5 Ways Online Reviews Help You To Build Trust In Your Business

Tom Goodwin

March 15, 2023

5 min read

In a crowded digital marketplace full of unknown brands, scam sites, and knock-off products, trust is everything. The question is - how do you earn that trust from new customers who’ve never heard of you?

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One powerful answer: online reviews.

In this article, we’ll break down the five key ways reviews build customer trust, and how you can take that impact even further using tools from REVIEWS.io.

1. Do Reviews Prove Your Business Is Legitimate?

Yes. Customer reviews are public proof that your business is real, active, and making sales.

For new or lesser-known brands, a healthy stream of reviews tells shoppers, “Others have bought from us - and received their orders.” That’s critical for first-time customers deciding whether to trust you with their money.

Stat to know: A recent survey revealed that 68% of UK consumers rely on online reviews as their primary source for purchasing decisions, surpassing recommendations from family and friends (24%) and brand claims (18%)

REVIEWS.io tip: Use Shoppable UGC Galleries to showcase photo and video reviews from real customers. Seeing real people with real products builds legitimacy and humanises your brand instantly.

2. Can Reviews Show That You’re a Transparent Business?

They absolutely can, especially when you’re open to all feedback, not just handpicking praise.

A consistent stream of authentic reviews (including the occasional less-than-glowing one) shows you value honesty. Customers trust businesses that don't hide criticism - they see it as a sign of confidence and transparency.

REVIEWS.io tip: With our Reputation Manager, you can monitor and respond to feedback across multiple platforms. Spot issues early, take control of the narrative, and show your audience you’re always listening.

3. Do Reviews Provide More Insight Than Product Pages?

Definitely. Customers often talk about delivery speed, product sizing, packaging quality, and other details you might not include on your site.

This kind of user-generated insight helps reduce uncertainty and builds trust, especially when multiple reviews mention consistent strengths in your service.

REVIEWS.io tip: Use AI Assistant to instantly extract common themes in customer feedback. Discover what shoppers love (or don’t) about your experience, and use it to improve or promote.

4. Can Review Responses Build More Trust?

Yes - and it’s one of the most underrated ways to build customer confidence.

Replying to reviews (especially critical ones) shows empathy, accountability, and customer care. It reassures shoppers that if anything goes wrong, they’ll be heard - and helped.

REVIEWS.io tip: Save time with Auto-Generated Replies. Generate tailored, brand-safe responses to reviews with a single click, and edit them as needed. It's fast, scalable, and still sounds like you.

5. Do Reviews Give Customers a Sense of Control?

Absolutely. Just knowing they can leave a review, good or bad, makes customers feel empowered. That sense of control increases trust and makes shoppers more likely to give your business a chance.

REVIEWS.io tip: Showcase this empowerment with Review Nuggets. Pull persuasive snippets from real reviews and display them near key decision points, like product pages and checkout.

Ready to Turn Reviews Into Trust - and Growth?

Building trust online doesn’t have to be complicated. The truth is, most shoppers today rely on reviews to decide who they buy from. That means your ability to collect and showcase authentic feedback isn’t just nice to have, it’s critical to your success.

At REVIEWS.io, we help businesses like yours turn everyday customer experiences into powerful proof points. From boosting buyer confidence with visual UGC, to responding faster with smart AI tools, to managing your reputation across every platform that matters - we make trust scalable.

Whether you're a growing brand or an established player looking to improve your review strategy, we’re here to help you take control.

Book a demo today and see how REVIEWS.io can help you build credibility, increase conversions, and grow with confidence.

Let’s turn trust into your competitive edge.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Reviews are seen as unbiased, unlike marketing copy. Many consumers trust them more than brand messages or influencer endorsements.

Only if left unaddressed. Responding well to negative feedback shows integrity and customer care, and can increase trust even more than a 5-star review.

There’s no magic number, but consistency matters more than volume. A steady stream of verified reviews signals ongoing service and reliability.

Verification. Reviews with proof of purchase (like those from Google Licensed Review Partners) hold more weight with customers.