Why product reviews are helpful to you as a consumer
Customers trust reviews more than they trust advertisements. Reviews are as effective as word-of-mouth. We feel more enthusiastic or confident about buying something online when we see other people who have enjoyed using them.
A single product can serve different purposes for different people. For example, if we look at mobile phones, some people prioritize the camera and video quality more than anything else. For others, the responsiveness and the processor might matter more because they work mainly on their phone. For some others, gaming might be of utmost significance and they might need something that provides longer usage without over-heating. This makes reviews important because consumers will read them to ascertain whether a product will fit their personal requirements. Bad reviews are also of importance because they make reviews look honest and credible. Due to the rise in affiliate or influencer marketing where brands pay influencers to write good reviews about their products, consumers become suspicious of products that have nothing but 5-star reviews. There was a time when people would walk into a mobile store and buy a handset based on the suggestions of the store assistant. However, that is no longer the case today. As a consumer, the first thing we do before making a purchase is read reviews. 10% of shoppers also enjoy leaving reviews themselves after using the products. Brands are more aware of trying to get customers to leave a review on their site. It is common to see brands offering a discount on the next purchase if a review is left.
Online reviews on e-commerce sites, independent review sites or blogs and video reviews have filled the internet and are a major driving force behind purchase decisions. 94% of online customers revealed that a negative review has persuaded them to try not to buy a product or service. No matter how well you advertise your product, if strangers on the internet claim to be disappointed with it, sales will never rise.