Visual reviews (photos and videos submitted by customers) have become a powerful tool for building trust, engaging customers, and driving sales.
Builds Trust and Authenticity
A study by PowerReviews found that 86% of consumers always or regularly seek out photos and videos prior to purchase. Visual reviews provide real-life context and authenticity, making it easier for potential customers to trust the product. Seeing a product in real-world use helps bridge the gap between expectation and reality.
Increases Engagement and Interaction
Visual content is more engaging than text alone. Photos and videos catch the eye and hold the attention of potential buyers, encouraging them to spend more time on the product page and increasing the likelihood of a purchase.
Enhances Product Understanding
eMarketer reports that 63% of consumers say that product videos are helpful in making purchase decisions. Visual reviews provide additional perspectives and details that may not be covered in the product description. They can showcase how a product looks and functions in real life, helping customers make informed decisions.
Boosts SEO and Organic Traffic
User-generated content, including images and videos, enhances the website's SEO by increasing dwell time and providing fresh, relevant content. This can lead to higher rankings on search engine results pages (SERPs) and attract more organic traffic.
However, many e-commerce businesses struggle with collecting these valuable visual testimonials. To help, we’ve compiled some practical tips to drive more visual reviews and harness their full potential.
Request Reviews Post-Purchase:
- Automated Emails: Send automated follow-up emails after a purchase, asking customers to leave a review and upload photos or videos of the product. Timing is crucial; sending the request a week after delivery ensures customers have had time to use the product.
- Incentives: Offer incentives such as discounts, loyalty points, or entry into a giveaway for customers who leave a visual review. This encourages participation and adds value for the customer.
Tips! Follow Up with Non-Reviewers! Send a gentle reminder to customers who haven't left a review after the initial request. A well-timed follow-up can nudge customers who intended to leave a review but forgot.
Tools like Loox app that seamlessly integrates with Shopify. Loox offers automated review request emails, making it easier to gather reviews and incentivize the photo and video reviews from customers easily. Collected reviews would be displayed to the relevant product pages without coding.
Respond to Reviews:
Show appreciation by responding to customer reviews and highlighting exceptional content on your website or social media. Acknowledging customer contributions fosters a sense of community and encourages others to share their experiences.
Highlight User Content:
Create a dedicated section on your website for customer photos and videos. Featuring user-generated content prominently can inspire more customers to contribute.
Utilize Product Packaging to include the Review Request:
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Insert a card or flyer in the product packaging requesting a review. Include a QR code that directs customers to the review submission page, making it easy for them to share their experiences.
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Thank You Notes: Personalized thank you notes can make customers feel valued and increase the likelihood of them leaving a review. Mentioning that their feedback (including photos and videos) would be appreciated can be very effective.
Conclusion
Incorporating visual reviews into your e-commerce strategy can significantly enhance customer trust, engagement, and sales. By implementing these tips to drive more visual reviews, you can create a vibrant and authentic community around your brand, leading to higher conversion rates and sustained growth.