Product Reviews

How Online Reviews Are Transforming Marketing
March 6, 2017 at 9:17 am

Nowhere is change more persistent than in modern marketing organizations. However, change is happening at a much faster pace than ever before in the way businesses communicate with customers. The balance of power in branding has shifted — the customer is now in charge. Gone are the “mad men” days of the 1950s, characterized by…

How to Leverage Customer-Generated Content Across the Shopping Journey
February 21, 2017 at 9:30 am

In today’s omnichannel world with hyperconnected consumers, leveraging customer-generated content has proven to be a powerful way to accelerate sales. Data shows most people rely upon reviews to validate their purchase decisions. In fact, the vast majority of FitForCommerce retail clients have found that ratings and reviews have positively influenced overall sales. It’s no wonder…

Critics Leaving Bad Amazon Reviews on Ivanka Trump Products
December 23, 2016 at 10:32 am

Critics of President-elect Donald Trump and his oldest daughter Ivanka are letting their voices be heard — on Amazon.com. These critics are leaving bad product reviews on Ivanka’s fashion and beauty products. One review on a pair of boots reads, “These boots were perfect for wiping my feet on the Constitution and trampling the civil…

5 Steps to Visual Content Success
December 13, 2016 at 9:09 am

Visual content (e.g., photos and videos) has become an expected part of the path to purchase for consumers. Visual information can play a big role in building trust and influencing customer behavior. Here are five tips for brands and retailers looking to better attract and convert shoppers by leveraging user-generated visual content:

Lost in the Website Woods: Optimize Your Site for Better Conversion Rates
November 30, 2016 at 9:28 am

How is your website doing? Are your users heading straight to you, navigating every button click until they convert into a sale? Or are they more like Little Red Riding Hood, wandering in the woods and losing their way? Even the most beautiful landing page means nothing if you’re losing users before they cross the…

Incentivized Product Reviews Nixed by Amazon
October 4, 2016 at 10:09 am

Paying for Amazon.com customer reviews is officially a thing of the past. On Monday, the company announced that it was ending the policy of “incentivized reviews.” This occurred when sellers used pay-for-play techniques to compensate people for writing positive products reviews in order to help the seller win the “Buy Box” spot. Amazon said the…

4 Ways Retailers Can Go Toe-to-Toe With Amazon
September 12, 2016 at 11:16 am

Today’s consumers have near-limitless options when it comes to researching and purchasing products. E-commerce giants like Amazon.com — equipped with a variety of products, ratings and reviews, and competitive shipping rates matched by few — have wide appeal for information-hungry consumers. However, smaller merchants shouldn’t give up hope. By leveraging user-generated content (UGC), including ratings…

How Room & Board is Using Customer Reviews to Drive Sales
September 8, 2016 at 10:19 am

Room & Board is a Minneapolis-based retailer offering modern, American-made home furniture and accessories. Founded in 1980, the family-owned, privately held company has 14 stores and 900 employees. About 40 percent of Room & Board's transactions occur online. In this interview with Kimberly Ruthenbeck, director of web customer experience at Room & Board, we discuss…