Favorable word of mouth is the gold standard for any business. “Hey, this brand can be trusted,” means you’re giving a company your seal of approval. This is why online reviews are the bread and butter of eCommerce stores.
Yet, many online stores fail to leverage their online reviews. According to a consumer review survey, about 43% of consumers regularly read online reviews when browsing for products or services. Most respondents (98%) surveyed say they read online reviews occasionally.
Case Study
When JanSport released its Adaptive Collection in collaboration with Disability:IN, the campaign was applauded for designing bags for people with limited dexterity.
The backpack maker displayed how heritage brands can successfully incorporate accessible design into the mainstream, reported Fast Company.
The initiative went further and JanSport used product sampling to generate customer reviews and boost sales. Partnering with PowerReviews, the brand wanted to market the product to the right audience.
The campaign achieved a 90.2% review completion rate, surpassing the 85% industry average, with a 4.7-star average rating. That’s an impressive achievement for any company.
Now you see the need for capitalizing on your online reviews to convert to physical sales? We’ll explain below why reviews are the hidden catalysts for eCommerce success.
Credibility
Consumers want to know their voices are being heard. The second you engage them, you’re telling them their opinion counts.
Whether faced with a scathing or positive review, always respond with kindness. It builds a relationship with your online community. Based on your responses, others will be encouraged to interact with your product.
Your brand credibility is built on the facts and opinions of others. Remember that when hitting the “reply” button.
Don’t belittle your customers by thinking they’ll take your product descriptions at face value. Every online business needs product reviews to build credibility with new and returning customers.
User-Friendly Interface
Nothing is more frustrating than visiting an online store and the navigation is as archaic as dial-up internet.
Hocoos suggests implementing an AI website builder that streamlines the process of collecting reviews. Ensuring a user-friendly experience makes leaving feedback a breeze for customers.
This is why you shouldn’t underestimate the power of AI website builders. Leveraging AI, these tools can create AI-designed business websites within hours.
From AI logo generators to AI image editors and AI website content generators, there’s no need to leave it to professionals to get the job done.
A well-designed website can encourage reviews via email, while social media helps gather more valuable customer feedback.
Incentives
Offering incentives is a great way to make your business more visible, especially when starting.
Encourage your customers by giving rewards or perks in exchange for feedback. Examples are discounts on future purchases, gift cards, or rewards points.
Brand marketing company RaveCapture recommends embedding incentives into multiple channels like email and social media. However, it warns not to come across as being too pushy.
Phrase it clearly and without ambiguity like, “Leave a review and get 10% off your next order!”
Converting Reviews into Sales
And here you thought it would be an easy task to convert your online reviews into sales.
The above advice forms the foundation of your success story. However, there’s more to the plan.
Ensure your eCommerce store runs efficiently and make it easy for customers to leave online reviews. Good website creation can be achieved with a professional AI-designed business.
AI-powered tools allow you the freedom to customize individual website elements. You can access a customer support team and a free custom domain name.
The best part? You can do it without website building experience.
If you’ve recently started your business, incentivize online reviews by offering discounts or rewards points to develop a strong online presence.
Make Every Review Count
A few more suggestions: Claim and optimize your review profiles. Showcase reviews in-store and online. Use your reviews as social proof, and leverage negative feedback for improvement.
Don’t forget to list your business on relevant review platforms such as Google My Business, Yelp, Facebook, and TripAdvisor.
Always acknowledge and thank customers when receiving feedback, whether good or bad. Apologize for issues that may arise and offer solutions. Let them know you value their feedback.
Lastly, your customers are the reason you’ve gotten this far. Without them, you might as well close shop. Remember this if the journey becomes overwhelming and fraught with doubt.
Don’t give up that easily. Remain consistent, and push your product every chance you get. Now go out there and convert reviews into revenue!
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