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Social Proof 101: What is it, and why is it important for eCommerce?

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Social Proof 101: What is it, and why is it important for eCommerce? Friday, July 12, 2019 Sure, you’ve heard of social proof a million times — but are you clear on exactly how it works, or the different ways you can use it to step up your eCommerce marketing? In this introductory guide to social proof, we’ll unpack exactly what it is, why it works, and then we’ll share some insights from Trustpilot partner Best Response Media on why social proof like third party reviews can mean explosive growth for your eCommerce business. Social Proof 101: What is it, and why is it essential for eCommerce? So, what is social proof? According to Wikipedia, social proof (also known as informational social influence) is a “psychological and social phenomenon referring to people’s reliance on the feedback and actions of others to determine what is right and what is wrong in a given situation.” Social proof is a concept as old as marketing itself (just think about testim

Why and how social proof influences consumers

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Why and how social proof influences consumers When consumers think about buying a product or service, they don’t just consider ads, features, and benefits. They also strongly consider the social proof that reinforces those messages and claims. Social proof — reviews, social likes, online mentions, and testimonials for products, services, or brands — has a powerful psychological effect on customers. Because the feedback comes from other consumers, not the brand itself, the positive messaging surrounding a product or service can be perceived as more authentic and trustworthy. Consumers see social proof as an endorsement from their peers saying that the company, service, or product is great, and that the overall customer journey has satisfied previous shoppers. So when customers see trust signals — visual representations of social proof such as badges, ratings, reviews, and logos — it understandably elicits a strong influence on shopping behaviour. According to our re

More is better: Why review quantity matters for social proof

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                   Indeed, in a world filled with decisions to make, reviews help shoppers make the right decision. Customer feedback can help people make smarter choices, and helps online retailers stand out from the rest of the competition. In 2017, Moz attributed 13% of traffic value to online reviews (review quantity, review diversity, etc.), making customer feedback the 5th most important ranking factor. Today, we’re seeing indications that the quantity of online reviews can have a significant impact on conversions and consumer behavior. Retailers benefiting from consumer feedback could see even better results by increasing their review volume. Trustpilot encourages retailers to collect more reviews. While many businesses understand that the quality of their reviews is important, a lot of companies don’t realise that the number of reviews they get is just as powerful. Review quantity affects social proof, and your business’s reputat