It’s officially Spring, hooray! When our thoughts turn to sprucing up the yard and tackling that list of landscaping or home improvement projects. But this year, it’s not so simple. Stores are shut or open for reduced hours. Supply chains disrupted. Millions of people must stay indoors, observe social distancing and remain close to home if they venture out.
This summer, the creature comforts of our homes and outdoor spaces are going to be more important than ever. And if we can’t drive to the store, we can buy the supplies and products we need online. Which means big box DIY stores, garden centers and other leisure equipment retailers are going to be welcoming extra customers to their websites, many for the first time. It’s important all those shoppers have a positive eCommerce experience. Social proof messaging can help.
Social proof messaging acts like a virtual sales associate, helping consumers quickly find what they’re looking for, compare products and make good purchases. It also promotes a sense of community and builds confidence for newbie shoppers across a whole range of garden and outdoor products:
Outdoor home goods and furniture. Many home and outdoor goods are big and bulky items which shoppers might be reluctant to buy without viewing in person. Social proof reassures (‘Good choice – 24 people have bought this today’); it shows others have the confidence to buy a $170 cast iron firepit kit unseen.
Plants. The right messages can help the not-so-green-fingered navigate unfamiliar plant species, see what’s available (‘18 of these in stock’) and keep them company (‘14 people are looking at this right now’). Pinpointing popular buys and sharing detailed plant information can help customers narrow down their choices and make the right decision.
Big ticket items. Tool sheds, patio furniture sets and children’s play equipment are all high consideration, relatively expensive items. Social proof is confirmation that other folks have already bought a $500 cedarwood playhouse online. It’s evidence that you’re doing the right thing. Retailers who use Bazaarvoice or a similar service can also display messages that aggregate opinions and reviews, such as ‘90% of customers gave this product five stars’, which further creates confidence about the transaction.
Right now, we want consumers to make good choices, to make the right purchase with their budget and buy items that will add to their enjoyment and comfort at home. With this in mind, Taggstar is prioritising onboarding for new retailers and websites. Our Customer Success Team can craft the right messages, test their effectiveness and have social proof messaging up and running in a matter of days. We’ll offer every support so that you can give your customers the best possible online experience this spring.
