Скачать или смотреть Small Business Website | The importance of social proof

Trust is, without a doubt, one thing that all good relationships have in common.

Social proof can really help build trust with people who don't know you, and maybe visiting your website for the first time.

Adding social proof to your website and social media channels can help improve your reputation and contribute to the growth of your company.

If a website visitor isn’t sure about your product or service, they will often look around social channels to see what other people think about your business before they make a decision

There are many types of social proof you can build for your business. Here are a few.

Reviews

Potential customers naturally want to see what kind of experience others have had with your business.

Reviews can help build trust with new visitors, and they allow existing customers to show others their experience with your brand.

We suggest showing reviews, strategically throughout your website.

You should have a section on your homepage, highlighting some of the best or latest reviews, with a link or button to a review page.

This will encourage people who land on your home page to dig deeper into your site, and increase your chances of converting the visitor into a lead or a sale.

you’ll want to make it as easy as possible for customers to leave reviews directly on your site.

After you have fulfilled your service or a customer makes a purchase, send them an email and encourage them to leave feedback on your website, with a direct link to the page.

Another option to get feedback is to send a quick customer survey by email.

It’s easy to build a survey online via sites such as Survey Monkey.

Surveys allow you to engage with your customers, demonstrating how much you value their feedback and help build positive data you can display on your website.

Social follower count is also a form of social proof.

People feel safer taking action, when they see others already have.

Encourage customers to review your business on Facebook and Instagram because these social platforms have such a wide reach.

As well as building up your own followers, think about how many friends your followers have.

You’re indirectly connected with all those people and, if your customers comment and write reviews on your Facebook page, these will show up on the news feed of all their friends, which is great exposure.

Ensure your profile is active by engaging with your customers, liking their posts and responding to their comments.

Customer referral programmes

Customer referrals can generate social proof.

If a customer has had a good experience with your business, they will recommend you to their friends and family.

You can use incentives, like discounts or special offers to encourage existing customers to recommend your business.

Their friends and family are more likely to take that as social proof and follow up with your business if they are in need of the product or service.

Endorsements from highly credible people.

Social proof can be very effective when it comes from someone your audience trusts.

It could be through, reviewing your services on their website, or they could write an endorsement, you can display on your website's homepage.

If you have customers with high credibility, or if there’s a particular group of people that you frequently work with, – such as teachers, doctors or local business owners, – see if they’re willing to give your business an endorsement that you can display on your homepage.

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Customer case studies.

Storytelling is a brilliant way to engage and persuade, – and case studies are one of the most effective types of social proof, because they can tell the complete story of a customer’s journey.

For example, a case study could cover how a customer found you, what prompted them to do business with you, and what problems they had that needed solving.

It could explain how you helped them find the best solution, how happy they were with the service you provided, and what difference it’s made to them.

This is really compelling social proof for a prospect who is looking for your services.

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In the next short video, we will look at the importance of Social Media.

Social media for business is no longer optional. It's an essential way to reach your customers, gain valuable insights, and grow your brand.

Your homepage should have direct links to all your social media platforms, so website visitors can easily access your content.