Let's play a quick Would You Rather game.
Which soda would you rather drink... The one your family always buys or a new, untested brand?
Whose opinion would you rather trust... Your friend's or a random business'?
Isn't it remarkable how we hold our friends and family's opinions over anyone else's?
It makes you wonder...
Does good old word-of-mouth marketing still work? 🤔
Many marketing experts say it's still considered one of the eCommerce marketing strategies that work today. Let's dig deep into this to find out the answer.
Does Word Of Mouth Marketing Strategy Work in A Digital Age?
Let's begin with some facts gathered by reputable sources. This way, we can start with some well-studied data from well-known experts.
This proves one thing: Word-of-mouth marketing is potent. In fact, Jay Baer mentioned this in one of his famous talks.
Plus, 92% is a considerable percentage. Almost a hundred percent of the buying public will listen to people they are close to when making purchasing decisions. This percentage includes buying from eCommerce stores.
It's too obvious. But for the sake of clarity, let's just blurt it out: word-of-mouth marketing will persuade most website visitors.
Consumers would listen to what their friends and relatives say about a certain business, product, or service. They would take that over what they see on TV or websites.
What’s amazing about WOM marketing is that it works for different eCommerce brands. Will it be effective for you, too?
Yes, and many experts vouch for it as well.
If you have read this far, it's obvious that you are seriously looking for great ideas on word of mouth marketing for your ecommerce store.
Your instinct is serving you right. So keep reading and learn...
How To Maximize Word Of Mouth Marketing For Your eCommerce Store?
1. Make Sure You Have High-Quality Products
Newsflash: all your products should be superb. Period.
The thing is... this is non-negotiable.
Even if you're the best at marketing strategy and with a huge budget ready to be unleashed... those factors don't matter if your products are crappy.
That's right... even if you cover all the points we discuss here— you will never reach your goals if your store sells products or services that have poor quality.
That being said, here's the wisest thing to do for your word-of-mouth marketing: Make it a certainty to carry products or services that would over-deliver what your target audience wants.
How so?
You should provide each potential customer with items they would be happy to recommend to their friends.
How do you make sure you have quality products or services?
Ensure you are serving your target market well through those commodities. Make sure they are happy using the products that they buy from your store.
Whenever a happy customer uses the products, nice feelings and smiles emanate from their heart. That’s because they believe they are getting their money’s worth. And this makes them satisfied and content.
Basically, when you keep your customers happy, they will surely come back for more purchases.
To guarantee this happens, you must keep adjusting things here and there. Keep improving your eCommerce business' product list.
As you continue to run your eCommerce brand, you can fine-tune every tiny detail. Things will not be perfect immediately. But they will be if you keep enhancing details as you move from month to month.
Keep building your word-of-mouth marketing and...
2. Build Customer Trust
Trust plays a big role in your customers' buying decisions. It will directly influence their final thoughts before the purchase.
So, it is crucial to build a reputation and brand loyalty. Not only online, but also in real life with your current customers and potential customers.
People trust word-of-mouth recommendations of existing customers who have had a wonderful experience with your brand.
On top of that, 90% of people check reviews. Or, they ask their personal contact before deciding their future purchases. A positive review or positive conversations actively encourage people, which usually results in a purchase.
Also, it is wise to ask happy customers for written feedback and online reviews. These types of user-generated content boost your brand's reputation.
With this word-of-mouth marketing strategy, social media platforms such as Facebook page can do a great job.
Here's what you can do. Encourage user-generated content through your FB page members. Ask them for honest reviews about your products.
This kind of exposure will go a long way to make your marketing efforts gain solid ground.
Your word-of-mouth marketing strategy should also...
3. Give An Amazing Customer Experience
Do you want your customers to experience excellent customer service? Of course, you do!
Here's what you need to know: your battle cry should be... "go over and above what you have promised to deliver."
If you give them what they want and expect, you'll have satisfied customers. But in most cases, they won't talk about your product.
But if you go over and beyond what they paid for... they will surely go to the top of a mountain and shout, "Oh, how I love this product. Go buy it, too!"
You now have brand advocates for your eCommerce brand.
You may try to recall your own experience about something you bought or availed of in the past.
Say you bought a ticket to see a movie. Most of the online reviews include praise for the film director and the screenplay. It even mentions the cast's stellar performance. So it was a no-brainer for you to have scored the ticket.
When you finally went to see the movie, it exceeded your expectations.
Because of your experience, you encouraged all your friends to see the film. You did this not because the movie studio paid you to tell your friends about it. You did it because your needs were met... and the film even went beyond what you expected.
This is the kind of experience you want your loyal customers to have. This will seal the deal for them.
And because you surpassed their expectations, they will write positive reviews. They will tell their friends about it. And they will go out of their way to spread a positive word about your product.
Keep reading for more word-of-mouth marketing ideas...
4. Produce Engaging Content Consistently
Now, here's something that many eCommerce brands neglect.. Many pass the grade when creating or picking great products or services. They can also build a team to provide a great customer experience.
But here's something very important...
They fail to consistently produce compelling content. Many start well, but after a while, they falter.
Ultimately, they will stop producing engaging content. This type of failure negatively affects the store's marketing campaign and business model as a whole.
Crafting engaging content will usher in your customers to your online store often. If they are happy with what they see, they will return for more.
Let me explain.
For instance, your visitors always pick up something of value from your blog posts. Then, they will surely visit your blog repeatedly. More so if they get results from what you teach them in your content.
They will be satisfied and will absolutely love your brand for it.
If this happens often, you can be sure they will voluntarily endorse your products or services. You'll be a part of their personal recommendations.
Now, that's the perfect word-of-mouth marketing strategy!
Did you know that referral marketing can be a part of your word-of-mouth strategy? So try to...
5. Offer Rewards For Referrals
This is a given: People love referrals.
Therefore, it's natural to talk about a popular marketing idea: a referral program is another form of word-of-mouth marketing.
Establishing an effective official referral program, you help bolster buzz for your business.
Furthermore, consumers love incentives. Offering them discount coupons, cash, or a free gift in return for an endorsement through social media posts or likes will encourage their participation.
The result? Increased leads and, ultimately, sales.
Another non-traditional advertising you can use with a word-of-mouth marketing strategy is...
6. Reach Out To Influencers
These days, the opinions of industry influencers are gold. If you're not in influencer marketing... then you'd be out.
So, reach out to bloggers and other influencers with an online presence in your niche. Ask if they would agree to review your product in exchange for a sample.
Don't limit yourself by only going after people with a huge following.
Those with a smaller audience can, at times, provide much more favorable results. The smaller group of followers is usually more engaged in this scenario. This means that if you please them, you'll motivate them to say positive things about your store.
To complement your regular marketing tactics, look for opportunities to encourage WOM through influencer marketing.
Encouraging brand ambassadors to keep talking is essential for your eCommerce business.
Keep your ears glued to what your customers are saying. Respond. Then provide them a reason to spread positive rap (shiny things) about your business.
ECommerce businesses know how important the next WOM marketing strategy is...
7. Have A Strong Social Media Presence
Let's take it as it is. Presently—social media marketing is a bit like person-to-person marketing.
It's a good substitute for word-of-mouth marketing.
Here is the scenario: a person communicates with friends, associates, or colleagues. If they talk about your store in a positive light... the mileage that this creates will have a huge impact on your business.
Of course, you know there's no substitute for good old word-of-mouth marketing.
Getting an endorsement directly from a friend in person is way, way stronger than seeing your friend praising a product or a store on social media.
However, when you share your opinion on Twitter, Facebook, or any other social media platform for all to see, you're making a stand.
So, when an event like this happens, the impact is a bit like an in-person endorsement—almost similar to the word-of-mouth strategy.
Finally, word-of-mouth marketing needs to...
8. Incite Emotions
Did a TV advertisement ever make you sob like a baby?
Brands can elicit an emotional response from their customers.
In all probability, these brands have a bigger chance to gain from the magic of word-of-mouth marketing compared to their counterparts.
It has long been established that customers love to share their experiences with other customers and like to promote products that resemble their own values and beliefs.
For example, if you publish a post about your support for a certain charity, it may provoke strong positive feelings. You can form an emotional bond with your crowd if they feel the same way about that charity.
Consequently, this may generate social media shares as well.
With these helpful tips, you don't have to pay a lot for paid ads. All you need is good old organic word-of-mouth marketing!
So...
Are You Ready To Capture Your Crowd With Word Of Mouth Marketing?
Follow those points above, and you'll never go wrong!
Lastly, treat one customer like a king today and see what happens next. I'm sure they'll tell their friend about it right away.
A happy customer leads to a successful eCommerce business.
But do you know what your downfall could be?
When your eCommerce site looks out of style and freakishly slow.
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