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The impact of customer reviews on landing page conversion

November 17, 2023 | Jimit Mehta

As a consumer, have you ever found yourself scrolling through product pages, trying to decide whether to make a purchase or not? Maybe you weren't quite sure if the product would live up to your expectations, or if the website was trustworthy. In these situations, customer reviews can be a game-changer. They provide valuable insights into the product, the buying experience, and the company itself. But have you ever stopped to think about the impact of these reviews on the company's landing page conversion rate? In this article, we'll dive into the world of customer reviews and explore just how much they can affect the success of a landing page. From the psychology behind why we trust reviews to real-life examples of companies benefiting from positive feedback, we'll explore everything you need to know about the impact of customer reviews on landing page conversion.

The psychology behind why we trust customer reviews

As human beings, we rely heavily on the opinions and experiences of others when making decisions. This is especially true when it comes to purchasing products or services online, where we don't have the luxury of seeing or experiencing the item firsthand. In these situations, customer reviews can be a powerful tool for building trust and credibility.

The psychology behind why we trust customer reviews can be explained by a few key factors. First, social proof plays a big role in our decision-making. We tend to look to others for guidance on what is considered acceptable or desirable behavior, and this extends to our purchasing habits. When we see that other people have had positive experiences with a product or service, we are more likely to trust that we will have a positive experience as well.

Another factor is the concept of cognitive ease. Our brains are wired to conserve energy, so we prefer to take mental shortcuts whenever possible. When we see that a product has a high rating or a large number of positive reviews, it's easy for our brains to process this information and make a quick decision based on it. It requires less mental effort than reading through detailed product descriptions or conducting extensive research.

Finally, we are more likely to trust customer reviews when they come from a diverse range of sources. If we see that a product has a large number of positive reviews from people with different backgrounds and experiences, we are more likely to trust that the product is high quality and will meet our needs.

All of these factors contribute to why we trust customer reviews and why they can have such a significant impact on landing page conversion rates. By leveraging the power of social proof and making it easy for customers to leave reviews, businesses can build trust and credibility with potential customers and increase the likelihood of converting them into paying customers.

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How customer reviews affect our buying decisions

Have you ever scrolled through online reviews before making a purchase? If so, you're not alone. In fact, customer reviews have become an essential part of the buying process for many consumers. But just how do these reviews affect our buying decisions?

First and foremost, customer reviews provide us with valuable information about a product or service. They allow us to learn about the experiences of other customers who have already made the purchase, which can help us anticipate any potential issues or drawbacks. This information can be especially useful when we're considering a high-priced or complex product, like a new laptop or a car.

Customer reviews also help us feel more confident in our decision-making. When we see that others have had positive experiences with a product, it can help alleviate any concerns or doubts we may have had. In this way, customer reviews can provide a sense of social validation, reinforcing our belief that we are making a smart choice.

On the flip side, negative reviews can have a significant impact on our buying decisions as well. When we see a large number of negative reviews or specific issues that are consistently mentioned, it can deter us from making the purchase altogether. Negative reviews can also lead us to question the trustworthiness of the company, which can damage the company's reputation and hurt future sales.

Overall, customer reviews play a crucial role in how we make purchasing decisions. By providing us with valuable information, building our confidence, and giving us a sense of social validation, they can have a significant impact on whether or not we decide to make a purchase. As such, businesses should take customer reviews seriously and make an effort to cultivate positive reviews while addressing any negative feedback.

The impact of customer reviews on landing page conversion rates

When it comes to e-commerce, landing page conversion rates are a critical metric for success. The landing page is often the first impression that potential customers have of a business, and the conversion rate measures the percentage of visitors who take a desired action, such as making a purchase or filling out a form. One factor that can have a significant impact on landing page conversion rates is customer reviews.

Research has shown that customer reviews can have a positive impact on landing page conversion rates. In fact, a study by Spiegel Research Center found that displaying reviews can increase conversion rates by up to 270%. This is because customer reviews provide social proof, or evidence that others have found the product or service valuable. Social proof can be a powerful motivator for consumers, as it helps build trust and credibility with the company.

However, it's not just the presence of reviews that matters - the quality and quantity of reviews can also impact conversion rates. A study by BrightLocal found that consumers read an average of 10 reviews before feeling able to trust a business, and that 85% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. This means that having a high number of positive reviews can help build trust and credibility with potential customers, while negative reviews or a lack of reviews can lead to skepticism or doubt.

Additionally, the way that reviews are displayed on the landing page can also impact conversion rates. For example, displaying star ratings prominently or including reviews in the product description can help make them more visible and encourage customers to read them. In contrast, burying reviews at the bottom of the page or making them difficult to find can decrease their impact on conversion rates.

Overall, customer reviews can have a significant impact on landing page conversion rates. By providing social proof, building trust and credibility, and influencing purchasing decisions, customer reviews can help businesses increase their conversion rates and improve their bottom line.

The role of social proof in online marketing

In the world of online marketing, the concept of social proof has become increasingly important. Social proof refers to the psychological phenomenon where people look to the actions and opinions of others to guide their own behavior. In the context of online marketing, this means that people are more likely to make a purchase or take a desired action if they see evidence that others have done so as well.

One common example of social proof in online marketing is customer reviews. When a potential customer sees positive reviews from other customers, it can provide a sense of validation and help build trust in the company or product. This, in turn, can increase the likelihood that the customer will make a purchase.

Another example of social proof is the use of social media influencers. By partnering with influencers who have a large following on social media, businesses can tap into the influence of these individuals to reach new customers and build credibility. When an influencer promotes a product, their followers are more likely to view it positively and consider making a purchase themselves.

Social proof can also be seen in the use of testimonials or case studies. By highlighting the positive experiences of past customers, businesses can demonstrate the value of their products or services and help potential customers feel more confident in their decision-making.

Overall, social proof plays a critical role in online marketing by helping to build trust, credibility, and confidence in a company or product. By leveraging the power of social proof through customer reviews, influencer partnerships, and testimonials, businesses can improve their conversion rates and achieve greater success in the digital marketplace.

Strategies for incorporating customer reviews on landing pages

Incorporating customer reviews on landing pages can be an effective way to improve conversion rates and build trust with potential customers. However, simply adding reviews to a landing page is not enough - it's important to use effective strategies to ensure that reviews are prominently displayed and presented in a way that encourages visitors to take action. Here are some strategies for incorporating customer reviews on landing pages:

  1. Display reviews prominently: Reviews should be displayed prominently on the landing page, ideally above the fold so that visitors can see them without having to scroll down. This helps to ensure that reviews are immediately visible and can grab the visitor's attention.

  2. Use star ratings: Including star ratings alongside customer reviews can help to make them more eye-catching and can provide a quick and easy way for visitors to assess the overall quality of the product or service.

  3. Use visual cues: Using visual cues such as icons or symbols to indicate positive reviews can help to draw attention to the most positive feedback and can help to reinforce the positive impression that visitors have of the product or service.

  4. Respond to reviews: Responding to customer reviews, particularly negative reviews, can help to demonstrate that the company is responsive and cares about customer satisfaction. This can help to build trust and credibility with potential customers.

  5. Use review snippets: Including short snippets or quotes from reviews can help to highlight the most positive feedback and can help to make reviews more digestible and easier to read.

  6. Provide options for filtering reviews: Providing options for visitors to filter reviews based on criteria such as date, rating, or relevance can help to ensure that visitors are able to find the most relevant and helpful reviews for their needs.

By using these strategies to incorporate customer reviews on landing pages, businesses can increase the likelihood that visitors will take action and make a purchase or engage with the company in some other way. Additionally, using customer reviews in this way can help to build trust and credibility with potential customers, which can be critical in the highly competitive world of e-commerce.

The dos and don'ts of displaying customer reviews

Displaying customer reviews can be a powerful tool for building trust with potential customers and increasing conversion rates. However, it's important to be thoughtful and intentional about how reviews are displayed in order to ensure that they have the desired impact. Here are some dos and don'ts for displaying customer reviews:

Dos:

  1. Do display a variety of reviews: Including a range of reviews, both positive and negative, can help to provide a more balanced view of the product or service and can help to build credibility with visitors.

  2. Do include the customer's name and location: Including the name and location of the customer who left the review can help to make the review feel more authentic and can help to build trust with potential customers.

  3. Do use a mix of review formats: Including a mix of written reviews, star ratings, and visual cues such as icons or symbols can help to make reviews more eye-catching and engaging.

  4. Do respond to reviews: Responding to reviews, particularly negative reviews, can help to demonstrate that the company cares about customer satisfaction and can help to build trust and credibility with potential customers.

  5. Do update reviews regularly: Keeping reviews up-to-date can help to ensure that visitors are seeing the most current and relevant feedback.

Don'ts:

  1. Don't only display positive reviews: While it can be tempting to only display positive reviews, doing so can actually undermine trust with potential customers. Including a range of reviews, both positive and negative, can help to demonstrate that the reviews are authentic and can help to build credibility with visitors.

  2. Don't edit reviews for content: Editing reviews for content can undermine the authenticity of the reviews and can lead to distrust among potential customers. Reviews should be displayed as they were written by the customer.

  3. Don't hide negative reviews: Hiding negative reviews can create a sense of distrust and can make potential customers feel like they are not getting the full picture. Including negative reviews alongside positive reviews can actually help to build credibility and trust with visitors.

  4. Don't overuse review snippets: While using short snippets or quotes from reviews can be effective, overusing this tactic can make reviews feel disjointed and can make it difficult for visitors to get a sense of the overall feedback.

By following these dos and don'ts for displaying customer reviews, businesses can ensure that they are using reviews in a way that builds trust and credibility with potential customers and helps to increase conversion rates.

Real-life examples of companies benefiting from customer reviews

Customer reviews can have a powerful impact on a company's success, both online and offline. Here are a few real-life examples of companies that have benefited from customer reviews:

  1. Amazon: Amazon is one of the most well-known examples of a company that has benefited from customer reviews. The company has built its reputation on providing a wide range of products at competitive prices, but it's the customer reviews that really set Amazon apart. By allowing customers to leave detailed reviews of products, Amazon has created a community of shoppers who trust each other and are willing to share their experiences. This has helped to build trust with potential customers and has helped to drive sales for the company.

  2. Airbnb: Airbnb is another company that has benefited greatly from customer reviews. By allowing guests to leave reviews of the properties they have stayed in, Airbnb has been able to build trust with potential renters and has been able to establish itself as a credible alternative to traditional hotels. The company's success is due in large part to the trust that it has been able to build through its review system.

  3. Yelp: Yelp is a platform that allows users to leave reviews of businesses such as restaurants, bars, and other local services. By providing a platform for customers to share their experiences, Yelp has become a go-to resource for people looking for recommendations on where to eat, drink, and shop. Businesses that receive positive reviews on Yelp are often able to see a significant increase in foot traffic and sales.

  4. Warby Parker: Warby Parker is an online eyeglasses retailer that has used customer reviews to build trust with potential customers. By allowing customers to try on glasses at home and leave reviews of the products they have tried, Warby Parker has been able to establish itself as a credible alternative to traditional brick-and-mortar retailers. The company's success is due in large part to the trust that it has been able to build through its review system.

These are just a few examples of companies that have been able to benefit from customer reviews. By leveraging the power of customer feedback, businesses can build trust with potential customers and establish themselves as credible and trustworthy providers of products and services.

How to encourage customers to leave reviews

As a business owner, you understand the importance of customer reviews. Positive reviews can help to build trust with potential customers and can help to drive sales, while negative reviews can have the opposite effect. But how do you encourage your customers to leave reviews? Here are a few tips:

  1. Ask for reviews: The simplest way to encourage customers to leave reviews is to ask them. Include a message on your website, in your email communications, or on your receipts asking customers to leave a review. Be sure to include a link to the review platform of your choice to make it as easy as possible for them to leave a review.

  2. Offer an incentive: Another way to encourage customers to leave reviews is to offer an incentive. This could be a discount on their next purchase, a free gift, or entry into a prize draw. Make sure the incentive is relevant and valuable to your customers.

  3. Make it easy: Don't make your customers jump through hoops to leave a review. Make the process as easy as possible by including a direct link to your review platform, or by using a review platform that is integrated with your website.

  4. Follow up: If a customer has made a purchase, send a follow-up email a few days later asking them to leave a review. Be sure to include a direct link to the review platform to make it as easy as possible for them.

  5. Provide exceptional service: The best way to encourage customers to leave positive reviews is to provide exceptional service. When customers have a great experience with your business, they are more likely to leave a positive review without any prompting.

Encouraging customers to leave reviews can be a challenge, but it's worth the effort. By using these tips, you can build up a bank of positive reviews that can help to build trust with potential customers and drive sales for your business.

The importance of responding to customer reviews

Customer reviews can be a powerful tool for businesses, helping to build trust with potential customers and driving sales. But customer reviews are a two-way street, and it's important for businesses to respond to customer reviews, both positive and negative. Here's why:

  1. Show that you care: When you respond to customer reviews, you show that you care about your customers and that you value their feedback. This can help to build trust with potential customers and can encourage customers to continue doing business with you.

  2. Address concerns: When you respond to negative reviews, you have an opportunity to address any concerns that the customer may have. This can help to resolve the issue and may even turn the negative review into a positive one.

  3. Thank customers: When you respond to positive reviews, you have an opportunity to thank the customer for their feedback and to show that you appreciate their business. This can help to build loyalty and may encourage the customer to leave more positive reviews in the future.

  4. Improve your business: When you respond to customer reviews, you have an opportunity to learn from their feedback and to make improvements to your business. This can help you to provide a better experience for your customers and can help to drive more positive reviews in the future.

In summary, responding to customer reviews is important because it shows that you care about your customers, helps to address concerns, builds loyalty, and can help you to improve your business. By taking the time to respond to customer reviews, you can build a stronger relationship with your customers and build a more successful business.

Tips for leveraging negative reviews to improve your business

Negative reviews can be tough to read, but they can also provide valuable feedback that can help you improve your business. Here are a few tips for leveraging negative reviews to improve your business:

  1. Don't ignore them: The worst thing you can do is to ignore negative reviews. Instead, take the time to read them carefully and understand what the customer is saying.

  2. Respond promptly: Once you've read a negative review, respond promptly. This shows that you take customer feedback seriously and that you're committed to resolving any issues.

  3. Take ownership: When responding to negative reviews, take ownership of the issue and apologize if necessary. This shows that you're taking responsibility for the problem and that you're committed to finding a solution.

  4. Look for patterns: If you're receiving multiple negative reviews about the same issue, it's important to address it. Look for patterns in your reviews and take action to make improvements where necessary.

  5. Use feedback to make improvements: Negative reviews can provide valuable feedback that can help you to make improvements to your business. Use this feedback to make changes to your products, services, or processes to address any issues that customers are experiencing.

  6. Follow up: Once you've made changes to address negative feedback, follow up with customers to let them know what you've done. This shows that you take their feedback seriously and that you're committed to providing a better experience.

In summary, negative reviews can be an opportunity to improve your business. By taking the time to understand what customers are saying, responding promptly and taking ownership, looking for patterns, using feedback to make improvements, and following up, you can turn a negative experience into a positive one and build stronger relationships with your customers.

Over to you

Customer reviews are a powerful tool for businesses looking to improve their landing page conversion rates. Research has shown that the presence of customer reviews can increase trust and credibility, leading to higher conversion rates. However, not all reviews are created equal, and businesses need to be strategic in how they incorporate customer reviews into their landing pages.

Strategies such as prominently displaying reviews, responding to customer reviews, and leveraging negative reviews to make improvements can all help businesses to maximize the impact of customer reviews on their landing page conversion rates. By following these strategies, businesses can build trust with potential customers, address concerns, and ultimately drive more sales.

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