Social proof is the idea that people look at what others are doing to decide how they should act in a situation. In simple terms, if others are doing something, we feel we should do it too.
This happens most when we’re unsure of what to do and believe others might know better. Also called “herd mentality,” social proof makes us trust choices that many others have made. It’s why we ask for advice, think crowded restaurants must be good, and why businesses show customer reviews and testimonials.
In digital marketing, it means people are more likely to read, share, or engage with your content if they see others doing it first.
A common example of social proof in online shopping is showing how popular a product is by displaying the number of views, items added to carts, or purchases made in a certain time period. For instance, a message like “83 people bought this product in the last 24 hours” makes customers feel a sense of urgency and fear of missing out.
Knowing that others have already bought the product helps customers feel more confident in their decision to buy it too. When people are unsure, they feel reassured by seeing that others have made the same choice.
By creating the feeling that everyone is buying the product, more customers are likely to follow. In today’s competitive market, even if a product is great, social proof can make a big difference in convincing people to buy.
The Wisdom of Your Crowd
We believe in the power of truth and relevance. Our approach isn't about selling harder—it's about illuminating the real value of your e-commerce. That's precisely what our Social Proof feature does: it taps into your e-commerce site in real-time, gathering and sharing authentic data with your customers. This means showcasing which products are genuinely trending and favoured among shoppers just like them, providing a transparent and trustworthy shopping experience.
Onsen aimed to optimise site conversion and elevate the customer experience by implementing subtle on-brand Social Proof Messaging that instills a greater sense of trust in the brand.
Our goal was to enhance the customer journey and foster a deeper connection with our audience, ensuring their confidence in Onsen's values and offerings. Discover how we transformed the browsing experience to deliver enhanced trust and conversion rates that speak volumes about our commitment to your satisfaction.
Flockr introduced Social Proof Messaging across all aspects of the customer journey, and are rolling out messaging to the growing list of brands in the Pattern Brands Group.
Offers real-time insights, answering customer questions before they hit 'send'.
Suggest relevant products, enhancing the shopping journey and customer satisfaction.
Anticipate needs, and guide confident decisions right where shoppers are searching.
We use real-time Social Proof Messaging to nudge your audience into becoming satisfied customers. This helps you track performance and gain insights into what drives retention in order to optimise your strategies for maximum impact.
Martin Brown
Founder & Owner - E-Bikeshop
Meredith Doherty
Head of Ecommerce
Jade Girgensons-Coates
Digital Project & Performance Manager
Charlotte Chapple
Head of Marketing
It’s your chance to see how our Social Proof services can transform your website and improve your revenue