Table of Contents
- What is a Testimonial?
- The Evolution of Testimonials
- Testimonials vs. Endorsements: What’s the Difference?
- Related Reading
- Why are Testimonials on Website so Effective?
- Building Trust and Credibility
- Social Proof in Action
- Increased Conversion Rates
- Emotional Appeal
- Increased Customer Loyalty
- Influencing Decision-Making
- Boosting SEO and Visibility
- Boost Trust and Conversions with Testimonial’s Easy-to-Use Review Management Tools
- 11 Common Types Of Testimonials That Are Effective For A Website
- 1. Quote Testimonials that Speak Volumes
- 2. Social Media Testimonials that Show You’re Active and Reliable
- 3. Customer Reviews and Ratings that Build Trust
- 4. Authority Testimonials from Influencers Your Audience Trusts
- 5. Case Studies that Tell a Story
- 6. Video Testimonials that Capture Real Customer Stories
- 7. Interview Testimonials for An In-Depth Look at Customer Experiences
- 8. Blog Post Testimonials for Long-Form Social Proof
- 9. Press Review Testimonials from Credible Third Parties
- 10. Peer Review Testimonials that Boost Your Credibility
- 11. Audio Testimonials for Another Unique Format of Customer Feedback
- Showcase Authentic Customer Feedback with Testimonial’s All-in-One Solution
- How To Get Testimonials From Clients, 10 Best Way To Request For Testimonials
- Why Email is a Top Channel for Collecting Testimonials
- The Impact of Text Messages (SMS) on Review Requests
- Collect Testimonials from Your Website Header or Footer
- Use Social Media to Gather Testimonials
- The Benefits of Asking for Testimonials in Person
- Offer Incentives to Gather Testimonials Quickly
- Ask Multiple Times for a Testimonial
- Provide Great Customer Support and Experience
- Utilize Existing Review Platforms for Testimonial Collection
- What to Include in a Testimonial Request?
- The Request: Ask for a Testimonial Like a Pro
- The Testimonial Questions: What to Include in a Testimonial
- Customer Detail Collection: What to Include in a Testimonial
- The Consent: Make Sure You Have Permission to Use Their Testimonial
- Related Reading
- 8 Ways To Use Gathered Testimonials For Maximum Impact
- 1. Create a Dedicated Testimonial Page
- 2. Put Testimonials on Landing Pages
- 3. Use Testimonials in Marketing Materials
- 4. Create Ad Content Featuring Your Testimonials
- 5. Combine Testimonials with Your Success Stories
- 6. Put Testimonials on Your Contact and Checkout Pages
- 7. Share Testimonials on Social Media
- 8. Import Testimonials from External Pages to Your Website
- Related Reading
- 5 Best Practices For Getting Testimonials
- 1. Look Beyond Paying Clients
- 2. Ask Thoughtful Questions
- 3. Gather Feedback Throughout the Process
- 4. Utilize Different Formats
- 5. Keep Collecting—The More, The Better
- Build a Wall of Love for Free Today with Testimonial
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How To Get Testimonials From Clients In 10 Effective Ways (WIth 5 Best Practices)
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Imagine this: You’re in the market for a service. You have two options: One business has dozens of glowing reviews on its website, while the other has none. You’re going to pick the first business without any hesitation. This is the power of testimonials on website. They build trust and credibility for your business, helping you win over potential clients and customers. But how do you get testimonials from clients? This article will show you how to get client testimonials and boost your website quickly.
Testimonial software can help you collect, organize, and display testimonials on your website, enabling your business to thrive.
What is a Testimonial?
A testimonial in social media is a positive and genuine statement, review, endorsement, or recommendation of a product, service, or brand provided by a customer or a client. Celebrities, influencers, or other well-known personalities sometimes give them.
Testimonials help build credibility and a positive reputation and add value to the brand image in an authentic and unsponsored way. Testimonials on websites and social media can be obtained and displayed in various formats, such as:
- Images
- Text
- Videos
The Evolution of Testimonials
Testimonials evolved from the word ‘testimony,’ first used in the 15th century to refer to a demonstration of facts or evidence. Testimonials were earlier given verbally, with customers talking about a product or service positively and inspiring others to use it. With the advent of marketing, testimonials, in the form of written and spoken statements, have been adopted to grow and expand a business.
They serve as organic product or service promotions by reflecting users’ experiences and feedback. A testimonial essentially highlights the benefits and advantages of a brand or its offerings and how they deliver a positive outcome.
Testimonials vs. Endorsements: What’s the Difference?
While testimonials are sometimes confused with endorsements, the primary difference is that customers or users typically provide the former, while celebrities or significant personalities usually do endorsements.
Testimonials are perceived as more credible and trustworthy because they are given by customers or clients with firsthand experience with the product or service.
Related Reading
Why are Testimonials on Website so Effective?
Building Trust and Credibility
Testimonials offer third-party validation. In a world where consumers are often skeptical of marketing messages, hearing from real customers who have had a positive experience can be far more convincing than promotional content alone.
According to the 2022 Edelman Trust Barometer, trust is one of the top factors influencing consumer decisions, especially among millennials and Gen Z. Testimonials help to fill this trust gap by showing that others have had success with your business.
Social Proof in Action
Testimonials tap into the concept of social proof, which states that people tend to follow others' behavior when making decisions. Seeing others endorse your brand or product gives new customers the reassurance they need to take the next step, whether making a purchase or signing up for a service.
Positive testimonials act as endorsements that make potential customers feel more confident in choosing your business.
Increased Conversion Rates
Testimonials can directly impact your conversion rates. BigCommerce reports that users are 58% more likely to convert when they engage with reviews or testimonials. These customers tend to generate 62% more revenue per visitor, demonstrating the strong influence that positive feedback can have on purchasing decisions.
Testimonials can turn browsers into buyers by alleviating concerns and answering unspoken questions through customer experiences.
Emotional Appeal
Testimonials often highlight the emotional benefits of using your product or service, which can create a personal connection with potential customers. When people see how your business solved a problem or improved someone’s life, it triggers an emotional response, making them more likely to relate to the customer’s story and envision similar benefits for themselves.
Increased Customer Loyalty
According to the Edelman Trust Barometer, trusted brands enjoy greater customer loyalty, with 67% of people saying they are more likely to stay loyal to a brand they trust. By featuring testimonials, you demonstrate your ability to deliver on your promises, which can foster long-term relationships with your customers.
Influencing Decision-Making
Research from Wyzowl shows that 77% of people who watched a brand's testimonial video felt more confident purchasing. Written or video testimonials provide the social validation needed to sway undecided customers by offering relatable, real-world experiences that align with their needs and concerns.
Boosting SEO and Visibility
Testimonials can also improve your website's SEO. Fresh, unique content like reviews and testimonials can boost keyword relevance and enhance your site's search engine rankings. When potential customers search for reviews or experiences related to your product, having customer testimonials visible can increase your online visibility and draw more traffic to your site.
Boost Trust and Conversions with Testimonial’s Easy-to-Use Review Management Tools
Testimonial simplifies the process of building trust and credibility for businesses. Our testimonial software allows an accessible collection and display of authentic client testimonials featuring:
- Video and text options
- An embeddable wall of love widget
- A clever Email Assistant
- Third-party review imports
Testimonial helps boost your credibility and conversion rates by showcasing real customer experiences. This is ideal for:
- Content creators
- Agencies
- eCommerce
- SaaS companies
Build a wall of love for free today with Testimonial
11 Common Types Of Testimonials That Are Effective For A Website
1. Quote Testimonials that Speak Volumes
Quote testimonials are simple yet effective snippets of customer feedback. You can use them anywhere, from product pages to email marketing, to build trust with your audience. Quote testimonials, whether new to the market or a well-established brand, are easy to acquire.
To grab customers’ attention, combine these quotes with an image of the customer or brand logo and a call to action (CTA) when possible.
2. Social Media Testimonials that Show You’re Active and Reliable
Social media testimonials are another way to showcase your happy customers. To gather them, ask customers to leave feedback on your social platforms after they’ve purchased a product or service. They can:
- Tag you
- Use a unique hashtag
- Leave it on your page
One of the best parts about social media testimonials is that you can embed the social feed of user-generated content on your website so newcomers can immediately see this type of social proof.
3. Customer Reviews and Ratings that Build Trust
In addition to being displayed on your website, customer reviews can appear on marketplaces (e.g., Amazon) or review sites (such as Yelp or Capterra). You can display badges from these sites with an aggregate rating or score to show you are a trusted vendor.
4. Authority Testimonials from Influencers Your Audience Trusts
Also known as “influencer testimonials,” authority testimonials are pieces of content that include a celebrity or spokesperson supporting your company. Often, this person is a significant influencer of your target audience and helps build your business's credibility. The most effective spokespersons are the ones who share the core values of the company and deeply connect with the target audience.
Influencer testimonials can be expensive, and finding the right influencer can be challenging. Still, when they succeed, these campaigns can pay dividends for your company over time.
5. Case Studies that Tell a Story
Case study testimonials are another way to capture and relay social proof to your audience. They typically include an in-depth explanation of how a customer uses your product with detailed examples of use cases.
Case studies differ from interview testimonials in that they convey the analysis and results of using your product or service. In contrast, interview testimonials focus on various experience topics in a question-and-answer format, usually with little rewriting needed.
6. Video Testimonials that Capture Real Customer Stories
Showcase your customers’ positive experiences with your company using video testimonials. Not only do they tell a story visually, but viewers can see real customers talk about what makes your brand successful in their own words. Check out this video testimonial below from return software and reverse logistics company happy returns.
7. Interview Testimonials for An In-Depth Look at Customer Experiences
Like case studies, interview testimonials examine customers’ experiences with your product or service. The question-and-answer format prompts customers to provide details on certain aspects of your business, from customer service interactions to product quality.
8. Blog Post Testimonials for Long-Form Social Proof
Asking customers to detail their testimonials in a blog post is an excellent long-form social proof format. Many companies will review products or services in a blog post and compare them to other solutions on the market. Whether you ask your customers to write a blog post for you or get their testimonial to include in a blog post, your blog audience will better understand what your product offers.
9. Press Review Testimonials from Credible Third Parties
For growing companies, getting your business featured in the news (for the right reasons) is a significant accomplishment. Just like the restaurant Five Guys decorates its walls with press accolades, consider how to highlight positive media reviews.
- Capture quotes
- Buy reprint rights
- Share your brand’s media coverage on social media
10. Peer Review Testimonials that Boost Your Credibility
Peer review testimonials are feedback that customers post on review sites like:
- Yelp
- Angi (formerly Angie's List)
- Trustpilot
These reviews can influence customers, as many consumers look at these review sites during decision-making, mainly when using a company for the first time. Studies show that 54% of consumers will only consider buying from a business if it has four or more stars on a review site. These reviews can be quickly captured, reformatted, and shared on your company's website, bringing social proof to your site.
11. Audio Testimonials for Another Unique Format of Customer Feedback
Audio is similar to video in how it can influence and motivate your audience. For example, you can use an audio testimonial in a:
- Podcast
- Radio ad
- LinkedIn content
One great benefit of audio is that it‘s cost-effective. You don’t need an entire production crew and tons of expensive equipment. With these tools, you can tell an inspiring customer story by threading different customer quotes together in one track. You only need:
- Microphone
- Recording software
- Quiet room to record
Showcase Authentic Customer Feedback with Testimonial’s All-in-One Solution
Testimonial simplifies building trust and credibility for businesses. Our testimonial software allows an accessible collection and display of authentic client testimonials featuring:
- Video and text options
- An embeddable wall of love widget
- A clever Email Assistant
- Third-party review imports
Testimonial helps boost your credibility and conversion rates by showcasing real customer experiences. This is ideal for:
- Content creators
- Agencies
- eCommerce
- SaaS companies
Build a wall of love for free today with Testimonial
How To Get Testimonials From Clients, 10 Best Way To Request For Testimonials
Gathering testimonials manually, such as through email requests, can be slow and labor-intensive. You must draft messages and follow up with customers; you often need more time to respond. This can lead to missed opportunities to showcase positive feedback that could help potential customers make informed decisions.
Tools like Testimonial streamline collecting and displaying customer feedback, making it faster and more efficient. With platforms like this, you can send:
- Automated requests
- Captured testimonials in various formats:
- Text
- Video
- Import reviews from third-party sources
Testimonial also provides features like an embeddable “wall of love” widget, allowing you to showcase customer experiences directly on your site without hassle. This simplifies the collection and presentation, making building trust and credibility with new visitors easier.
A tool like Testimonial lets you import testimonials from review platforms like:
- G2
- Social media sites like:
- Twitter (X)
It has a built-in invite system, so you can automatically invite people and track the status of their testimonials.
Why Email is a Top Channel for Collecting Testimonials
Email requests remain one of the most effective channels for collecting customer testimonials because it's a straightforward and scalable approach. Later in this post, you'll find testimonials email templates that make collecting testimonials via email extremely simple. You can ask for positive feedback in bulk by sending an email to your email list or you can send an individual testimonial request by sending a direct message to your customer's email address.
You can even set up an automation so happy clients receive an automatic email when they complete an action. For example, two days after buying my product, ask for a testimonial. After a positive customer service interaction, ask for a testimonial. That way, your customer success team won't need to remember to do this every time.
The Impact of Text Messages (SMS) on Review Requests
Text messages (or SMS) offer an intriguingly direct and personal way to request customer reviews. Customers receive dozens, and sometimes hundreds, of emails daily, and in an age of cluttered inboxes, a text message can gracefully cut through the noise.
Because text messages are so direct, they can be a source of intrusion or annoyance if not handled thoughtfully. Please make your request respectful, clear, and to the point, ideally integrating it seamlessly into a positive customer experience. This will encourage valuable testimonials while maintaining the sanctity of personal space.
Collect Testimonials from Your Website Header or Footer
The header or footer of your website serves as prime real estate for collecting valuable feedback. It's an area consistently visible to your audience, often catching their eye right before they navigate away or complete an action on your site. Strategically placing a simple but engaging call-to-action (CTA) here can encourage loyal customers to share organic feedback. Given that they're already on your platform, it minimizes friction, making it exponentially more accessible for them to participate. It's convenience coupled with visibility!
Pro tip: When collecting testimonials passively, use incentives like discount codes and gift cards to encourage more people to leave testimonials.
Use Social Media to Gather Testimonials
If you've already built a social media following, you're sitting on a gold mine for collecting testimonials. Your audience is engaged, knows your brand, and is likely to have positive experiences they're willing to share. A single well-crafted post asking for reviews can generate immediate and numerous client testimonials and, sometimes, even traffic via public social media posts.
The Benefits of Asking for Testimonials in Person
If you’re new to this and don’t have an established email list of customers, asking in person can also be effective. Whenever your customers come to your shop, you can ask them for a written or video testimonial. This method is convenient for business owners who nurture face-to-face relationships.
Offer Incentives to Gather Testimonials Quickly
Sometimes, your customers might need extra motivation. Offering some kind of gratification in exchange for a testimonial could help you collect more testimonials quickly. You can provide a testimonial swap where we exchange positive customer testimonials. Of course, this only works if we use each other’s products or services.
Offer a gift card to each person who gives a testimonial, or if you have a tighter budget, organize a lottery in which one can win a gift card or some other compelling prize. If you go for a lottery, don’t forget to ask for each customer’s contact information so you can get back to them.
Ask Multiple Times for a Testimonial
You might not get an answer when you ask for the first time. Maybe the situation is not ripe enough yet – ask later. For example, offering multiple chances to give testimonials during a single website visit is essential.
It might be noticed if the only way to provide feedback is hidden in the navigation.
Provide Great Customer Support and Experience
Want a surefire way to ignite a chorus of positive reviews for your business? Prioritize stellar customer support! Happy customers don’t just return for more. They become your most persuasive marketing team, eager to share their positive experiences with the world.
From anticipating needs to resolving issues promptly and professionally, exceptional support fosters trust and appreciation, paving the way for glowing testimonials.
Utilize Existing Review Platforms for Testimonial Collection
Utilizing third-party platforms can be your secret weapon for unlocking positive reviews and boosting your business’s credibility. Imagine this: a streamlined system where happy customers can quickly leave feedback on a neutral platform, complete with star ratings and detailed narratives.
These platforms provide this trusted space, encouraging authenticity and making testimonials feel less like “a favor” and more like “celebrating a good experience.” Plus, their search engine optimization magic can land your business in front of even more potential customers seeking social proof.
- Trustpilot
- Google My Business
- Capterra
What to Include in a Testimonial Request?
The Request: Ask for a Testimonial Like a Pro
When asking for a testimonial, be polite and straightforward. Start with a friendly greeting, then explain why you’re reaching out. After that, directly ask for the testimonial and express your appreciation.
For instance:
“Hi [Client’s Name],
I hope you’re doing well! I’m asking if you’d be willing to provide a testimonial about your experience working with me. Your feedback would be invaluable!”
The Testimonial Questions: What to Include in a Testimonial
Provide specific questions or prompts to guide your client in writing their testimonial. These can be open-ended to encourage detailed responses or direct questions to get specific feedback.
Examples of Questions:
- What was your primary goal when we started working together?
- How did my services help you achieve that goal?
- What did you enjoy most about our collaboration?
- Would you recommend my services to others? Why?
Customer Detail Collection: What to Include in a Testimonial
Gathering relevant details from your client can enhance the credibility of the testimonial. Consider including:
- Client's Full Name: For authenticity.
- Job Title and Company Name: To establish authority.
- Duration of Working Relationship: How long we’ve worked together.
- Photos or Logos: Visual elements will accompany the testimonial, if appropriate.
Example Questions for Detail Collection:
- What is your full name and job title?
- Can I include your company name?
- How long have we worked together?
- Do you have a photo or logo you'd like to share with the testimonial?
The Consent: Make Sure You Have Permission to Use Their Testimonial
Always ask for permission to use their testimonial in your marketing materials. Be clear about how you intend to use their feedback and reassure them that their privacy will be respected if they prefer to remain anonymous.
Example: “Would you be comfortable with me sharing your testimonial on my website and in my marketing materials? If you have any preferences about how you’d like your name displayed or prefer to remain anonymous, please let me know.”
Related Reading
8 Ways To Use Gathered Testimonials For Maximum Impact
1. Create a Dedicated Testimonial Page
One traditional way to feature testimonials is to set up a page specifically for testimonials. You can include as many testimonials from customers as you want on a page like this, as it is dedicated to reviews and doesn’t need room for other information. Make sure to include calls to action, though. This way, new potential customers can click on a button after they have been dazzled by the glowing reviews from other customers.
2. Put Testimonials on Landing Pages
Placing customer testimonials on your landing pages makes it easy for new customers to spot them. They don’t have to look for a separate testimonial page since the testimonials are already visible when they first land on your website. But how do you ensure the testimonials do not occupy too much space on your landing pages?
You can create a testimonial pop-up or a testimonial slider. They allow you to feature multiple testimonials while saving space for other important content.
3. Use Testimonials in Marketing Materials
You can incorporate testimonials anywhere:
- Sales pages
- Email marketing
- Social media
- In a blog post
- Flyers
- Pamphlets
- Slide shows
- Presentations
The possibilities are endless. If you use video testimonials, you can create a YouTube channel or use them as commercial materials.
4. Create Ad Content Featuring Your Testimonials
Create a testimonial ad and let your customers vouch for you in paid ad campaigns. Then, watch the results roll in.
5. Combine Testimonials with Your Success Stories
This is where you can provide quantitative data in the form of data & statistics of outcomes and qualitative data using customer testimonials. As previously mentioned, having a combination of both will win over your customers’ hearts and minds.
6. Put Testimonials on Your Contact and Checkout Pages
A testimonial on your checkout or contact page can be the final touch of persuasion you need. It could be what you need to push someone to buy your products or services. To make this as effective as possible, save your best testimonials for last.
7. Share Testimonials on Social Media
Share testimonials across your social media channels for high engagement. Remember to tag your clients in the content and ask them to share it so you can reap brand exposure with their networks.
8. Import Testimonials from External Pages to Your Website
If you already have a few testimonials on an external review page, such as Google, why not use them and import them to your own website? With Testimonial, you can easily embed testimonials and reviews from your customers to your website.
Related Reading
5 Best Practices For Getting Testimonials
1. Look Beyond Paying Clients
When starting, you may not have to pay clients yet. But this doesn’t mean you can’t gather valuable testimonials. Look beyond paying clients. A testimonial doesn’t have to come from a paying customer. It can come from anyone who has benefited from your advice or services. Even casual conversations where you’ve provided helpful insights can lead to meaningful feedback. So, don’t be shy about asking for testimonials in informal settings.
2. Ask Thoughtful Questions
To get compelling testimonials, you need to ask the right questions. Avoid simple yes-or-no queries and ask open-ended questions that encourage detailed responses. For example, ask how their life or business has improved since working with you or what specific aspects of your service they found most valuable. These questions invite more engaging stories, which can resonate better with potential clients.
3. Gather Feedback Throughout the Process
Don’t wait until the end of a project to ask for a testimonial. Request feedback at different stages of your process to capture clients’ thoughts while they are still fresh. For instance, check in with your client for feedback after solving a fundamental problem or delivering a milestone.
This allows you to gather testimonials reflecting various customer journey points, offering a more comprehensive picture of your value.
4. Utilize Different Formats
Testimonials don’t have to come from formal feedback forms. If a client praises your work on social media, via email, or in direct messages, don’t hesitate to ask if you can use their comments as a testimonial.
Screenshots and quotes in different formats can be powerful if you get the client’s permission to share their feedback.
5. Keep Collecting—The More, The Better
Regarding testimonials, quantity can be just as important as quality. Potential customers feel more confident when they see many positive reviews. Even if you only have short or simple testimonials, having many of them can provide the social proof needed to persuade new clients. Keep gathering testimonials to build a strong portfolio showcasing your business’s credibility.
Build a Wall of Love for Free Today with Testimonial
Testimonial is important for one simple reason: They help your business make more money. It’s just a fact. Potential customers trust testimonials. 72% of consumers say that positive testimonials and reviews boost their trust in a business. And the more testimonials you have, the better. This is because different customers are looking for different things.
For example, one customer might be interested in how your product works, while another might be looking for information on your customer service. The more testimonials you have, the better the chances that at least one of them will address the concerns of your potential buyer and help them make a purchase decision.
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