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Off the top of your head, name three things that can make or break your sales numbers.
Your product quality, marketing strategy, and customer service may all come to mind.
But did you know that one of the most powerful tools in your sales arsenal is something that doesn’t even come from your own team?
We’re talking about real customer reviews, testimonials, and user-generated content (UGC).
These pieces of social proof can greatly influence a prospective buyer’s decision to purchase from your clothing brand.
According to a report by Trustpilot, 88% of shoppers proactively search for customer reviews before making an online purchase.
As you can see, what people think can have a huge impact on your bottom line. The reviews people share online curate the public perception of your brand, whether you like it or not.
But the good news is that you can use this power to your advantage.
Want to know how to use real customer feedback to skyrocket your sales? Read on—we’re about to share effective strategies for collecting and showcasing genuine reviews of your clothing.
Maximize Your Sales with Scrappy Apparel!
Why Customer Reviews, Testimonials, and UGC Matter For Clothing Brands
Before we go any further, let’s define a few key terms we’re about to discuss in detail:
- Customer Reviews: These are authentic assessments, feedback, or opinions shared by customers, typically after they’ve worn your clothing.
- Testimonials: These are written or recorded statements that praise your products. They come from happy customers!
- User-Generated Content (UGC): This is any form of content, such as images, videos, text, and audio, that has been posted by users on online platforms. The goal of most UGC campaigns is to put your products in the spotlight!
These three forms of customer feedback create a ripple effect in the vast ocean of online shoppers. Here’s how they can make a significant impact on your clothing brand:
Boosting Brand Trust
When potential customers read authentic feedback from people who have already used your products, their confidence in your brand rises. It’s like getting a personal recommendation from a trusted friend.
Enhancing Brand Image
Positive reviews and UGC give prospects a glimpse into the quality of the products you offer. They showcase customer satisfaction firsthand. This elevates your reputation.
Influencing Purchase Decisions
When potential customers are on the fence about purchasing, positive reviews, testimonials, or UGC can tip the scales in your favor.
Having positive feedback readily available can significantly increase the likelihood of conversions and sales for your clothing brand.
What Can You Do with Customer Feedback?
Showcasing customer reviews, testimonials, and UGC can seem a bit daunting at first, but with the right strategies, it becomes a cakewalk.
Let’s explore the various ways you can harness the power of customer feedback to boost your sales and credibility.
@pickyviky29 @ZARA minimal fall fit inspo 😎🍁 #zarahaul2023 #zarafallfashion #zara #minimalstyleoutfit #zaraboots #zarablazer #zaraleatherjacket #zaraunboxinghaul #fallfashiontrends #ugcfashioncreator #ugcfashionexample ♬ original sound – be_viky
UGC example from TikTok creator @pickyviky29.
Collecting Reviews and UGC
The first step is to actively seek and collect customer reviews, testimonials, and UGC.
Consider sending follow-up emails to customers after they’ve received their purchase, politely asking for their feedback. To do this, you can use CRM software to implement an automated email sequence. No need to do it manually!
For UGC, engage your audience through social media campaigns, inviting them to share photos of them wearing your products with a unique hashtag.
We recommend creating a fun and memorable branded hashtag to encourage participation. The more creative, the better!
Showcasing Feedback on your Website
Have a solid base of reviews, testimonials, and UGC?
Great! The next step is to strategically showcase these on your website to maximize their impact. Here’s how you can do it:
- Create a dedicated review page: This is a space on your website where all customer feedback can live. Potential buyers can browse through all the reviews and gain a comprehensive understanding of the experiences of your previous customers. There are Shopify apps that can help you display reviews on your site. You can also embed reviews from Google or other sources.
- Spotlight reviews on product pages: Place glowing testimonials and product-specific reviews on their respective product pages. This allows potential buyers to directly see the positive experiences of previous customers, significantly increasing the likelihood of a purchase.
- Leverage UGC in product images: Use actual images from your customers as product images. Seeing real-world examples of your products in use can be far more convincing than airbrushed professional photos. You can create a “Shop the Look” feature where visitors can shop directly from customer photos.
Kim Kardashian’s wildly popular loungewear brand, Skims, features UGC prominently on its home page.
- Include testimonials in your marketing materials: Incorporate positive reviews in your newsletters, emails, and even promotional banners.
The key here is to show the real-life value and satisfaction your products deliver, influencing your customers to purchase your products without screaming “BUY ME!” at them directly.
Leveraging Positive Reviews in Marketing
You can use your positive reviews in your marketing efforts to strengthen your brand’s reputation and reach. You can do this in several ways:
- Social Media Promotion: Share your best reviews and testimonials on your social media platforms. Seeing positive reviews will instill confidence in your followers and can pique the interest of potential customers. You can create impactful graphics that highlight your best reviews, or even repost UGC directly. Just make sure you get permission from the original poster—and give them credit for their work, of course!
- Email Marketing: Including a short testimonial in promotional emails could be the push a potential buyer needs to make a purchase.
- Paid Advertisements: Positive reviews can also be used in paid advertisements. Testimonials can make your ads stand out and portray your brand in a positive light.
- PR and Media Outreach: If you receive a particularly glowing review, consider sharing it with media outlets related to your industry. A positive review can act as a strong endorsement and could attract coverage.
Responding to Negative Reviews
While it’s exhilarating to acquire positive reviews, it’s also crucial to remember that responding to negative reviews is equally important.
Negative feedback presents an opportunity for improvement. Responding to it professionally demonstrates to customers that you actually value their experiences.
Even if you receive negative feedback that feels cruel, respond calmly.
Doing so can help diminish the impact of the negative review and show potential buyers that you care about customer satisfaction.
By keeping a positive mindset and removing emotion from the situation, you can turn a negative review into an opportunity to showcase your brand’s excellent customer service.
How to Get Customers to Share Their Thoughts
Getting customers to open up about their experiences isn’t always a straightforward process. It requires an active, well-planned approach that respects customers’ time and offers them a platform to voice their opinions.
Here’s how you can get your customers to open up and share their thoughts with the world!
Make It Easy to Leave Reviews
Simplicity is key when it comes to collecting reviews. If the review process is too complex or time-consuming, customers are likely to abandon it. Provide clear instructions and streamline the feedback process as much as possible.
Integrating a straightforward review form within follow-up emails or directly onto product pages can make the process more user-friendly.
Offer Incentives for Reviews and UGC
While it’s unnecessary (and unethical) to pay for positive reviews, offering small incentives can motivate customers to provide their feedback.
For example, you could:
- Provide a discount on an upcoming purchase
- Offer extra points within your loyalty program
- Enter your customer into a giveaway
Incentives can encourage more customers to leave reviews and post UGC featuring your products! To do this ethically, make sure you incentivize “honest” reviews rather than “positive” ones.
Request Photos or Videos Alongside Written Reviews
Text-based reviews are great, but photos and videos can often speak louder. Encourage customers to share photos or videos of them wearing your apparel alongside their written review.
Engage With Reviews and UGC
Finally, don’t just collect reviews and UGC—engage with them. Reply to reviews, like and comment on UGC posts, and show your customers that you appreciate their feedback.
@juliusagen Yeezy gap balenciaga no seam tee review #yeezygapbalenciaga #yeezygap #kanyewest #yeezy #fashion #streetwear #outfitinspo ♬ Vivre Pour Vivre – Francis Lai
UGC example from TikTok creator@juliusagen.
Want More 5-Star Reviews? Get Support From a Partner Like Scrappy Apparel!
At Scrappy Apparel, we have engineered our unique 3PL MGMT program to help brands deliver a five-star customer experience.
Here’s a snapshot of what you can expect by partnering with us:
Seamless Customer Experience
Through our comprehensive suite of apparel manufacturing, fulfillment, and e-commerce solutions, we empower brands to offer their customers a seamless shopping journey.
Our diligent inventory management and swift order processing ensure that every customer receives their order punctually—and in impeccable condition.
Focus on Brand Development
By letting Scrappy Apparel manage your backend operations, you gain the freedom to concentrate on what you do best – design and brand development.
This synchronization enables you to channel more energy into crafting high-quality products and captivating marketing strategies.
Quality Assurance
Our direct oversight of the entire supply chain ensures uniformity and unrivaled quality from production to delivery. This sets the stage for customers to consistently receive top-notch products, thus enhancing customer satisfaction and the likelihood of positive reviews.
Ready to Elevate Your Brand?
Our solutions are designed to help you scale up exponentially in 2024. You’ll never outgrow us!
Experience firsthand the difference a dedicated, quality-centered partner can make in your business. Together, we’ll streamline your supply chain, boost your sales, and deliver an unmatched experience to your customers.
