Have You Heard? The Power of Testimonials
When looking for a new product or engaging a service for the first time, has approaching friends and family for recommendations been your go-to course of action? The answer is likely a resounding yes - we inherently give more weight to the words of the people, especially those we know, over that of a corporation and their advertising.
Testimonials refer to recommendations or favourable opinions that affirm the good qualities of a product or a service. Testimonials are an integral element which influence the choices that consumers make - so let’s explore its potential and power today.
The experience of consumers have changed along with the rapid pace of the world and its digital landscape. Search for a product or a service and thousands of search results are at their fingertips in an instant. Amidst this saturated pool of information, how do consumers choose which product to purchase or which service to engage?
In 2021, a Nielsen survey found that 89% of people most trust recommendations from people they know, referring to the power of word-of-mouth. Additionally, according to Vendasta, 92% of consumers read online reviews and testimonials when considering a purchase. Therefore, the opinions of others are something which consumers take heavily into consideration.
It is therefore important to create a system which allows for you to receive client feedback and to display testimonials to potential clients to aid in their decision making. As such, BCD has a YouTube channel showcasing both property for sale as well as interviews and testimonials. The testimonials of happy home owners who have found their dream property and have delighted in our services can be found here. These testimonials personalise the experience of home-buying and also serves to introduce our agents to potential home owners who may want to get a feel of our agents before choosing to engage our services.
Testimonials and referrals work because they allow both parties to feel good. The person providing the testimonial or referral feels happy to share a good product or experience they have had to people whom they care about and wish the best for, or hope to help others like them have pleasant experiences. Likewise, those who receive direct referrals from people they are acquainted with feel a sense of assurance that they will be able to purchase a quality product or engage a trust-worthy service. Providing testimonials function as a form of social capital as well, in which people giving and receiving them feel more bonded and part of a community which readily shares about good experiences they have had and wish to help others enjoy such experiences as well. Hence, it is important to provide your consumers or clients with the means and motivation to leave favourable testimonials.
Factors that contribute to a client’s likelihood to recommend your services or products to others include the provision of quality, the interaction they have with your product, service or staff, as well as incentives that may be provided for them. Ensuring that your offerings are of high quality and will be well-received by your target audience is the first step in making their experience an enjoyable and special one which they will remember and will thus be more likely to talk about to their friends and family. The importance of their experience is therefore tied directly to the interaction that they have with your product, service or staff. The provision of excellent customer service with sincerity and expertise, as well as making their interaction with your offerings seamless, will contribute to a pleasant interaction that will linger on the minds of your clients. Lastly, putting in place incentives such as referral discounts or other perks can provide your clients with a little extra motivation to recommend your products or services to others!
At BCD, we prioritise quality service personalised to the needs of our clients. If you’d like to learn more about how to connect with our clients and tailor experiences to their unique needs, feel free to contact us. At BCD, our focus is YOU.
