The Power of Social Proof and Ecommerce Reviews

Gaining customer trust is paramount for driving sales in the ecommerce landscape. One of the most effective strategies to achieve this is using social proof and Ecommerce reviews. Research indicates that a staggering 97% of consumers base their purchasing decisions on online reviews; according to a study by Luisa Zhou Blog. This underscores the immense influence of social proof on consumer behavior.

Role of social proof

Social proof is a psychological phenomenon in which people confirm the actions of others, assuming they reflect the correct behavior. In eCommerce, social proof effectively influences purchasing decisions by endorsing products or services with reviews, ratings, testimonials, and more.

Ecommerce reviews for high sales

Consider this scenario: Are you more likely to buy a product rated 4.1 stars by 592 verified buyers or a similar product with a 2.9 rating? You'd likely opt for the first product. Why? The high ratings and numerous Ecommerce reviews validate your buying decision based on others' experiences. This validation, brought about by social proof, is a powerful tool for E-Commerce businesses.

Types of social proofs

There are several types of social proof that Ecommerce businesses can leverage:

Type #1: Reviews and ratings

Ecommerce Reviews and ratings are unfiltered opinions of customers about your product or service. They can be positive or negative, but they provide a realistic view of what customers think about your brand. According to Trustpulse, 49% of buyers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations from friends & family.

How to get reviews and ratings?

• Incentivize review sharing: Encourage customers to share their reviews by offering discounts, loyalty points, or exclusive deals.

• Ask for it: Include a note or a QR code inside the delivery package, kindly asking customers for a review.

• Post-purchase email: Send a post-purchase email to your customers, asking them for a review. This method makes the review submission process easier and more convenient.

Example: SHEIN

SHEIN, a leading fashion Ecommerce brand, integrates customer reviews into its loyalty program. Customers get rewarded with points for leaving reviews.

Pro Tip: Adding an interactive email review widget lets customers conveniently leave Ecommerce reviews without leaving their inboxes. This enhances user experience, increases engagement, and encourages more reviews, which can boost credibility and trust for the brand.

Type #2: Video testimonials

Video testimonials are a highly effective form of social proof. They show potential customers that other real people have had positive experiences with your product. According to Convertedin, 79% of customers prefer watching video testimonials to learn more about a company's products.

How to get video testimonials?

• VIP loyalty program: Create a VIP loyalty program and invite customers to share video reviews as part of the program.

• Email campaign: Send an email campaign to your customers, asking them to share video reviews of the last purchased item in exchange for high-value coupons or gifts.

• Offer incentives: Offer incentives like free shipping or discounts on the next purchase in exchange for video Ecommerce reviews.

Example: Winston

Winston, a brand featured on SharkTank India, uses video testimonials on its product page to explain the benefits of its hair straightening brushes.

Type #3: Social media shoutout

Social media shoutouts are a fantastic form of social proof. They reflect customers' positive experiences with your brand. According to TechTarget, 70% of online shoppers use social media to recommend the brands they purchase from.

How to get social media shoutouts?

• Create shareable moments: Make your packaging creative and add personalized notes or surprise gifts that customers would love to share on social media.

• Influencer collaboration: Collaborate with influencers and ask them to encourage their followers to share their experiences and feedback about your product on social media.

• Offer incentives: In your post-purchase emails, include a thank-you note and discount coupons to encourage customers to share their feedback on social media.

Example: Modesty

Modesty, a clothing store, designs its packages and thank-you notes in such an appealing way that customers love sharing them on social media.

Role of email

Emails play a crucial role in collecting Ecommerce reviews. A well-crafted email can remind and encourage customers to share their experiences and opinions about your products or services, providing you with valuable feedback.

Building ecommerce feedback email flows

An ecommerce feedback email flow is a series of emails triggered after a purchase, asking customers for feedback. This allows you to:

1. Understand the buyer's experience.

2. Gather customer’s opinions on the product.

3. Collect data to improve your product and brand.

Implementing email flows

1. Feedback email flow

A feedback email flow is a sequence of automated emails sent to customers after purchase. The primary objective of these emails is to gather feedback about the customer's experience with your product or service.

This flow typically consists of two main emails:

• Feedback request email: This is the initial email asking customers for feedback.

• Feedback redressal email: This follow-up email acknowledges the customer's feedback and outlines improvement plans.

Implementing this flow in your email marketing strategy can provide valuable insights into your business and help foster stronger customer relationships.

2. Post-purchase email flow

This sequence of emails is triggered once a customer completes a purchase and aims to enhance customer engagement, encourage repeat purchases, and solicit feedback.

The post-purchase email flow typically includes a series of emails such as order confirmation, shipping confirmation, delivery confirmation, and finally, the feedback request email. This feedback email is crucial as it enables businesses to gain insights directly from their customers and make necessary adjustments to their products or services.

Final verdict

Building and implementing an effective feedback email flow may seem daunting, but it can be straightforward with the right tools and approach. Platforms like Mailmodo offer pre-built automation that can be customized to fit your brand, making engaging with your customers and gathering their valuable feedback easier than ever.

Taking the time to understand and act on your customers' experiences can lead to improved product quality, enhanced customer loyalty, and, ultimately, the growth and success of your business. So, start creating your ecommerce feedback email flow today and unlock the valuable insights your customers have to offer.