It's no secret that word of mouth is powerful. Hearing a friend's first-hand account of a shopping experience or their satisfaction with a product resonates with us in a unique way.
Online reviews, star ratings, and testimonials are also word of mouth, in a form that can have a huge impact on your business. A 2021 digital.com survey in the US showed that 88% of online shoppers read atleast three reviews before purchase.
Here are a few places to integrate positive reviews and have them reach further than traditional word of mouth ever could.
- On your website
- In your social media posts
- Online ads
- Placed within direct mail campaigns
- Radio ads and print collateral
- Trade show material
- Outdoor marketing such as billboards
That’s far from a complete list. Consider including reviews in sales presentations, case studies, or in-store product displays. View positive customer feedback as a valuable marketing tool, and be on the lookout for effective ways to put that powerful word of mouth to work.
An important note: It goes without saying that anything positioned as a review must be authentic. It should also be unedited and from an unbiased source. Never include a person’s profile photo without permission. Furthermore, platforms may have their own requirements for using reviews from their spaces. For example, Google’s user review guidelines require getting permission from the reviewer.
