Social proof, also known as informational social influence, is a psychological phenomenon where people assume the actions of others reflect correct behaviour for a given situation. Basically this means that in our online world, when we want to buy something we’re unfamiliar with then we are likely to search for other people’s opinions before we feel confident in a particular product or service.
Using social proof on your business website is a great way to help build up your target market’s trust in your product or service. All you need to do is point people towards content that makes them feel comfortable about doing business with you. Here’s how…
4 ways to use social proof on your business website
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User-generated Content
One of the simplest ways to use social proof on your website is to post regular blogs that include a comments section after each of your posts. Comments show that people are taking notice of what you have to say and care enough to want to write a reply. Also link your website through to all your social media sites and encourage people to upload videos, selfies and other pics. Great brand exposure and a healthy dose of social proof have to be good for business.
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Encourage Customer Reviews
Customers and prospects alike will feel inspired by a business that is willing to put themselves out there and encourage feedback for all to see. Online reviews and ratings are perfect for giving consumers the confidence to purchase something they’ve only seen on your website. If you want to build brand credibility then encouraging customer reviews on your website is a good way to go.
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Showcase Popular Products
If a potential customer is not quite certain what they want to buy then it has become an online habit to check out what others are purchasing. By using your website to show what other people are buying not only gives site visitors’ confidence to do the same, but also exposes them to other products that they may not otherwise have considered. Take a look at Amazon to see this type of social proof done well.
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Create a Sense of Urgency
There’s nothing like making people panic into a buying frenzy, so look for ways to create a sense of urgency when it comes to getting people to make a purchase or sign-up for your latest offer. Take a look at Booking.com to see this put effectively into action. It shows you in real time when the last booking was and how many people are looking at a particular hotel, enticing others to get on board too.
For a website that gets results for your business, speak to the web & digital team at your local Kwik Kopy today.
