User-Generated Content is Still A Big Deal. Here's How to Get It For Your Shopify Store

Running a Shopify store can be difficult, and that’s why leveraging user-generated content (UGC) gives you a competitive edge. UGC has become a powerful force in eCommerce, shaping the way businesses market to potential shoppers, interact with their customers, and drive sales.

Let's explore the importance of UGC content marketing specifically for Shopify stores, and how this strategy can help you boost your sales and enhance customer engagement.

UGC Content Marketing for Shopify Stores

What is UGC?

UGC is a form of content created by users, rather than brands themselves. Think of UGC, as product reviews, customer photos, videos, testimonials, and social media posts generated by your customers sharing their experiences with your brand.

This type of UGC content is authentic, relatable, and holds significant weight in the decision-making process for potential customers. When shoppers see positive testimonials or real-life images of products in use, they are more likely to trust the brand and make a purchase. It's like getting a recommendation from a friend or family member, which carries more weight than traditional advertising.

Importance of UGC for Shopify Stores

70% of consumers need to read at least four reviews before they feel like they can trust a business. That’s where UGC content marketing comes in. Consumers are constantly bombarded with ads and promotions, and when selling them, authenticity is key. UGC provides that authenticity! Showing UGC is a way for your store to showcase real, unfiltered content from your past customers, which can build credibility, trust, and ultimately drive conversions.

UGC Enhances Your Online Store and Presence

As a Shopify store owner, you can leverage UGC in numerous ways to enhance your online presence and engage with your audience effectively.

By incorporating customer reviews, testimonials, photos, and video reviews, your store can create a sense of community around your brand and products.

All Reviews Page

Many times, shoppers are looking to see all your reviews at a glance. This helps them understand the good, bad, and ugly, of your store in one go. That is why it’s so important to have an all-reviews page. This is a place on your website where all of your reviews (positive and negative) live.

Photo and Video Reviews

This is the goldmine of UGC! When it comes to UGC content marketing, the best places to spend your energy are with photos and especially videos. That’s because putting a little bit of ad spend behind video can give you serious reach!

However, even if you just add a photo or video review gallery to your product page, you can boost trust and help customers make the right decision.

Average Ratings

Like the all-reviews page, showing average ratings on your homepage or product page help customers make a decision. Not only that but having the right markup will help you get your star ratings to show in Google Search.

Again, when potential customers see real people sharing their positive experiences, they are more likely to trust your brand and make a purchase, leading to increased sales and customer loyalty.

UGC Helps You Understand Your Customers

Additionally, UGC in the form of reviews can help you understand your customers better.

By analyzing the content that customers are sharing, you can gain valuable insights into your customer’s preferences, pain points, and overall satisfaction with the products or services offered.

This feedback loop allows your brand to tailor your marketing strategy, product offerings, and customer service to meet the needs of your target audience better.

Example

Alora Boutique, a Shopify store that sells jewelry, got a lot of reviews mentioning that shipping times took too long. Based on that feedback, management decided to do a couple of things

1. Show the shipping times for different regions better
2. Refine the options for free shipping, tracked shipping, and expedited shipping.

After those changes, negative reviews about shipping started to decline. This example serves as a reminder that negative reviews are not your enemy! You can learn a lot from them to improve your product and the customer experience.

UGC Improves Your Social Media Reach

Not only does UGC have the potential to enhance your online store and help you understand your customer’s better, but UGC has the potential to expand the reach of a Shopify store beyond traditional marketing efforts!

When customers share their experiences with a brand on social media or review platforms, they are essentially acting as brand ambassadors, reaching a wider audience and driving more traffic to the store. This organic word-of-mouth advertising is incredibly valuable when it comes to differentiating yourself in eCommerce.

Whether you are working with influencers, employing UGC content creators, or relying on organic customer reviews, be sure to reshare on your social and be appreciative when reposting!

Next, let's explore practical ways to implement UGC in your Shopify store, including reviews, competitions, and customer collaboration.

Practical Ways to Get UGC for Your Store: Reviews, Competitions, and Customer Collaboration

For Shopify store owners looking to boost engagement, establish credibility, and drive sales, implementing UGC in your store can be a game changer, creating a community-driven environment that fosters trust and authenticity.

Let's explore three practical ways to incorporate UGC effectively into your Shopify store.

1. Reviews

Customer reviews are a cornerstone of UGC that can significantly influence purchasing decisions.

Encouraging satisfied customers to leave reviews not only provides valuable feedback but also acts as social proof for potential buyers.

With a reviews app like Fera, you can automate the entire review process. From setting up automatic review requests to setting incentives to showcasing your reviews in your PageFly templates, Fera is the best Shopify review app around!

Embedding review widgets with a reviews app like Fera on your product pages can showcase these authentic reviews, building trust and credibility for your brand.

When potential customers see real people interacting with your products or services, whether through reviews, testimonials, or user-generated images and videos, it adds credibility to your brand.

Large Brand Example

Beauty brand Pela Case leverages customer reviews effectively by showcasing user-generated images and testimonials on its website. This not only engages their audience but also provides genuine feedback and product walkthroughs for new customers.

Small Brand Idea

For example, imagine you are a Shopify store selling handmade jewelry. You have to start collecting reviews or importing them from around the web.

Here is how you would do that with Fera.

1. Download Fera from the Shopify App Store
2. Import your Etsy, Amazon, Google, Facebook, or AliExpress reviews
3. Set up automatic review request emails to collect video reviews. You can offer incentives like discounts, loyalty points, or cashback
4. Add review widgets to your store like
5. All Reviews Page
6. Photo & Video Review
7. Testimonial Carousel
8. Average Rating Badge
9. Let your reviews help you build trust and sell!

By showcasing customer reviews and photos of satisfied customers wearing the jewelry, potential buyers can see how the products look in real life and read about others' positive experiences.

This not only boosts brand visibility but also instills trust in the quality and authenticity of the products.

Alora Boutique Customer Photo Widget

2. Competitions

Running UGC competitions can drive customer engagement and expand your brand's reach. Encourage customers to create content such as photos, videos, or testimonials related to your products with the chance to win prizes or discounts. This not only generates buzz around your brand but also creates a sense of community among your customers.

Large Brand Example

Shoe retailer DSW hosted a UGC competition on social media, encouraging customers to share their favorite shoes and personal styles using the specific hashtag #DSWCutLoose. This user-generated content not only promotes their products but also builds a community of fashion enthusiasts.

Small Brand Idea

A Shopify store selling beauty products could run a competition where customers submit photos or videos of themselves using the products, with the chance to win a prize. This not only engages existing customers but also attracts new ones who are eager to participate.

3. Customer Collaboration

Collaborating with customers to create content can be a win-win situation. User-generated content generated in partnership with customers can be authentic, relatable, and effective in showcasing your products in real-life situations.

Consider featuring customer stories, testimonials, or even co-creating products with your audience to strengthen brand loyalty.

Large Brand Example

Outdoor retailer REI collaborates with customers to create inspirational content featuring their products in action. The brand encourages customers to tag them in their social posts in the hopes of being featured on the REI Instagram page.

By showcasing real experiences, they not only promote their brand but also appeal to outdoor enthusiasts seeking authentic recommendations.

Small Brand Idea

As you can see above, customer collaboration can be a powerful tool for increasing brand visibility and trust.

You can involve customers in the creation process, by going live and asking for input on new product designs or features. Doing this can create a sense of ownership and community around your brand.

This collaborative approach not only strengthens customer loyalty but also showcases your commitment to listening to and valuing customer feedback.

By incorporating these practical strategies for UGC in your Shopify store, you can enhance customer engagement, build trust, and drive sales effectively. Leveraging the creative power of your audience can set your brand apart and create a loyal customer base that advocates for your products organically.

Next, let's explore real-world examples of successful UGC campaigns and their impact on the eCommerce landscape.

Real-World Examples of Successful UGC Campaigns and Their Impact

Let's take a closer look at some real-world examples of successful UGC campaigns and the undeniable impact they've had on Shopify stores.

Example 1: Glossier

Glossier, a direct-to-consumer beauty brand, has effectively leveraged UGC to fuel its growth.

By encouraging customers to share their unedited selfies using Glossier products on social media with branded hashtags like #Glossier, the company has cultivated a community of brand advocates.

This authentic content not only showcases real people using their products but also serves as social proof, driving sales and increasing brand visibility.

Glossier TikTok

Example 2: Gymshark

Fitness apparel brand Gymshark has tapped into the power of UGC by featuring customer-generated workout videos on their website and social media channels.

By showcasing real customers achieving their fitness goals in Gymshark gear, the brand not only inspires others but also builds a strong sense of community and trust.

This form of UGC not only drives engagement but also reinforces the brand's positioning as a fitness authority.

Gymshark Women Instagram

Example 3: MVMT

Watch brand MVMT has harnessed UGC through their hashtag campaign #JoinTheMVMT. By encouraging influencers and customers to share photos of themselves wearing MVMT watches in their everyday lives, the brand has created a lifestyle narrative around their products.

This UGC strategy not only showcases the versatility of their watches but also allows customers to see themselves reflected in the brand, leading to increased sales and brand loyalty.

MVMT TikTok Hashtag

Impact of UGC Campaigns

These examples illustrate the tangible impact UGC can have on Shopify stores. By incorporating authentic UGC content in your marketing strategies, brands like yours can increase brand visibility, build trust with potential customers, and drive conversions.

UGC provides social proof, humanizes the brand, and fosters a sense of community among customers. As a Shopify store owner, tapping into the power of UGC can be a game-changer for your business, helping you stand out in a crowded digital marketplace.

Start Leveraging UGC for Increased Brand Visibility and Customer Trust

Unleash the Potential of UGC

To truly harness the power of UGC for your Shopify store, it's essential to be proactive and strategic in your approach. Encourage customers to leave reviews, offer incentives for sharing user-generated content, and actively engage with your community across social media platforms.

Look to successful brands like Gymshark, Glossier, or PelaCase, who have built thriving online communities by prioritizing UGC in their marketing strategies. By following their lead and embracing the creativity and enthusiasm of your customers, you can unlock new opportunities for growth, loyalty, and brand visibility.

Take Action Today

UGC is not just a trend; it is a valuable asset for Shopify store owners looking to connect with their customers authentically, drive sales, and build a loyal customer base. By embracing UGC and incorporating it into their marketing strategy, businesses can set themselves apart from the competition and create meaningful relationships with their audience.

So, what are you waiting for? Seize the opportunity to harness the power of UGC and transform your eCommerce business into a thriving, authentic community that resonates with your customers and drives tangible results.