Social Proofing on a Website – in what forms?

‘Social proof is also one of Robert Cialdini’s six principles of persuasion which maintains that people are especially likely to perform certain actions if they can relate to the people who performed the same actions before them’.  So, how have or can companies integrated ‘social proof’ into their website?  Can you show me some examples please?  OK….here goes…

But first, if you are interested in our services at Digital Sales, check out this quick video:

Expert Social Proof

Expert Social Proofing, such as a doctor or an academic for example.  You’ve probably seen the Sensodyne Toothpaste ads over the years as a good TV example.  Let’s take a look at the Sensodyne website homepage, here you go:

And:

Celebrity Social Proof

You’ve all seen the George Clooney coffee ads, you may recall David Beckham and Johnny Wilkinson in 2003 for , Adidas…

Or, George Clooney and John Malkovich

What about how brands use celebrity social proof on a website, here are some examples:

Isabelle Adjani on the Loreal International homepage and you can guess more to follow…https://www.loreal.com/…..A voice of conviction….

Or check out Loreal Paris and the Cannes Photos, more Celebrity Social Proofing: https://www.loreal-paris.co.uk/products/make-up/events/cannes-film-festival-2018

User Social Proof

User social proof consists of positive feedback from actual users, typically taking the form of customer reviews and testimonials.

In simple terms a testimonials page on your website.  Taking customer reviews with star rating from Google My Business, TripAdvisor, Facebook, Yelp, Amazon, or see reviews on Restaurant or Movie Review websites and embed them into your website, here are some examples:

Wisdom of the Crowds

“Wisdom of the Crowds” social proof appeals to our sense of fear of missing out…remember those queues outside night clubs when you were young?!  Same principle.  Online web example may include, a simple ‘BESTSELLER’ link, or ‘MOST POPULAR’ or the number of social media shares.  Or take the homepage from WordPress…. notice the percentage…how can 30% of people be wrong????

Wisdom of your Friends

In simple terms ‘wisdom of your friends’ is recommendations from ‘now’ customers who have bought a product or service and recommended the purchase to their friends.  But how do companies spread the news to their friends….who may become very loyal customers?

Wisdom of your Friends – Examples in Use

Ever notice when you purchase an item online, the website will give you the option to tell you’re your friends via email, on social media platforms, etc.  This is social proof using the ‘wisdom of your friends’.  And you can embed this functionality into your website with relative ease.  This ‘wisdom of your friends’ social proof tactic is regularly used when buying tickets to concerts and events, but why not other websites?

Ticketfly take it to another level, they pull customer Facebook data to show them which of their friends are attending the same events as they are.  And most websites have social share buttons which allows users to easily tell their friends what they have just bought.  Maybe their friend will also buy the same product or ticket????  They may be more inclined to spread the news of their purchase especially if you offer a nice financial reward!! Check out these examples:

Other forms of Social Proof Examples – The Image Tells the story!!

Awards and Accolades

Social Proof – Need help with your Digital Sales and Marketing?…Contact Digital Sales

If you are a company that wants to build a world class website, needs help with your organic search position, Digital Strategy or generating online sales……do the necessary!!!…contact the Digital Sales team direct send us a mail at: info@digitalsales.ie, see our contact us page for our office locations.

Diarmuid Haughian – Business Development Director – Digital Sales

Post Grad Dip. User Experience (UX), Dip. International Selling, Cert. Digital Marketing, MSc. BITS