Developing a Successful Social Proof Strategy for Your Ecommerce Site

Ever feel like your eCommerce store could convert more visitors into loyal customers? It might be time to tap into the power of social proof marketing.

Did you know that 92% of shoppers trust recommendations from people they know, and 70% trust customer reviews? (Source: Nielsen)

How to Acquire Social Proof

Acquiring social proof is an ongoing process that involves engaging with your existing customers and using technology to boost trust and credibility. Here are some effective ways to gather social proof for your store:

1. Leverage Customer Engagement

• Contact recent buyers and ask them to rate and review their purchase experience. Fresh, relevant reviews help your site build credibility.
• Encourage User-Generated Content (UGC): Ask customers to share photos, videos, or testimonials. This not only boosts trust but also gives you authentic content to use.

2. Incentivize Social Proof Through Rewards

• Use your rewards system to encourage customers to leave reviews or share their experiences. For example, offer points, discounts, or special perks for feedback.
• Give time-limited deals or product access to customers who leave a review, creating a reason for them to participate.

3. Utilize Social Proof Apps

• Consider using apps that seamlessly integrate with your eCommerce platform to automatically collect reviews and ratings.

4. Encourage Reviews on Multiple Platforms

• Guide customers to review your products on Facebook, Google, or other social platforms where your target audience is active.

5. Tap into Influencer or Expert Endorsements

• Reach Out to Influencers: If your brand is just starting out, sending free products to influencers or celebrities in your niche can help you quickly gain social proof.
• Leverage Expert Opinions: Expert endorsements or reviews can really elevate your brand's credibility, especially in specialized markets.

6. Encourage Reviews via Post-Purchase Emails

• After a purchase, send customers an email requesting a review. Make it easy for them by including a link to the product page where they can leave feedback.

How to Use Social Proof on Your Website

Once you’ve gathered social proof, it’s important to display it in the right places to maximize its effectiveness. Here’s where to showcase it on your eCommerce site:

?? Product Pages

• Ratings & Reviews: Display product ratings and reviews prominently on product pages, right under the product description. Verified Buyer tags help build trust.
• User-Generated Content (UGC): Feature customer photos or videos of your product in use. This boosts authenticity and helps potential buyers visualize how the product fits into their lives.
• Recent Purchases & User Activity: Display recent purchases or the number of people currently viewing a product to create a sense of urgency, such as “5 people bought this in the last hour!”

?? Homepage

• Press Mentions & Awards: Place any press mentions, certifications, or awards near the top of your homepage, or in a banner for instant credibility.
• Customer Milestones: Showcase customer milestones, like “100,000 satisfied customers” or “Join 50 others shopping this item now.”

?? Checkout Page

• Social Proof Pop-Ups: Use pop-ups or sidebars to display recent purchases or show that other users are browsing a specific product.
• Customer Testimonials: Feature a few short customer testimonials or a review summary on the checkout page to reassure visitors they’re making the right decision.

?? Landing Pages

• Influencer & Expert Endorsements: Place influencer or expert endorsements strategically on landing pages to validate your brand. Ensure their logos or names are visible, either before or after your call to action.

Social proof is a powerful tool that can significantly boost your eCommerce conversions. By acquiring and strategically displaying social proof on your website, you’ll build trust, encourage action, and foster a loyal customer base. Whether it’s through customer reviews, influencer endorsements, or press mentions, make sure to position these elements where they’ll be most visible and impactful.

Happy selling!