Why? Because e-commerce platforms such as Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Squarespace, Wix, Adobe Commerce (Magento), and many others have made it easier than ever for anyone to open an online storefront and start selling. The competition is fierce, and we must cross every ‘T’ and dot every ‘I’ just to stay in the game.

After an initial assessment, my primary recommendation was to integrate the Loox Photo and Video Reviews app into his store. The purpose of displaying product reviews and customer testimonials in an e-commerce context is to demonstrate social proof and build trust with potential customers.

The fundamental difference between a brick-and-mortar store and an e-commerce store is that, in the case of the brick-and-mortar store, the customer is able to gather much more information before making a purchase decision and finalizing a payment. In a physical store, the customer can hold an item in their hand. If it is a clothing item, they can try it on to see how it looks and how it fits. If it runs small, the customer can purchase a size up, for example.

However, in an e-commerce or online store, the customer has to trust that the product description is accurate, the product photos are genuine, and the owner of the business is trustworthy. This is true for any e-commerce store in any industry, regardless of size, revenue, or other factors. The best way to build trust with a prospective first-time customer is to give them the opportunity to see what previous customers have had to say about their experience.

And, as you will see in the following video, where I explain how Loox appears on the Powers Sports Memorabilia website, this has been a powerful form of social proof for Matt and his business.