Visual reviews are the tool brands use to showcase their products through the eyes of real people.
Nowadays, 92% of consumers hesitate to purchase without reading reviews first.
Visual reviews go beyond text; they show happy customers in action using your products or services. This builds trust faster and boosts sales.
Whether it’s a photo on Instagram or a video on YouTube, visual reviews capture attention and create social proof that your business is worth choosing.
This blog explores how visual review text can build trust and encourage more shoppers to click buy. Below, we provide practical steps for integrating visual reviews into your online store and examples of businesses that have seen their engagement and better sales.
Build trust & FOMO
Highlight real-time activities like reviews, sales & sign-ups.
What Are Visual Reviews?
Visual reviews are customer feedback in images or videos alongside text. They show how people use products or services they’ve bought. These reviews can be posted on social channels, websites, or online stores.
Unlike traditional reviews, which use visuals to highlight details and experiences, reviews are more engaging and trustworthy.
Customers often find reviews helpful when deciding to make a purchase because they provide a clearer picture of what to expect.
They effectively build social proof and show potential buyers real-life examples that influence their buying decisions.
Benefits of Utilizing Visual Reviews in eCommerce
User-generated reviews can significantly boost sales at every stage of the customer journey.
From helping customers discover products on social and digital channels to converting leads on product pages, eCommerce brands can gain valuable insights from these reviews.
Here are some benefits of utilizing reviews in eCommerce.
1. Build Trust Fast
Customers want products they can trust and relate to before purchasing investments.
Marketers use customer-generated visual content on social media, product pages, ads, and emails to build trust across their marketing channels.
User-generated content is seen as more genuine than brand-generated content. These visuals can also encourage others to try the product, helping brands attract more potential customers.
2. Increase Sales on All Platforms
Online shoppers sometimes hesitate because they can’t see products in person. Brand photos and videos try to show products differently, but they have limits.
User-generated visuals like customer photos and videos can give buyers a more genuine perspective and ease their worries about buying.
When these visuals come with reviews, shoppers can learn about the benefits and imagine how the product fits into their lives. This inspires them to buy, boosting your sales online and in stores.
3. Enhance Mobile Shopping
Most social media users use mobile phones, so brands must make their experiences easy.
This audience is often distracted and busy, so getting their attention is hard. Shoppers want to see product information quickly, and product images and user reviews help them decide to buy.
This new feature lets shoppers tap on tagged products within reviews to see details and buy them right away, making the entire process smoother and more convenient.
Types of Visual Reviews
Visual reviews can take various forms depending on the context and purpose. They may include photos, videos, infographics, or social media posts.
Here are some common types of visual reviews.
1. Photo Reviews
Customers share pictures of the product in use.
Adds authenticity and helps others visualize the product.
2. Video Reviews
Customers create short videos demonstrating the product.
Provides a dynamic and detailed look at features and benefits.
3. Social Media Post Reviews
Customers tag the brand in their posts or stories.
Increases brand visibility and engagement.
Build trust & FOMO
Highlight real-time activities like reviews, sales & sign-ups.
Impact of Visual Reviews on Consumer Behavior
Visual reviews have a big impact on consumer behavior. They provide a compelling, authentic perspective that influences purchasing decisions.
By showcasing real-life experiences visually, these reviews enhance trust and credibility, encouraging customers to engage with brands and make informed decisions.
- Build Trust: Seeing real photos builds trust more than just text.
- Authenticity: Visuals show real experiences, making reviews more authentic.
- Engagement: Consumers engage more with visual content.
- Decision-Making: Visuals help in making quicker and more confident buying decisions.
- Social Proof: Photos from others influence buying choices positively.
Encouraging Customers to Leave Visual Reviews
Encouraging customers to leave visual reviews boosts trust and engagement. These reviews showcase real experiences, making your brand more relatable and credible.
Visual content captures attention, fostering a stronger connection with potential customers
Here are some ways.
1. Upload UGC Photos on Site
On-site visual UGC, reviews, and ratings feature lets users share their experiences with our products or services directly on your website.
With the upload button, users can easily post up to 3 images, write reviews, and give ratings simultaneously.
This feature helps brands encourage their customers to share real-life visuals and ratings, showcasing authentic feedback on the website.
This creates social proof that attracts new customers browsing your website, looking to see what others have experienced with your brand.
2. Post Purchase Email Requests
Post-purchase emails encourage customers to share visual reviews of products they bought. Social proof is powerful and can be used beyond social media.
Shopify excels at using social proof in emails to boost performance. They send reminders with user-generated content to visitors who didn’t complete a purchase and ask for reviews after a new product is delivered.
3. Social Media Reshares
Social media is like modern print ads, but people prefer to see it to believe it. Users sharing their experiences with products on social channels can attract many people to check out your brand. Reposting on social channels is a common way to get users more involved.
You can run hashtag contests, giveaways, or campaigns to inspire more users.
How Can You Use Visual Reviews In Your Marketing Campaigns?
Incorporating visual reviews into your campaigns lets you leverage the genuine experiences of your customers to show potential buyers how your products look and work in real life, ultimately inspiring them to make a purchase.
Here’s how you can leverage them effectively.
1. Activate Abandoned Carts
Remind customers about their abandoned carts with visuals of highly rated products and include star ratings and customer photos in reminder emails to encourage completion.
Offer discounts or incentives based on positive reviews to motivate purchases.
2. Enhance Social Ads
Use visuals from satisfied customers in your social media ads.
Highlight positive ratings and customer stories to build trust and interest.
Introduce your product with visuals that tell a compelling story.
3. Create Product Page Galleries
Create a gallery of customer photos and ratings on your product pages.
Allow potential buyers to see real-life examples and understand your product’s quality.
Begin with a featured image that displays the highest-rated product scenarios.
4. Enhance In-Store Displays
Displayed visuals and ratings in your in-store to attract attention.
Use digital screens or posters to showcase customer feedback and product benefits.
Incorporate QR codes linked to online reviews for further customer engagement.
Boost Conversion Instantly
Add Social Proof & Urgency to your website
Wrapping Up
Visual reviews are crucial for building social proof. They offer real-life feedback through ratings and comments, which is essential for gaining trust.
Highlighting key features in these reviews helps your audience make informed decisions.
By showcasing positive experiences visually, you enhance credibility and attract more customers. Integrating visual reviews effectively can significantly boost your reputation and influence potential buyers’ choices, making them more likely to trust and engage with your brand.
