In all honesty, I’m not a huge affiliate marketing guy. I have made a few sales here and there in my “dot com life”, but nothing big. Come to think of it though, I produce so little sales online that I can’t even remember when the last one was. Nonetheless, there is one thing I do remember. As I’ve mentioned in other posts, I have run a number of niche sites, used to sell products from affiliate programs like Neverblue. What I noticed is that the sales that I have made came from sites with testimonials.
I am NOT saying that having testimonials will assure sales – nope, obviously not. Nothing is guaranteed online. But I AM saying that using testimonials to increase sales is effective. I’m speaking from first hand experience, and I’m sure some of my fellow affiliate marketing guru readers can back up what I am saying as well.
Now, you have to remember that not any testimonial will be effective. There is a difference between effective testimonials, and ineffective testimonials. Let’s look at some factors that make a testimonial effective.
Credibility
If the testimonial is not credible, you might as well not use it. On the internet today, advertisements are everywhere – it’s like a live marketplace. In order to actually sell something, you need to come off as credible. Make sure the testimonial is not too over dramatic over how effective and great the product(s) are.
Evidence
Testimonials are like evidence. If you say the product will make you look twenty years younger, then a testimonial saying “I look like 20 years longer thanks to this product!” would be extremely effective. You can have a whole landing page of writing, but without the testimonials, that landing page full of juicy content is nothing. I will explain why in the next and part.
Ending
The testimonials bring “closure” for the potential buyer. They may have read the whole landing page, but in order to buy the product you are selling, they want to read what others had to say about the product. Not having testimonials at the end is like writing a story without an ending.
I haven’t given away any magical affiliate marketing secret here, but it is definitely something I’ve seen people forget about. Like I said, it WILL boost your sales. If you have a landing page without testimonials, it would be fair to say that you’re letting money slide out of your hands. Add some testimonials and get a hold of all that potential profit!
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Testimonials sell me all the time. Where testimonials really sell you is when the testimonial relates really personally to an actual problem you are having that the sales page does not address. You think, “Oh cool… it does that too. I have had that problem for months now and no idea how to fix it” and voila… you are sold.
One thing to avoid is to use fake testimonials on your sales page, as they can be spotted pretty quickly.
I never trust sites that just use someone’s first name and initial after the testimonial like… Sue J. (Memphis)
The best ones are when they use their full names and their website address, plus these are these easiest ones to get, as the person giving the testimonial gets free traffic from the sales page. It’s a win-win situation!
I agree completely Doug! I should have pointed that out in the post. It is so easy to spot a fake testimonial. Honestly, if the testimonial does not come alongside the individuals website address, or email, or SOMETHING, I honestly have a very hard time believing it is legitimate.
I still do not get why people for some reason get higher thoughts about a products when people they have never met recommend it. Take TV shop for an example. Endless of hired actors telling how great the product is and why they should buy it.
That is a thought provoking point. Obviously one would be a lot more inclined to buy a product if let’s say their friend, or brother, told them it is a great product.
My point is, a testimonial from someone you know is obviously much more effective than one from someone you do not even know. Nonetheless, I think testimonials from random people still is better than no testimonials. If the testimonial includes the persons website address or something (as Doug said above), I would definitely trust it more.
I agree with you. If you are able to check who made the testimonial I can understand it, but nameless people with just a photo? I guess everyone is getting influenced, including me, even though we do not want to accept it.
Yeah, I know what you mean. We also have to realize that not all people are as smart as me and you
Some people are “tricked” into buying things from a simple photo and a few lines, with no definite proof that it is a legitimate testimonial. I, on the other hand, would definitely not base my purchase on a picture and a few lines. Thing is though, we are usually not selling to other affiliate marketers. We are selling to average person who will probably always think the testimonials are always completely real.
Makes me think about Voltaires quote: “common sense is not so common”.
It’s obvious that having a testimonial with a small photo of the client will give evidence to the work you have done.
I had testimonials on my Advertise page and looking to put photos of my clients soon.
Yeah, that’s another great point. The best testimonials are those with photos. A testimonial without a photo is not very effective.
If one wants to take their marketing a step further, they should consider using video testimonials. Nothing is better than seeing a video of a customer giving a “thumbs up” for the product.
Testimonials are great way to increase sales. It gives your buyers a level of comfort to business with you.
I have been planning of using testimonials on my blog but haven’t got the kick for it.
I’m with you all the way!
Hey, that’s a pretty neat idea — testimonials on a blog. You got me thinking now.
Be sure to let me know if you end up doing it. I’d love to see how they look on your blog.
Yes I will keep you informed. In case I forget please have a look at my blog in future. If I use Testimonials I will surely be posting a article to let others know.
Sounds good. I’ll keep an eye out!
Absolutely, one or more credible testimonials will definitely make the difference for me as a buyer. It really does help if there is a link to the person’s own website or some other way to show that it’s not just another cheesy fake ad. I definitely am more inclined to buy online when something has good reviews by people who have profiles or other evidence that they are *real*.
Yeah, exactly. For example, if the testimonial linked to a reputed blogger, I would not doubt it at all. On the other hand, if the testimonial was simply from “John Doe”, I wouldn’t be as confident and inclined to buy.
We currently use testimonials on our limousine blog and customers love it!
I noticed that when I had a look a while ago. Good job John!
Btw, how exactly does your Limousine service work. Is it based all around the USA, or just in one state?
Genuine testiminoals can be impactful & really attractive. However as many false & typically sale statements we all go through as testimonials that I would say the tool would need detailed attention to give authenticity.
Yeah, you’re right. I can easily tell which testimonials are real, and which are straight up BS (well, I can tell MOST of the time).
testi is one of the best prove to make people believe on what we sell…
Yeah, you’re right.
Testimonials basically give the potential buyer a feel that someone has used this product before and has profited from it. So, he is always sure that he is not alone and he is not the first one using the product.
It really proves to be of great help when it comes to internet business!
Yeah, I agree. Although it is not the only thing I consider when looking at a product, it sure helps to see some testimonials.
Testimonial are a good way to make a good presentation of your service to the other buyers..
I like taking testimonials of people who advertised on my blog for long time and putting it up on my blog..It really helps a lot..
Yeah, I’ve also find it helps a lot. Then again, the testimonials need to be credible, or else they are pretty much useless.
Indeed using testimonals can help increase sales online in a long term with all its evidences described below.
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