There are some basic elements that go into testimonials that help you boost sales. All testimonials certainly are not created equal - yours should all reinforce your unique selling point, serve a specific purpose, and ultimately build trust in your
brand. When you use these ideas correctly, there is literally no limit to how much they can improve your business over the long term.
Every business should have a unique selling point, a special benefit or feature that no other company can match.
When you advertise your unique selling point, make sure you have a testimonial that speaks directly to that point and really drives the idea home. You can actually have one testimonial (or even several) underneath each benefit you list on your sales page. This offers a kind of social proof for the ideas that you are trying to communicate.
This applies to everyone doing business online, not just large companies - whatever you’re doing, you can always strive to be the best, and prove it to your potential customers or clients with compelling testimonials. In fact, if you're just starting out, it is even more essential to gather testimonials as you build your reputation and establish what you're capable of offering potential clients.
Most purchases that are made online are based on emotion and desire, rather than logic and need. This means that your testimonials should express how your product or service has affected someone on an emotional level, and not just state the facts. This helps break through the constant noise that consumers are bombarded with each and every day, and communicates with them on a more intimate level.
If you can show that past customers have had an emotional experience with your product, their testimonial will shine through as being genuine and you will build up your credibility immediately. Harness the power of social proof through effective use of testimonials, and you're sure to turn first-time visitors into life-long customers.
Brian D. McElroy is the author of Testimonials Unleashed!, the web's premier resource for how to build your business by harnessing the awesome power of social proof.
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