What is Social Proof

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.

How can eCommerce use Social Proof?

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 foundation of community

People often look to others when deciding what to do, especially those who are like them or have similar interests. Online stores can use this by showing products in a way that makes customers feel connected and understood. By showing customers that they are not alone in the decision to view a product, add to cart or purchase

Why is Social Proof Important for eCommerce?

Online stores face a lot of competition. With so many options available, it can be hard to convince a customer to choose your store over others. Social proof helps by building trust and making customers feel more confident in their decision to buy. Here’s why social proof is so important:

  • Builds Trust and Credibility: Reviews and testimonials act like personal recommendations, showing others that your product or service is reliable
  • Reduces Worries About Buying: Shopping online can feel risky—customers may worry about product quality or delivery times. Social proof helps ease these concerns
  • Boosts Sales: Studies show that when people see others have approved and bought from a store, they’re much more likely to make a purchase too
  • Creates FOMO (Fear of Missing Out): When customers see others buying or recommending a product, they feel the urge to buy before it’s too late
Man with laptop on beanbag with floating social icons

Social Proof

It’s a game-changer

Think of it as the digital version of word-of-mouth marketing. When customers see others engaging with your products, they're more likely to trust your brand and make a purchase themselves.

Picture of a satchel with a social proof message floating below saying "offer ending soon, almost there! only 2 steps left to claim the 20% discount"

The Wisdom of Your Crowd®

With real-time feedback and recommendations, you can guide your customers through their shopping journey, from browsing to checkout, with confidence.

It's like having a built-in sales team, working 24/7 to showcase your products in the best light possible!

Customer-centric Data

By understanding your audience, we refine your offerings

We respect both the business's and the customer's intelligence and time by focusing on providing genuine, useful insights rather than overwhelming them with irrelevant data. It's about creating a more meaningful connection between your offerings and your audience's needs.

Imagine seeing a message like "147 sold in the last hour" instead of a generic "Buy Now" button.

It's subtle yet powerful, creating a sense of urgency and social validation that encourages customers to take action.

Man and women with cell phones with social proof message floating above them showing "147 sold in the last hour"

With Flockr, you can only go UP

Image showing how ROI can be boosted from +15% to +800%

The revenue uplift is immediate and clearly attributed to the Flockr Social Proof deployment.

Tangible results from day one

And the best part?

Social Proof isn't reserved for big brands or tech wizards. Whether you're a small business owner or an aspiring entrepreneur, integrating Social Proof into your website is easy and hassle-free.

What our clients say

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“The level of professional service provided was second to none, the team at Flockr were a pleasure to deal with and continue to add value to the overall Flockr experience”

Martin Brown

Founder & Owner - E-Bikeshop

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"The most obvious choice for a fully managed service to instantly increase conversion."

Meredith Doherty

Head of Ecommerce

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"The design of the messaging works really well across different devices and our placements across the site – it really stands out and we’ve seen some great results since!"

Jade Girgensons-Coates

Digital Project & Performance Manager

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"Flockr Social Proof amplifies the effect of other marketing efforts, you spend enough to bring customers to the store, Flockr ensures you convert them"

Charlotte Chapple

Head of Marketing

Customer Stories