Customer Testimonials: 6 Examples and How To Get Them

One great review from a happy customer can potentially do more for your business than any flashy ad. When customers share their good experiences, it gives new buyers more confidence in the quality of your products and services.

Customer testimonials turn your biggest fans into powerful voices for your brand. But getting these great stories takes more than asking customers for feedback.

In this article, we’ll look at why customer testimonials matter and the different types you’ll encounter online. Then we’ll share ways to collect and leverage testimonials to connect with new prospects.

RELATED ARTICLE — What Is Customer Acquisition? Strategies and Costs

What Are Customer Testimonials?

So, what are testimonials, exactly? In a way, they’re satisfied customers doing your marketing for you. They’re the real stories and comments from people who love what you do so much they want to tell others. That could be quick quotes on a small business’ homepage to full stories on social media.

Customer reviews and testimonials are a kind of social proof. Social proof works because we all want to know what other real customers think before spending money. It’s like a friend saying, “Trust me, this company is great!”

Plus, success stories paint the whole picture of how you turned a problem into a win. This lets potential customers with similar problems know that you can help them.

There are tons of client testimonial examples and formats small businesses can use to give their marketing a boost, like:

• Creating fun video testimonials
• Collecting short quotes that pack a punch
• Sprinkling client testimonials across your social media

The best customer testimonials flow naturally from customers who truly love what you do.

When real people share their honest, positive experiences, new buyers are more likely to give you a shot. These customer testimonials work like magic because they’re genuine stories from real people getting real results.

RELATED ARTICLE — What Is Customer Relations? Everything You Need To Know for Your Business

Why Are Customer Testimonials So Important?

Adding customer testimonials to your marketing plan comes with a range of powerful benefits, including:

Creating Trust Through Social Proof

Customer testimonials build trust in a way that ad campaigns can’t match. They highlight your credibility in the eyes of actual clients who are satisfied with your products or services. The proof is in the numbers: People who read testimonials are 58% more likely to buy from you.

Building Customer Loyalty

Trust makes customers stick around. Nearly half of customers are willing to shell out extra cash to buy from a brand they trust. When happy customers share their good experiences, they help you build a group of loyal fans who keep coming back.

Making Real Connections

Stories from real customers create emotional connections with future buyers. When people watch video testimonials or read success stories, they see themselves getting the same great results.

They work because they show the real people behind the purchases. Instead of just talking about features or prices, these stories share actual experiences. They showcase real problems solved.

Standing Out From Competitors

Honest client testimonials help your business shine in a crowded marketplace. While other companies blast out sales messages, you can share real stories from customers.

Which would you trust more as a consumer? A company telling you they’re great, or a happy customer explaining how that company helped them?

Likely, you’d choose the customer testimonial.

RELATED ARTICLE — A CRM Guide: 10 Customer Relationship Management Strategies

6 Types of Customer Testimonials With Examples

From quick quotes to detailed case studies, there are all kinds of ways to share customer success stories.

Let’s explore the most powerful types of customer testimonials and how to use each one:

1. Quotes and Reviews

Customer quotes and reviews are the most common type of testimonials. And for good reason. Quotes are easy to collect and share, giving potential buyers a quick look at real experiences.

These short client testimonials work because they feel genuine. This helps new customers picture themselves getting similar results.

Example: Invoice Simple Customer Success Page

Invoice Simple’s customer page shows how powerful a customer testimonial example can be. Happy customers share quick thoughts that customers understand at a glance. These authentic quotes highlight specific features while keeping things real and relatable.

2. Video Testimonials

Video testimonials let customers tell their stories with sound, motion, and emotion. Video can create stronger connections than written words alone. Plus, video testimonials can mix different formats. That could mean combining customer stories with before-and-after shots or adding text highlights over the footage.

Example: Elite Dental Video Testimonial

Elite Dental nails this customer testimonial example. They blend before-and-after photos with customer stories about their transformed smiles. By showing actual results alongside personal stories, they prove their value in a way that builds trust. The video also showcases exactly what new patients can expect.

3. Social Media Posts

It creates powerful social proof when customers share their experiences on social media.

Sponsored posts have their place. But nothing beats a customer choosing to tell others about a great experience.

These organic social media posts work extra well because they’re genuine reactions.

Example: Zoom (listed under social media example #1)

Take Zoom’s holiday announcement social media post. One customer commented about connecting their international family for Thanksgiving.

This story of bringing families together during the holidays shows the true impact of the service. Plus, it feels more authentic than any planned marketing message.

4. Case Studies

Case studies dive deep into customer success stories. They show just how your product or service solves real problems.

Case studies work best when they include specific numbers and show how different types of customers succeed.

Example: Shopify

Shopify arranges this customer testimonial example perfectly on their homepage. They show businesses of all sizes, including Gymshark’s impressive $500M+ in annual sales.

By showing success at every level, these case studies help potential customers imagine achieving similar results, no matter their size.

5. Interview Testimonials

Interview testimonials capture natural conversations about customer experiences. They let you explore the details while keeping it conversational and authentic.

Example: GoodRx

GoodRx uses customer interviews to showcase how simple it is to save money with their service.

Their interviews feel like friendly chats. That makes it easy for new customers to understand exactly how the service helps them in everyday situations.

6. Influencer Testimonials

A single post from Kylie Jenner can bring a brand an eye-popping $1.3 million in media value. But you don’t need mega-celebrities to make influencer testimonials work.

Even recommendations from smaller, trusted voices in your industry can highlight your credibility.

Example: Kylie Jenner Sponsored Posts

The key is finding influencers who match your brand and speak to your target audience. Their followers should be the same people who might need your product or service. That makes their testimonial feel natural and valuable rather than just promotional.

RELATED ARTICLE — How Fast Payment Processing Impacts Customer Satisfaction and Retention

How To Get Customer Testimonials in 4 Steps

Want more customers sharing great things about your business? Here’s how to collect powerful testimonials that help your company grow.

Step 1. Time Your Request

Ask for customer reviews when people are happiest with your business. This might be right after they tell you they love your product. Or it could be a few days after they buy from you.

Watch your social media, too. When customers post nice things about you, it’s a perfect time to ask for a testimonial.

Step 2. Make the Ask

Send friendly emails asking for client testimonials. You can set up automatic emails that ask for quick quotes after each purchase.

Keep your forms simple and short. When you see someone saying good things about you on social media, reach out. Asking while they’re still excited makes it more likely they’ll engage.

Step 3. Guide Their Response

Make it easy for customers to share their stories by asking clear questions. Ask what specific results they got. That way, new customers can see exactly how you helped.

Tell them they can share their feedback in different ways. These might include written quotes, video testimonials, or success stories.

Step 4. Simplify Sharing

The easier you make it, the more testimonials you’ll get. In your request emails to customers, include links to your preferred review platforms like Google Reviews, Yelp, or your social media pages.

Additionally, you can create feedback forms on your website where customers can share their thoughts.

You can also partner with a company like Listen360 to streamline the process. They specialize in collecting customer feedback and using it to help you retain customers and attract new leads.

FROM ONE OF OUR PARTNERS — The Importance of Real-Time Feedback in a Customer Experience Platform

4 Tips on How To Get Good Testimonials With Positive Feedback

These tips will help you gather feedback that really connects with future customers

Get Results

Get customers to share specific details about what your business helped them achieve. Instead of just “great service,” ask how it solved their problem or made their life better. Numbers and real examples make customer reviews more powerful.

Focus on Key Features

Ask about the parts of your product that matter most to new buyers. This helps you collect social proof that speaks to common customer concerns and shows off your best features.

Keep It Natural

Let customers use their own words when giving testimonials. Their true voice builds more credibility than polished marketing speak. A genuine quote that sounds like a real person will connect better with future customers.

Add Visual Elements

Include customer photos, company logos, or screenshots with your testimonials. These visual touches build trust and make your social proof more engaging.