Your website plays an important role in attracting, converting, and retaining customers. This is why it is essential that you include elements that will improve engagement and build trust with prospective clients.
If you have scrolled through a website recently, you might have noticed testimonials and social proof that attest to the company’s success. Although this might seem unnecessary, including this information on your homepage can offer a plethora of benefits.
In fact, as many as 88 percent of users claim that testimonials are as convincing to them as personal recommendations. This is a sure indication that social proof and testimonials deserve your attention and a spot on your website.
To help you include this information, we have curated a list of five WordPress testimonial plugins. You’ll also find a guide on how to choose the correct option and a few tips to use your preferred option correctly.
Top Five WordPress Testimonial Plugins to Consider
If you are looking for a tool that is easy to use, highly rated, and offers a host of features, then we highly recommend considering these five plugins:
When listing reviews and testimonials on your WordPress site, it’s important to include visual elements to improve engagement. Things like stars for ratings and real pictures of customers can make a world of difference.
Stars Testimonials is a highly-rated plugin that lets you include all this and more. Use grid layouts and column displays to position your social proof perfectly, and enjoy the freedom to edit the widget to your heart’s content to ensure that it blends in seamlessly.
Plus, with a 30-day money-back guarantee, a free plan to get you started, and paid prices that start at $25 billed annually, what more can you ask for in a WordPress testimonial plugin?
Strong Testimonials
Strong Testimonials allows you to construct new testimonials in the same manner that you might develop a new post or webpage. It will require supplying details such as an email address, business or customer name, and an image.
The plugin allows you to create different grids, lists, or carousels, each with its own unique design and function. However, the company behind it does not appear to offer a free plan. Package prices begin at $29 per year, which allows you access to limited features.
Site Reviews
Site Reviews is an innovative WordPress plugin that is intended to function similarly to popular review sites such as Yelp and Amazon.
This plugin has a variety of admirable qualities, including widgets, shortcodes, customer support in multiple languages, and more. It’s an excellent solution for anyone looking to present recommendations and social proof in an orderly and appealing way.
Moreover, it is free to use. However, keep in mind that features on the free plan are limited, so to enjoy full functionality, you will need to upgrade to a paid package.
Testimonial Slider
Testimonial Slider is another option worth considering. It allows you to incorporate widgets on your website in just a few minutes. The best thing is that you do not need to be proficient in programming to use it.
You can display your customer reviews using an easy-to-use slider and the plugin lets you apply grid layouts and more. Plus, with an intuitive editor, you can ensure that your testimonials blend in with your website and earn the attention they deserve.
Ultimate Blocks
Last, but not least, is Ultimate Blocks. This is a fantastic Gutenberg block plugin with a plethora of unique blocks. It includes a robust testimonial block that allows you to show off client reviews professionally. You can also display the reviewer’s name, photo, and job title.
Ultimate Blocks allows you to make extensive customizations to each of its blocks, ensuring that your testimonials are not an eyesore when included as part of your website. It is downloadable for free.
Choosing the Right WordPress Testimonial Plugin
While we have certainly narrowed down the options for you, there can only be one plugin tool for your WordPress site. The truth is that the one you go for will depend on your unique needs. Here are a few factors to consider before taking your pick:
Features and Functionalities
One of the most important aspects to consider is the functionality of your plugin. Ideally, it should contain the features you require to include effective and impactful testimonials and social proof on your website.
Look for the ability to include star ratings, customer images, company logos, and editing tools that give you the freedom to edit as much as you need to.
Recommended read: 7 Ways Testimonials Can Help You Improve Social Proof
Ease of Use
There’s nothing more frustrating than having fantastic features but not knowing how to use them. Make sure the option you choose is user-friendly and easy to navigate.
Design and Customization Options
Every website is different, and the goal is for the WordPress testimonial plugins to blend in seamlessly. To do this, your chosen software will need to have a comprehensive set of editing tools, allowing you to create the perfect grid or slider to showcase your testimonials.
Budget
Another important consideration is how much you are willing to spend. Make sure the option you choose falls within your budget to avoid overspending. There are also a number of free options available.
However, it is important to look at the features being offered and decide whether it will be worthwhile or if switching to a paid package would make this important element on your website more impactful.
Tips for Using WordPress Testimonial Plugins Effectively
Once you have chosen your plugin successfully, it’s important to ensure that you are using it correctly. In this next section, we’ll offer a few tips to help you make the most of your testimonials.
How to Collect High-quality Testimonials
To take advantage of testimonials and social proof, it’s important to get quality feedback from clients. Here are a few tips to help you do this:
- Ask satisfied customers directly. The truth is that customers may forget to leave you a review if they are satisfied with your service. They may also feel like their input is unnecessary. However, by asking for this specifically, you can ensure that you are indeed getting quality reviews to add to your website.
- Offer incentives for submitting testimonials. By providing a discount on their next order or including a free product with their order when they leave a review, you are more likely to receive a high rating.
- Use clear and concise guidelines for submission. Those who are not tech-savvy may not know how to post reviews, so by providing comprehensive guidelines or by telling them exactly what factors to include in their review (quality, delivery time, affordability, etc.), you can obtain great testimonials.
Tips for Displaying Testimonials Strategically
When you have obtained ratings and reviews, it’s important to ensure that they are working to build trust with the end user. Here are a few tips to help you out:
- Place testimonials on key landing pages and product pages. Placement is important. By putting your testimonials in strategic places, you can ensure that they are more effective.
- Use visual elements like images and videos. Research has shown that users are more likely to engage with video and graphic content, so aim to include these formats to ensure that potential customers are impacted.
- Integrate testimonials with calls to action. Your testimonials should be working to convert website visitors to paying customers. By prompting the user to take action, you can make your social proof more effective.
Final Thoughts
Testimonials and social proof are important to help grow your business. By building a relationship of trust with the end user, you can turn website visitors into paying customers. To help you make the most of your customer ratings and reviews, we have reviewed five great testimonial plugins.
If you’re looking for a tried-and-tested WordPress testimonial plugin that offers a host of features, is easy to use, and is affordable, then why not give Stars Testimonials a try? Install it today to enjoy all the benefits it has to offer!
