In an ever-growing competitive environment, it might seem impossible to stand out from the crowd and catch the attention of your target audience.
As the market moves online, what is today’s secret to becoming a successful business?
That’s what all businesses really want, right? To be seen as a competent and trustworthy company that is adored by its loyal customer base. A business that is constantly attracting new customers and generating profit. A brand that everyone knows and talks about.
But how do you achieve this? How do you create and maintain a solid online reputation so that customers will see you in a positive light? Also, how do you attract more customers and increase your conversion rate in such an overcrowded market?
The answer lies in your customer’s voice.
What Is Social Proof and Why Is It Valuable?
The term Social Proof was coined by Robert Cialdini in his 1984 book Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion. He explains that social proof is a social and psychological phenomenon where people copy the actions of others for behavioural guidance in a given situation. Indeed, when feeling uncertain, our first instinct is to find answers from what others are doing and saying.
For instance, let’s say you’re walking around looking to grab a bite and see a restaurant full of people. Your first thought will be “well, it must be packed for a reason.” Likewise, if you pass an empty restaurant, you might think the food or service is not very good as no one is dining there. People follow people, that’s our nature, and that’s why marketers have been using this social phenomenon to become more visible and attract their target audience.
There are different types of social proof. Some of these include case studies, trust icons, social media posts, expert advice, celebrity testimonials and recommendations from friends and family.
However, today one of the most effective and popular types of social proof is customer reviews and online feedback.
Why? Because people trust reviews as much as personal recommendations and over 93% of consumers will read reviews before making a purchase.
Consumers want proof that they are making the right choice, and what better way to find out than by reading what other customers are saying about a brand!
Indeed, online feedback is so valuable to buyers that it can increase a company’s conversion rate by 270%. It’s really no surprise most businesses are advertising this type of social proof on their website and other channels.
We’ve established that social proof is vital for your business’s success. Now, the real question is, how do you get this feedback, and how can you use it to effectively attract more customers and generate more sales?
Customer Reviews: The Solution
A website is incredibly important for your business. It establishes who you are, what you do and differentiates you from your competitors. Having an online presence also helps reach a larger target audience and increase your conversion rate.
We’ve discussed how vital social proof in the form of reviews is and the benefits that can be gained by using it to your advantage. Thus, integrating your best customer feedback on your website can be great for marketing your brand.
Firstly, showcasing reviews on your website can build trust and credibility as consumers rely on product reviews to get an insight into your reputation and past customer satisfaction. Through this, consumer confidence increases, leading to more interest and sales. Also, by seeing reviews on your website, customers will be more inclined to leave a review themselves, strengthening your company’s social proof.
Significant benefits come with displaying customer reviews on your official site so, be sure to utilize this in your marketing efforts.
Showcase Reviews on Social Media
Today, over 4 billion people around the world use social media, and this number is growing every year. Not surprisingly, having a social media presence has become essential for a business’ marketing strategy. Being on these channels can increase brand awareness, create trust and encourage engagement, whether through likes and comments or by purchasing from your company.
Social media helps you reach an ever-growing online community and become more visible to those you wish to serve. That’s why it’s vital to make a great first impression. Product reviews can strengthen your brand’s authenticity, even on social media. So, make sure to promote your best online customer testimonials on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other channels.
Find a Review Platform That Fits Your Company’s Needs
Are you finding it hard to collect customer feedback and use it within your marketing strategy? If so, don’t worry. Review platforms exist to make this task easy for you so that you can focus on other important aspects of your business. With these platforms, you can gain constant reviews and even verified reviews. The latter shows your potential customers that the reviewer has purchased from your brand, increasing trust and credibility.
What’s more is that review platforms can help you gain insight into your customers’ thoughts and opinions, getting an understanding of what you’re doing well and what needs improvement.
Also, appearing within a review website makes it easy for potential customers to find all your reviews in one place, saving them precious time to decide whether they want to purchase from your brand.
However, not all review platforms are the same, so be sure to find the right company that offers the right tools to help you achieve your business goals.
Start Using Social Proof to Your Advantage
Social proof can be extremely beneficial for your business. Online reviews will help you grow your customer base, increase sales and build a positive online reputation. In turn, you’ll stand out from your competition and be recognized as a credible and competent business.
Psydro can help you to effortlessly gain this valuable type of social proof.
Get started today with our free Launch plan to get a taste of what we have to offer or, contact us if you would like to book a demo to find out more about how your business can benefit from our different features.