Featuring user recommendations of your products (also known as "testimonials") on your site is an incredibly powerful way to legitimize your sales claims and offer social proof that encourages your visitors to convert into buyers.

According to MarketingExperiments.com – a leading source of data-driven internet marketing recommendations – testimonials are especially useful in a digital environment that's often fraught with "over-marketing":

"Today's consumers are fed up with exaggerated and unsubstantiated claims. It's far better to let someone else do your bragging — customers, partners, trade press, etc. Why? Because when the quality of information is debatable, today's consumers will always resort to the quality of the source."

How do you get testimonials from your clients? Simply ask for them!

To capture the best testimonials, use the results of your post-purchase follow-up to determine which customers are most satisfied with your products or services. Clearly, obtaining feedback from people who were disappointed with their purchases isn't going to result in the most persuasive testimonials!

Here's an example of how you might ask for a testimonial from a client...

"Hi Robert,

I'm so glad to hear that you're satisfied with your [product name] purchase! As a service to future buyers, I like to feature feedback from happy customers like you on my website.

If you're willing to share your experiences, please send back your responses to the following questions (or feel free to write your own message), along with a picture of you and a link to your website (if applicable)?

1. What problem were you facing that (my product) solved?

2. How much has (my product) increased your profits or income?

3. How much time or money has (my product) saved you?

4. Has (my product) made your life easier? How?

Thanks in advance!

Jessica the Store Owner"

Make it as easy as possible for your customer to give you feedback by asking targeted questions. Next week, we'll go over what to do with the testimonials you collect.