In today’s rapidly evolving age, digital consumers have more choices than ever before.
As a result, they rely heavily on customer reviews and testimonials when making purchasing decisions.
According to Tyler Franko, CEO of Australian marketing firm Dynamic Code, current research shows that 93% of consumers read online reviews before buying a product or service, and 84% trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. This means that customer reviews and testimonials can have a significant impact on website sales.
To boost sales it is then important to have a sense of credibility by having testimonials and reviews which gauge the customer experience of using the product or service. Here are some tips from marketing expert and CEO Tyler Franko:
Build Trust and Credibility
Customer reviews and testimonials can help build trust and credibility with potential customers.
Franko shared that when a website features authentic reviews from real customers, it can help demonstrate that the business is trustworthy and reliable. Reviews can help alleviate any concerns or doubts a potential customer may have, leading to an increase in sales.
Provide Social Proof
Social proof is the concept that people are more likely to follow the actions of others if they see them as credible and trustworthy.
Most importantly, the Dynamic Code CEO stressed that customer reviews and testimonials provide social proof that a product or service is of high quality and worth buying. When potential customers see positive reviews from other customers, it can influence their decision to make a purchase.
Improve SEO
Customer reviews and testimonials can also help improve a website’s search engine optimization (SEO). Reviews provide fresh, user-generated content that can help boost a website’s search engine ranking.
In addition, Franko emphasized the presence of reviews can help a website appear in search results for long-tail keywords, increasing the website’s visibility and driving more traffic.
Increase Conversions
Ultimately, the goal of any business is to increase sales. Customer reviews and testimonials can help increase conversions by providing potential customers with the information they need to make an informed decision.
Reviews can answer questions potential customers may have about a product or service and provide valuable insight into the user experience. This can lead to an increase in conversions and ultimately, more sales.
Tips for Maximizing the Impact of Customer Reviews and Testimonials
To maximize the impact of customer reviews and testimonials on website sales, businesses should:
- Encourage customers to leave reviews by making the process easy and straightforward. This can be done by sending follow-up emails after a purchase or including a link to a review site in order confirmation emails.
- Highlight positive reviews on the website by featuring them prominently on the product or service page.
- Respond to negative reviews in a timely and professional manner. This shows potential customers that the business takes customer feedback seriously and is committed to addressing any issues.
- Use customer testimonials in marketing materials such as social media posts, email campaigns, and advertisements to further increase their reach and impact.
As a final note, customer reviews and testimonials can have a significant impact on website sales.
By building trust and credibility, providing social proof, improving SEO, and increasing conversions, businesses can leverage customer reviews and testimonials to drive more sales and grow their business.