products, they may be more inclined to buy them themselves, especially when they see how much effort they put into them.
Different types of social proof in eCommerce:
Testimonial
When you’re trying to get people to trust your business, testimonials are a great way of getting them to do it. A testimonial is a third-party statement that comments on how good someone or something is. By strategically placing website testimonials on a dedicated Testimonials page, as well as on your About Us page, product pages, and more, you can convince interested users that you’re worth their trust.
Product Reviews
If you’re selling anything, you know how important it is to get product ratings and reviews. Appearing as 1 to 5-star ratings that also display the total number of reviews for the product. These ratings and reviews help with product research and purchase decisions, driving more qualified customers to your product pages. It’s one of the best ways to find out what your customers think about your products, and it helps you make better decisions about what to sell next.
Popup Widget
When you buy a product online, you expect to get what you pay for. This is why so many people rely on reviews by other customers of the same product, as well as ratings and comments from other users. If a person who has bought a product also reviews it and gives it an excellent rating, this will have a huge impact on the reputation of the company selling it. This can be done by simply showing reviews as a popup widget on your website.
Store Average
If you’re a business owner, you know the importance of store ratings. You want to make sure that your product or service is being received well by the people who use it, and you want to know if there’s anything that could be improved. It’s also useful for showing potential customers just how popular your business is and also it’s necessary to show store average ratings to build trust in your website visitors.
Store Review
When you’re in business, customer reviews are one of the most important things you can have. They’re vital to your reputation, and they’re a great way to find out what people think of your products and services. In fact, customer reviews are so important that almost all brands are now putting them on their own website—and that’s where it gets even more interesting If a person who has bought a product also reviews it and gives it an excellent rating, this will have a huge impact on the reputation of the brand selling it.
Conclusion
Social proof is one of the most powerful tools a company can use to increase sales.
It’s not just about what you say, but how you say it. In fact, the more shopping shifts from in-store to online, the more impactful social proof becomes. No matter where buyers are in their customer journey, social proof can help guide them along, from inspiration and consideration to purchase and even advocacy. Set the right balance of social proof to feature on your website and see your eCommerce sales soar! Try Rivyo Product Reviews & QA now!
