Grow Your Small Business With Social Proof
What is Social Proof?
Social proof, in terms of marketing, provides credible evidence that others have purchased and found value in your product or service. Social proof has a major impact on purchasing decisions.
When customers see that others are buying a product or service, they will be more likely to make the purchase themselves; a phenomenon commonly known as the ‘bandwagon effect’.
Social proof appears in many forms across the Internet, including positive testimonials from current customers, product reviews, and more. These marketing techniques help build trust and value in your company, and can also boost lead generation.
How Does Social Proof Work?
Social proof is a marketing approach that can help small businesses in a variety of ways. The most basic motivating force behind social proof is the bandwagon effect, the social phenomenon in which people base their decision making on what others are doing around them.
For example, while shopping online and deciding between two products, a customer is more likely to choose one with a five star rating based on actual customer reviews rather than one with a lower star rating. This means a major benefit of using social proof is that it can help establish a sense of trust in your company.
One of the best ways to overcome customer reluctance is to show social proof. Potential customers begin to trust your business more when they see that so many other people are pleased with the products or services you provide.
Social proof in online marketing is also used to portray authority. For instance, one person may find a testimonial from an expert more persuasive than 100 reviews from average customers, or vice versa. Displaying the logos of big name customers could be another way of providing social proof with a weight of authority. If many large, well-respected companies are using a product or service, it will most likely be an effective one.
Increasing conversions with social proof
Social proof is a powerful psychological tool that can be implemented across your website, blog, and the rest of your online presence to increase conversions. Leveraging social proof on your key landing pages can help funnel potential customers through your sales process.
These are just a few examples of how we can see social proof being used in everyday life. To show social proof in your online presence, it’s important to understand which type is most appropriate for your industry. Online stores might display the number of purchases or allow customer reviews, for example, while a B2B organization might display a list of their customers or big name endorsements.
Social proof is one of the best ways to quickly reach a new audience online. We’ll help you navigate the world of social media marketing, implementing a plan to turn your website visitors into new lifelong customers.