Video reviews are like gold for eCommerce stores.
They're the best way to showcase your products through the eyes of your customers, offering a level of authenticity and engagement that text reviews can't match.
For eCommerce stores on Shopify and Wix, this isn't just a nice-to-have; it's a must-have.
Why?
Because video reviews are key to building trust, enhancing engagement, improving SEO, and ultimately, boosting conversion rates.
Beautiful, simple video reviews for your site
Easily collect, show & grow customer videos for your business.Video reviews address some of the biggest challenges online stores face, from establishing credibility to standing out in a crowded marketplace.
But how do you start collecting video reviews?
And more importantly, how do you leverage them to their full potential?
Whether you're just starting to consider video reviews or looking for ways to improve your current strategy, this guide will walk you through simple yet effective strategies to harness the power of video reviews, transforming happy customers into your most convincing advocates.
Let's dive in and explore how you can make video reviews a winning part of your eCommerce playbook. 🚀
How to Get Video Reviews for Your Shopify Stores + The Unbeatable Benefits of Video Reviews 📹
🌟 Building Trust: Authenticity at Its Best
Imagine you're browsing online for a new pair of sneakers.
You come across two reviews: one is a lengthy paragraph, and the other is a video showing someone actually wearing those sneakers, talking about how comfy they are and showing you the non-slip grip in action.
Which one do you trust more?
The video, right?
That's the beauty of video reviews.
They bring a level of authenticity and transparency that text just can't match. Seeing a real person share their genuine experience makes the product more relatable and builds trust with potential customers.
It's like getting a recommendation from a friend.
For example, Zappos, a leader in online shoe and clothing retail, leverages video reviews to boost customer confidence in their purchases, demonstrating the impact of real people sharing real stories.
💥 Enhancing Engagement: Keep 'Em Watching
Video content is like a magnet – it draws people in and keeps them engaged.
When potential customers land on your product page, a video review can capture their attention in a way that text simply can't. This isn't just speculation; it's backed by data.
According to Wyzowl, 82% of video marketers say video has helped increase the average time their visitors spend on the page.
That extra time spent on your site not only increases the chances of making a sale but also signals to search engines that your content is valuable, improving your overall site engagement metrics.
🔍 Improving SEO: Climb the Search Engine Ladder
Speaking of search engines, let's not forget about SEO (Search Engine Optimization).
Video content can significantly boost your store's visibility online.
How?
Well, search engines love video content because it provides value and improves user experience.
Including video reviews on your product pages can increase the amount of time visitors spend on your site, which is a positive signal to search engines.
Additionally, videos can appear in both standard and video search results, doubling your chances of being seen.
Embedding video reviews into your product pages or blog posts can make your Shopify store more likely to show up in those coveted top spots.
Read more: How To Get Star Ratings To Show Up In Google Search Results
📈 Increasing Conversion Rates: Turning Views into Sales
Now, let's talk numbers. Incorporating video reviews into your Shopify store isn't just about looking cool; it's about increasing your bottom line.
Including video on a landing page can increase conversion rates by 80%, according to Unbounce.
Real-world applications?
Take the skincare brand, Glossier, for example.
By featuring customer video testimonials, they not only showcase their products in action but also create a community around their brand, leading to higher engagement and conversion rates.
Setting the Stage for Video Reviews
Ready to roll out the red carpet for video reviews on your Shopify store?
Let’s break down how you can make videos a star attraction, not just a background extra.
🛠 Make It Easy
First things first, if you want your customers to leave video reviews, you've got to make it as easy as pie.
Here's how:
Use a Video Review Platform
Opt for a Shopify review app like Fera that allows customers to upload video reviews directly to your product pages.
Look for apps with user-friendly interfaces that require minimal steps to upload a video.
Make Sure Your Submission Flow is Mobile-Friendly
Ensure that your website and the video review feature are optimized for mobile users.
Considering most videos are shot on smartphones, your customers should be able to upload their reviews straight from their devices without any hiccups.
Fera has an amazing video review upload feature for mobile too!
Give Clear Instructions
Don't leave your customers guessing how to upload their video reviews.
Provide clear, concise instructions on your site. A simple step-by-step guide or a quick FAQ section can work wonders.
Beautiful, simple video reviews for your site
Easily collect, show & grow customer videos for your business.💡 Incentivize Your Customers
Now, to encourage your customers to take that extra step and leave a video review, consider adding a little sparkle.
Here are some ideas:
- Offer a discount on their next purchase for submitting a video review. It’s a win-win; they get a deal, and you get valuable content.
- Run a monthly contest where the best video review wins a prize, like a significant discount, a free product, or even featuring their video prominently on your site and social media.
- If you have a loyalty program, offer points for video reviews that can be redeemed for perks. This not only encourages reviews but also fosters customer loyalty.
🌟 Lead by Example
Wondering how to ensure your customers understand exactly what you’re looking for in a video review?
Here's what to do:
- Create a Sample Video Review: Produce a video review of your own product to show the ideal length, style, and content you’re hoping for. This can help set the tone and inspire your customers.
- Highlight Great Examples: Feature standout customer video reviews on your social media or in a dedicated section of your site. This not only rewards those customers but also shows others the kind of content that gets celebrated.
- Provide a Template or Prompts: Sometimes, customers might not know what to say. Offer a simple template or a few prompts to get them started. Questions like "What do you love about the product?" or "How has it made your life easier?" can guide them to create more engaging and useful content.
Crafting the Perfect Ask with Fera
Getting your customers to leave a video review requires more than just a “please review our product” message.
It’s about asking the right way, at the right time, and giving them all they need to succeed.
And guess what?
Fera's got you covered for each step of this journey. Let’s break it down:
⏰ Timing Is Everything
The timing of your ask can significantly impact the likelihood of receiving a video review.
With Fera, you can automate the process to ensure your request hits their inbox at just the right moment with post-purchase timing.
Use Fera to set up automated emails or SMS messages that are triggered after a customer has received their product and had enough time to try it out.
Typically, a window of 1-2 weeks post-delivery works well, giving your shoppers the chance to experience your product and form an opinion.
💌 Personalization Wins
Personalized asks feel more genuine and can significantly increase your chances of getting a response.
Fera helps you tailor your messages to each customer, making them feel valued and understood.
Implement these strategies:
- Customized Messages: Use Fera to insert the customer’s name, the product they purchased, and even their purchase history into the review request. A message that says, “Hey [Name], how are you enjoying [Product]? We’d love to see it in action!” feels much more personal than a generic ask.
- Segment Your Audience: With Fera, you can segment your customers based on their behavior, purchase history, and more in your favorite email marketing app (check out our messaging integrations). This means you can customize your asks even further, targeting long-time customers differently from first-timers, for example.
Read: The Top 10 Review Request Subject Lines
📝 Offer Guidelines and Tips
To get that video review, your customers need to know what makes a good one. In your review request, be sure to add v ideo prompts!
Sometimes, customers might be unsure what to say in their video.
Within your Fera review request, you can send customers a list of prompts or questions to answer in their review, such as
- “What surprised you the most about [Product]?” or
- “Show us how you use [Product] in your daily life.”
Beautiful, simple video reviews for your site
Easily collect, show & grow customer videos for your business.Leveraging Video Reviews for Maximum Impact
Once you've got those video reviews rolling in, the next step is to make sure they're seen and felt across your digital presence.
Once you have collected reviews, you have to place them where they can have the biggest impact.
Here’s how you can leverage these video gems to the fullest:
🌟 Feature Them Prominently on Your Site and Social
Video reviews should be front and center, not hidden away.
They’re powerful testimonials of your product's value, so let them shine!
- Homepage: Use sections of your homepage to feature video reviews. This could be a dedicated "Customer Reviews" or "All Reviews" section or a rotating highlight reel that showcases different reviews.
- Product Pages: Embed video reviews directly on relevant product pages. Seeing a video review next to the product description can significantly boost confidence in potential buyers.
- Social Media: Share video reviews on your social media platforms. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook are perfect for this, allowing you to post videos on your feed, stories, or even as part of an ad campaign. Tagging the reviewer (with their permission) can also increase reach and authenticity.
❤️ Encourage Your Customers to Spread the Word
Your customers are your best marketers, so encourage them to share their video reviews on their own social channels.
This not only amplifies your reach but also adds an extra layer of trust through personal recommendation.
- Make Sharing Easy: Provide simple instructions or tools that allow customers to share their video reviews with just a couple of clicks. You could offer a share button that posts directly to their social media or a downloadable link to the video.
- Incentivize Sharing: Motivate your customers to share their reviews by linking this action to rewards. For instance, enter them into a monthly draw or offer a discount on their next purchase for every share.
📊 Analyze and Adapt
To truly leverage the power of video reviews, you need to keep an eye on how they're impacting your business.
This means diving into the data to see what's working and what isn't.
- Track Engagement and Conversion Rates: Use tools to monitor how video reviews affect your key performance indicators (KPIs), like engagement rates on social media and conversion rates on product pages. Are pages with video reviews performing better? Are shared video reviews driving traffic?
- Customer Feedback: Listen to what your customers are saying about the video reviews. Are they finding them helpful? Is there something they’d like to see more (or less) of in these reviews?
- Tweak Your Strategy: Based on your findings, adjust your approach. Maybe you find that video reviews on certain types of products perform better, or perhaps certain formats of video reviews resonate more with your audience. Use this insight to refine your strategy, focusing on what delivers the best results.
Overcoming Common Hurdles
Venturing into video reviews is exciting, but let's be real: it comes with its set of challenges.
From camera shyness to concerns about video quality and privacy, there are hurdles to navigate.
But fear not!
Here are some practical ways to help your customers leap over these obstacles with ease.
🎥 Boosting Customer Comfort and Confidence
Camera shyness is a real thing. Here's how you can help your customers feel more at ease:
- Encourage Authenticity: Remind your customers that perfection isn't the goal; authenticity is. Let them know it's okay if they stumble over their words or if their setting isn’t picture-perfect. Realness resonates.
- Provide Examples and Tips: Sharing examples of other customer video reviews can serve as inspiration. Also, offer simple tips for feeling more comfortable on camera, like practicing what they want to say beforehand or setting up a comfortable, well-lit space for recording.
- Create a Supportive Community: Foster a community that celebrates every video review, regardless of production quality. Highlighting diverse videos on your social media and website shows there’s no one “right” way to do a video review.
🌟 Quality Concerns: Ensuring Consistency and Clarity
While you're championing authenticity, you also want to ensure the videos are clear enough to be effective.
Here’s how to strike that balance:
- Basic Guidelines: Provide your customers with simple filming and lighting tips to improve the quality of their videos. For instance, facing a natural light source and using a stable surface to hold the camera can make a huge difference.
- Tech Specs Made Simple: Give easy-to-follow advice on technical aspects, like recommended video length (aim for 1-2 minutes) and file size. This ensures the videos are easy to upload and share without losing quality.
🔒 Privacy Considerations: Safe and Respectful Sharing
Here’s how you can ensure your customers feel secure when sharing their video reviews:
- Clear Consent: Make sure your customers know exactly how and where their video will be used. Provide a simple consent form or checkbox that explains this, ensuring they’re comfortable with their video being shared on your website, social media, or marketing materials. Fera has some template Terms and Services that you can checkoff in your backed!
- Respect Anonymity: If a customer prefers not to reveal their full name, allow them to use just their first name or initials alongside their review. This can help more customers feel comfortable participating.
- Secure Storage: Ensure that any video reviews submitted are stored securely and only accessible by those who need them for legitimate business purposes. Explain to your customers how you protect their data to build trust.
And P.S. you can always reject low-quality video review submissions with Fera.
Seizing the Video Review Opportunity for eCommerce
We've journeyed through the what, why, and how of video reviews, uncovering their unmatched ability to build trust, engage audiences, improve SEO, and elevate conversion rates.
From integrating a seamless video review feature on your site with Fera to crafting the perfect ask and leveraging those reviews for maximum impact, the roadmap is clear.
Video reviews are not a trend!
Video reviews are one of the most important tools for eCommerce success.
Now, it's over to you to embrace video reviews and let your customers do the talking.
Their stories, shared through video, can be the most compelling endorsement of your products, fostering a community of trust around your brand.
So, what are you waiting for?
Start implementing these strategies today and watch as video reviews elevate your Shopify store to new heights.
Let's turn those satisfied smiles into sales, one video review at a time.
