One of the biggest challenges for online stores is convincing hesitant buyers to complete their purchase. With this guide on how to add social proof to a Shopify checkout page, you’ll learn proven methods to gain customer trust at this crucial stage. After reading, you’ll be equipped with practical strategies to enhance credibility and drive more sales effectively.

What is social proof?

If you are not familiar with the term “social proof”, here is something that you should know.

Social proof is a psychological theory which is described as a phenomenon where people assume the opinions or actions of others as a guideline to perform their own behaviors in a given situation. For an easier-to-understand version, social proof happens when other people’s actions influence an individual’s action.

Whether you are familiar with the term or not, a high chance is your decisions have already been influenced by it throughout your life. Have you bought anything because of good reviews? Or joined an event because your friends recommended it? This is called “wisdom of the crowd” – in an unfamiliar situation, we are curious about how others act and if we can learn from them.

Why to have the Social Proof?

In the world of eCommerce, social proof is a powerful marketing method that is widely used to increase conversions. The more customers you can show that are using, approving, or enjoying your products, the more likely new customers will be convinced to buy from you. This is a generally accepted rule by entrepreneurs.

The most common forms of social proof can be listed as reviews, social media followers, testimonials, quality badges – things that show approval of a product and brand. For unknown brands, it is an amazing tool to make a buzz on the market because of all the good words. For seasoned businesses, it is concrete proof that they have provided a pleasurable service.

Moreover, Social proof works for eCommerce because it validates a choice based on honest opinions – which make a product worth someone’s time, money, or interest. Studies have shown that it can increase trust and make visitors more likely to buy too (83% of them trust reviews over advertising).

Benefits of adding social proof to the Shopify checkout page

Adding social proof to your Shopify checkout is a no-brainer because it builds trust at the most crucial point in the buying process. By presenting the image below, I will outline the main advantages of using social proof at checkout and explain why using social proof is so beneficial for your Shopify store.

How to add social proof to the Shopify checkout page

Building trust with customers is absolutely crucial, especially at the checkout stage, and using social proof is a great way to do that. That’s why I want to walk you through the process of adding trust badges to your Shopify checkout with the Avada Boost Sales app, which, in my experience, is a very user-friendly solution.

Step 1: Install the App

• Go to the Shopify App Store and search for “Avada Boost Sales Trust Badges”
• Click “Install” and follow the installation prompts

• Grant necessary permissions for the app to access your store

Step 2: Set Up Trust Badges

• In the Avada app dashboard, navigate to the “Trust Badges” section
• Choose from pre-designed badges or create custom ones
• Select badges that highlight security, guarantees, or certifications

Step 3: Customize Badge Design

• Adjust the size, color, and positioning of your chosen badges
• Ensure the design complements your store’s branding
• Preview how badges will appear on your checkout page

Step 4: Enable Sales Pop-ups

• Go to the “Sales Pop” section in the app
• Configure settings for recent sales notifications
• Customize the content and appearance of pop-ups

Step 5: Set Up Free Shipping bar

• Navigate to the “Free Shipping bar” feature
• Set your Free Shipping threshold and customize the message
• Choose placement options for maximum visibility

Step 6: Configure Display Settings

• Adjust when and where social proof elements appear
• Set display frequency and targeting options
• Ensure elements don’t interfere with the checkout process

Step 7: Test and Optimize

• Preview all social proof elements on your checkout page
• Conduct A/B tests to determine the most effective combinations
• Monitor conversion rates and adjust settings as needed

By following these steps, you can effectively add social proof to your Shopify checkout page, potentially increasing trust and conversions.

7 main forms of adding Social Proof to a Shopify Checkout Page

Let’s get into seven different forms of social proof that, from what I’ve seen, can make a real difference on your checkout page.

• Display trust badges: Show security seals, payment logos, and SSL certificates to reassure customers about the safety of their transactions. This builds credibility and reduces checkout abandonment.
• Show recent purchase notifications: Use pop-ups to display real-time notifications of recent orders. This creates a sense of popularity and urgency for potential buyers.
• Add customer testimonials: Include short, positive reviews from satisfied customers near the checkout button. Real feedback from other shoppers can boost confidence in the purchase decision.
• Highlight product ratings: Display the average star rating and number of reviews for the items in the cart. This reinforces the quality and popularity of the products being purchased.
• Showcase social media activity: Embed relevant social media posts or display follower counts to demonstrate your brand’s popularity. This can help build trust and show that others engage with your brand.
• Use scarcity indicators: Show low stock warnings or limited-time offers to create a sense of urgency. This can encourage customers to complete their purchases quickly.
• Display total customers served: Show the number of happy customers or orders fulfilled to highlight your store’s reliability. This metric can reassure new customers about your business’s track record.

Tips for adding Social Proof to a Shopify Checkout Page

Now, I’ll share some simple yet effective ways to add social proof to your Shopify checkout page and make it a place where customers feel secure.

Final thought

We’ve covered how adding social proof to your Shopify checkout page can boost customer confidence and encourage more purchases. For the best results, focus on showcasing genuine reviews, testimonials, and trust badges that align with your brand’s credibility.

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