Great ways to gather testimonials for your website

Testimonials are not just a nice thing to have on your website they, can be the difference between a client deciding to use your services or not. 

Why?

Because most of us trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. 

Why are testimonials so important on your website?

Testimonials are a powerful marketing tool that can significantly impact your website’s credibility, build trust with potential clients, and boost conversions.

By showcasing positive feedback from satisfied clients on your website, you establish social proof and validate your products or services. 

Yet lots of coaches and course creators struggle to gather testimonials consistently.

So let’s talk through effective techniques to acquire those all-important valuable testimonials for your website. 

Offer Exceptional Client Experiences

This may seem like a given, but time and time again I come across businesses that don’t always offer the best client experience. Often it’s not the service or product that is the problem but a lack of communication. Being slow to respond to enquiries or not offering post-session advice can leave a bad taste in the mouth of your clients. 

Remember it’s often the small things that make all the difference to a client. I would recommend creating a flowchart of your client’s journey – this will help you to see if there are any gaps in your own clients’ experiences.  

On my Funnel Experience program, I always throw in a bonus session a month or so after the program has finished so we can review everyone’s funnels. It’s not anything that I talk about or mention prior to them joining the course. I only mention it on our final call when everyone is lamenting that it’s come to an end.

What started as an impromptu idea for the first group has evolved into a staple add-on. It enables me to check in with everyone to make sure they’re on track and add a valuable extra that has a high perceived value.

Overdelivering in this way delights clients, makes them feel valued, and leaves a strong lasting impression.

And often, combined with the outcomes from the rest of the program, means that they would be willing to provide a testimonial of their experience.

The foundation of compelling testimonials lies in delivering exceptional client experiences. Focus on providing top-notch products, outstanding service, and exceeding clients’ expectations. By going above and beyond, you increase the likelihood of receiving glowing testimonials organically.

Timing is Key

How often have you had an exceptional client experience, thought about writing a testimonial then forgotten to do it because life got busy? I know that I have been guilty of this.

Many of your clients will be more than happy to give you a testimonial, sometimes the reason they don’t do it is because they simply forget. 

Hence why timing is so important! When is the right time to ask for a testimonial?

When their experience with you is still fresh in their mind. This could be immediately after a successful purchase, session or on completion of your course. Timeliness is crucial to ensure the testimonial reflects the client’s genuine satisfaction.

Make It Easy

In the same way that the wrong timing can prevent people from writing you a testimonial, not knowing how and where to write it can hold people back from doing so.  

Simplify your testimonial-gathering process by providing your clients with a seamless and user-friendly method. 

Offer multiple channels, such as online forms or dedicated testimonial submission pages. Include clear instructions, questions, or prompts that encourage specific feedback, making it easier for customers to provide meaningful testimonials.

Personalise Your Approach

Tailor your requests for testimonials to resonate with your clients. Address them by name, reference their specific experiences, and explain how their testimonials will benefit others. 

Personalised requests demonstrate that you genuinely value their opinion and increase the likelihood of a positive response.

Incentivise or Reward

Consider offering incentives or rewards to encourage clients to share their testimonials and experiences of your business. This could be in the form of discounts, exclusive access to new features, or entry into a giveaway. 

While it’s essential to maintain the authenticity of the testimonials, incentives can motivate clients to take the time to provide feedback.

Follow Up and Remind

Sometimes clients need a gentle reminder to submit their testimonials. It’s ok to follow up with a friendly email or phone call, reminding them of the request and the impact their testimonial will have on your business.

Persistence, without being pushy, can significantly increase the response rate.

Showcase Your Social Proof

To enhance the impact of testimonials, leverage social proof. Display testimonials prominently on your website, ideally on the homepage or product pages, where visitors are likely to see them. Include the customer’s name, photo, and any relevant affiliations or credentials to add credibility.

Utilise Various Formats

Text-based testimonials are fantastic but don’t limit yourself to just one format. Explore different mediums such as video testimonials, audio clips, or screenshots of social media comments, case studies or interviews.

Video testimonials work very well as it allows the viewer to experience the genuineness of the clients. Ultimately diversifying the presentation of testimonials adds variety and captures attention in different ways.

Encourage Detailed Testimonials

While short testimonials can be impactful, encourage customers to provide more detailed feedback. Ask them to elaborate on specific aspects of their experience, results achieved, or how your product or service solved their problem. In-depth testimonials add depth and authenticity, providing potential customers with valuable insights.

Request Permission for Attribution

When collecting testimonials, ask your customers for permission to attribute the testimonial to their name, company, or relevant identifying information. Testimonials that can be attributed to real individuals or businesses carry more weight and enhance credibility.

Conclusion

Testimonials have the power to shape customers’ perceptions and influence their purchasing decisions. By implementing the strategies outlined in this blog, you can acquire compelling testimonials that resonate with your target audience. Remember to prioritise exceptional customer experiences, streamline the testimonial-gathering process, and leverage social proof to make the most of this invaluable marketing.