8 Reasons Why Reading Product Reviews is Essential Before Buying

While reading them, notice if and how the manufacturer responds to each negative review about the product. Read further to find out if the issues complained about were resolved and if the company stuck to their promises of replacing items damaged during delivery, for instance. From reviews of those who have used it, you get to know if it works as described or not.

One of the most valuable sources of information for consumers is product reviews. In today’s digital age, online reviews significantly impact consumer behavior. Before purchasing, many people turn to online reviews to gather information about a product’s quality, performance, and reliability. These reviews provide valuable insights from real customers, helping others make informed purchase decisions. Being able to read other customers’ unfiltered reactions to a product can be invaluable. Just by scrolling through a few comments, online shoppers can gauge a product’s quality, find out how it held up over time, and sometimes even see photos and videos of it in real life.

• More than 99% of American consumers read online reviews before making purchases; reviews influence 93% of consumers’ purchasing decisions.
• No one can tell you that the ideal mix for reputational success is 95% positive and 5% negative reviews out of a perfect 1,000 reviews.
• Good Housekeeping offers more than just food and lifestyle information.
• Positive reviews are powerful social proof, influencing potential buyers’ purchasing decisions and boosting sales.
• Here’s more on why and how analysis should be an integral part of your Ratings & Reviews program.

If the first few reviews are positive, they create a lasting good perception of the product, even if the following comments are negative. Additionally, many people rely on ratings because they prefer not to spend time thoroughly researching a product and trust the apparent majority instead. Reading reviews can give you a sense of the quality and reliability of a product or service. Positive reviews can reassure you about your choice, while negative reviews can alert you to potential issues. Consumers know that a product — no matter how good — can’t be all things to all people. By displaying negative reviews, you’re letting shoppers know you have nothing to hide.

Additionally, consumers should be wary of reviews that seem too perfect, too vague, or too similar, as they may be fake or generated by bots. Another way to boost your website’s credibility and trustworthiness is by featuring customer testimonials on your homepage. This gives potential customers a quick glimpse of the positive experiences others have had with your products or services. By highlighting the satisfaction of previous customers, you can build confidence in new visitors and encourage them to explore further and make a purchase.

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Today, 99.9% of consumers say they read reviews when shopping online at least sometimes. Of those shoppers, 61% say they always read reviews and a third indicate they do aliexpress shipping so regularly. While product reviews can be a valuable resource for consumers, they also have some drawbacks that should be taken into account. On the positive side, product reviews can save consumers time, effort, and money by avoiding products that don’t meet their expectations or needs, and highlighting products that do.

Online reviews have become a trusted source of information that can make or break our consumers’ purchase decisions. Whether we’re hunting for a new gadget, choosing a new restaurant, or booking a vacation, online reviews often guide us. These testimonials from fellow consumers provide insights and experiences that influence whether we click “Buy” or keep scrolling.

“I like the way consumers share their own views and what they have experienced regarding what they have purchased. It helps enormously to make a quick decision.” Our analysis on the conversion impact of different review display features is a good place to start though. Here are some ideas on how to leverage your review content in your own marketing. So be sure you have a collection strategy in place to ensure shoppers can always find fresh, recent review content.

Leveraging Positive Reviews for Promotion

You might find a similar product that’s more affordable, eco-friendly, or better suited to your lifestyle. A poorly informed purchase can lead to wasted money and frustration. Product reviews help you avoid these pitfalls by uncovering issues you might not have considered.

Strikingly offers a user-friendly platform for integrating customer reviews on your website. You can easily add a review section to your product pages, allowing customers to share their experiences with your products. This feature helps build trust and credibility, as potential buyers can see honest feedback from previous customers before purchasing. 79% of shoppers specifically seek out websites with product reviews.

Personal preferences such as age, gender, race, level of involvement, and other factors have a role in purchasing decisions. Regarding purchasing decisions, the level of involvement has a significant effect. Customers typically develop an emotional reaction to the goods, and they frequently express this reaction in the reviews. Suppose you have yet to include an area for consumer product reviews on your eCommerce website out of pure apprehension that some reviews would be unfavorable.

While these promotions can be enticing, they don’t always reflect the true quality or value of a product. Reading reviews allows you to separate the hype from reality and make an objective assessment based on user experiences. The date attached to a review can also have a big impact on how seriously a potential customer takes it. In a 2019 Influenster survey, shoppers said reviews written in the past month were more trustworthy than older reviews. If a review is written in the past few weeks, you can feel fairly certain that you’ll receive a very similar product. Reviews that are years old, on the other hand, might leave you wondering whether the brand has changed its manufacturing, packaging, or business practices since then.

While positive reviews are valuable for promotion, addressing negative reviews is equally essential for maintaining brand reputation. Acknowledging customer concerns and resolving issues publicly demonstrates a commitment to customer satisfaction. Businesses can turn dissatisfied customers into loyal advocates by responding thoughtfully to negative feedback and offering solutions. This proactive approach to managing negative reviews showcases transparency and dedication to providing exceptional products and service.

In line with this research, our most recent survey found that nearly half (46%) of consumers are suspicious of products with a perfect average star rating (five out of five). Three-quarters of consumers say that quantity is something they consider when reading reviews. And as mentioned earlier in this report, the largest portion of consumers (53%) typically read between one and 10 reviews before making a purchase. Of course, the quantity of reviews a shopper reads varies depending on the product they’re purchasing.

The impact of product ratings cannot be understated, as they heavily influence the credibility and popularity of a product or brand. By leveraging customer feedback, businesses can better understand consumer sentiment and continuously improve their offerings. When it comes to writing a compelling product review, it’s important to start by choosing the right product to review. Look for products that you have personal experience with and can provide valuable insights about. Once you’ve chosen the product, focus on structuring your content effectively by including relevant details and organizing your thoughts in a clear and logical manner.

The volume and diversity of reviews play a crucial role in the perception of a company’s reputation, but there is no perfect formula. No one can tell you that the ideal mix for reputational success is 95% positive and 5% negative reviews out of a perfect 1,000 reviews. Yes, customers trust brands with a large number of reviews because it creates an impression of popularity and reliability. However, it’s equally important for reviews to be diverse and cover various aspects of the product or service. This allows potential buyers to get a comprehensive understanding of the product and make an informed decision about whether to purchase it. To sum up, reading product reviews before making a purchase is an essential step that you should never skip.

Ian’s writing, videos, and interviews have garnered millions of reads, views, and listens. To sum it up, consumers read reviews to find information they can trust. And now more than ever, it’s trust that has the most power to convert and sell. We’ve provided five research-backed reasons that will help you better understand your customers and fine-tune your review strategy. Strikingly’s platform allows you to customize the review sections on your website to match your brand’s aesthetic and style.

This content allows them to understand the worst case scenario — and determine whether it’s something they can live with. Displaying this content can help you build trust with your shoppers — and drive sales. Check out this blog for ideas on how to best leverage negative reviews. Reviews are so influential that many shoppers simply won’t make purchases without reading this content first. In fact, 86% of consumers don’t purchase products online without reading reviews, up from 70% in 2018.