Social Proof should be embedded into the design of your website in order to influence users when they are on your website. It is no longer good enough to include forms of social proof on the homepage of your website as users are been driven to particular and relevant pages. And so, the design and user experience of your website must include forms of social proof within the header, footer and left hand menu within your website. Let take a look at some examples which the website design team at Digital Sales have incorporated into our clients websites.
But first, if you are interested in our services at Digital Sales, check out this quick video:
https://www.myp.ie/ – footer design – notice the funding and state logos, and also the Charity Number – great forms of social proof, throughout the entire website.
https://www.sodancastore.com/ – Best Selling Products – Social Proof
Social Proof using Testimonials
An obvious example, but even better if you can include an image of the person and back up the statement. The value of testimonials has decreased over the years due to the number of ‘fake’ or ‘made-up’ testimonials, so an image can be used to put a face to the statement and increase your credibility.
Another very obvious form of influence, ‘SEE OUR WORK’ – upload images of work and jobs you have completed, even embed Social Media platforms into your website, which some websites do using Instagram, for example:
Or, here on https://www.bphire.ie/instagram/
World Class and Highly Recognisable Brands as Customers
As seen on: https://www.spiritandstyleinteriors.ie/
Or, another example on https://www.ambassadorwindows.ie/
And if you resell or lease machines, cars, etc. Get their branding on your website, just like this example on https://www.ecoplanthire.ie/
Listing Manufacturers for added Social Proof
Here is another example, see, https://www.combinedservices.ie/
Working with High Quality Brands….Social Proof
Which takes us nicely to Accreditation, Qualifications and Membership – which is in essence professional external verification of your companies abilities and body of knowledge. Here are a couple of examples from Heating & Plumbing websites, https://www.combinedservices.ie/
https://www.tmplumbingandheating.ie/
Where and when possible, use images with real people and real images – avoid stock images. Real images creates even more trust. See this example on an About Us page for Catering 365 – https://www.catering365.ie/our-story/
And if it is within your budget, especially considering the sector your business is in, use professionally taken images, they really add value. Not only do high quality photos display your wears better, they create confidence between you and the buyer, check out this example on https://www.cloud9knitwear.com/
Check out the footer on www.Catering365.ie – see the location strip – it reminds the user how big and organised you are. It quickly informs your potential prospect that you cover this geographical area, which negates the perception a user may have by looking at phone number area codes. If you have an 01 and an 045 number, a user might assume you only operate in Dublin and Kildare. So, its important to let the user know you are nationwide or cover a larger area.
Embedding Social Proofing into a Logo – check our the tag line below??? An Irish company and in operation since 1973, that would give any prospect instant approval. There is probably a good reason they are in operation for over 50 years….
As Seen & Heard On….endorsements from local media agencies will not only create credibility but also other media agencies may reach out to your business if you have a history of contributing and you may become an authoritative figure on the back of it. Which will help your business in the long run.
You can see a great example on https://www.careerguidance.ie/, see:
There are other forms of social proofing available, especially around social media, you should be able to take some inspiration from this blog post on social proofing. If you need any assistance generation online leads, contact the Digital Sales team throughout Ireland, see our contact details here.
Diarmuid Haughian – Business Development Director – Digital Sales
Post Grad Dip. User Experience (UX), Dip. International Selling, Cert. Digital Marketing, MSc. BITS
