5 Ways to Use UGC for Boosting Your Website

User-generated content (UGC) refers to any form of content, such as images, videos, text, and reviews, that is created and published by users or customers rather than by the brand or business itself. UGC can be a powerful tool for businesses to grow, as it provides authentic, credible, and engaging content that can help build trust, increase brand awareness, and drive conversions.

When customers create and share content about your brand, it showcases their positive experiences and serves as a powerful form of social proof. This user-generated content can be more influential and persuasive than traditional advertising, as it comes from a trusted, unbiased source – your customers.

Incorporating UGC into your website can provide numerous advantages, including:

• Increased Credibility and Trust: User-generated content, such as reviews and testimonials, can help build trust and credibility with potential customers by providing an authentic and unbiased perspective on your products or services.
• Enhanced User Engagement: Encouraging users to create and share content about your brand can foster a stronger sense of community and engagement, leading to increased brand loyalty and repeat business.
• Improved Search Engine Optimization (SEO): UGC can also improve your local SEO by providing valuable, relevant content that search engines can index and use to improve your website’s visibility.
• Cost-Effective Marketing: UGC is a cost-effective way to generate content, as you’re using your customers’ creativity and enthusiasm rather than relying solely on your own resources.
• Valuable Insights: By analyzing the UGC generated by your customers, you can gain valuable insights into their preferences, pain points, and overall sentiment towards your brand. This information can inform your product development and marketing strategies.

5 Strategies To Use UGC For Boosting Your Website

Include UGC in Blog Posts and Articles

According to a study by Reevoo, 70% of consumers place peer recommendations and reviews above professionally written content when making a purchase decision. As such, incorporating user-generated content such as customer testimonials, success stories, and product reviews into blog posts and articles can add authenticity and credibility to your content.

One of the most effective ways to include UGC in blog posts and articles is to include positive customer testimonials and reviews in the content.

You can also showcase customer-created images, videos, or graphics that depict your offerings in action. Furthermore, you can gather UGC from social media and partner with influential customers to create user-generated content.

One notable success story of a company that added UGC to blog posts and articles is Backcountry, specializing in outdoor gear and apparel. Seeking to enhance its online presence and engage its customer base, the company embarked on a strategic initiative to incorporate user-generated content (UGC) into its blog posts and articles about hiking gear.

The company encouraged its customers to share their experiences, adventures, and product reviews on social media using a branded hashtag. The curated UGC was seamlessly integrated into blog posts and articles. Customer photos were featured in articles about outdoor adventures, while customer testimonials were used in product review posts.

The incorporation of UGC into the company’s blog posts and articles yielded significant results. The blog posts and articles featuring UGC experienced a 30% increase in traffic compared to those without UGC. Also, the presence of reviews and comments contributed to a 15% lift in conversion rates, as prospective customers were more influenced by authentic user experiences.

Boost Social Media Engagement with UGC

Social media platforms are a prime channel for leveraging UGC to boost engagement and reach. Encouraging users to share their experiences with your brand through photos, videos, and reviews on social media platforms can create a sense of community and strengthen brand loyalty.

According to Stackla, 86% of consumers say authenticity is important when deciding what brands they like and support on social media. By reposting user-generated content on your brand’s social channels, you can foster meaningful connections with your audience and drive higher engagement.

To boost social media engagement with UGC, try sharing and reposting high-quality content from your followers on your own social media channels, giving them recognition and exposure. Additionally, respond to and interact with the UGC created by your followers, fostering a sense of community and encouraging further participation.

Improve Local SEO with Customer Reviews and Testimonials

User-generated customer reviews and testimonials play a crucial role in local search engine optimization. According to Moz, online reviews make up 30% of how Google and other search engines decide to rank search results.

If you want to take advantage of customer reviews and testimonials, make sure to simplify the process for customers to leave reviews on your website. Respond to both positive and negative reviews to demonstrate your dedication to customer satisfaction. Moreover, display the reviews prominently on your website, either through dedicated review pages or by integrating them into your product or service pages.

Slotswise is a great example of how a company can take advantage of UGC and boost its website. Namely, the company started a campaign to encourage users to contribute comments and reviews on slot game pages, with a focus on the Double Bubble slot. Slotswise offered incentives, such as bonus spins or loyalty points, to users who submitted reviews and comments on the Double Bubble game.

The UGC campaign yielded significant results, contributing to Slotswise’s overall website performance and user engagement. It led to a 42% increase in user engagement, as evidenced by a surge in user comments, reviews, and social media shares related to slot games. Additionally, the reviews positively impacted Slotswise’s search engine rankings, resulting in higher organic traffic to the Double Bubble slot page and the website as a whole.

Stimulate Electronic Word-of-Mouth Marketing

Electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) marketing involves the sharing of brand-related content and experiences through digital channels. UGC serves as a powerful driver of eWOM, as it enables satisfied customers to share their positive experiences with a wider audience. According to Nielsen, 92% of consumers believe suggestions from friends and family more than advertising. And now, with UGC, businesses can stimulate electronic word-of-mouth and amplify their brand’s reach.

Here’s how you can stimulate eWOM:

• Encourage Sharing and Referrals: Make it easy for customers to share their positive experiences with your brand on social media or through referral programs, incentivizing them to spread the word about your products or services.
• Leverage Influencer Partnerships: Collaborate with influential customers or industry experts to create and share UGC that taps into their existing networks and fan bases.
• Facilitate Online Discussions and Forums: Create dedicated spaces on your website or social media channels where customers can share their thoughts, experiences, and recommendations with one another.

Build a Local Community

Creating a platform for users to interact, share experiences, and support each other can foster a strong sense of community around your brand. By facilitating user discussions, hosting local events, or creating user forums, businesses can strengthen their relationships with customers and position themselves as a valuable part of the community.

Invite your local customers to share their experiences, photos, or stories related to your brand or products on social media or your website. This can help create a sense of community and belonging. Showcase your involvement in local events, partnerships, or collaborations through UGC, demonstrating your commitment to the community. Organize in-person events or meetups for your local customers, encouraging them to share their experiences and connect with your brand and each other. Develop localized content, campaigns, or promotions that speak to the unique needs and interests of your local customer base and encourage them to engage and share their experiences.

Incorporating user-generated content (UGC) into your website and marketing strategy can be a highly effective way to boost your online presence, build trust with your audience, and drive more traffic and conversions to your business.

By using the diverse forms of UGC, you can create a more authentic and engaging online experience that resonates with your target audience. Additionally, UGC can provide valuable insights into customer preferences, pain points, and overall sentiment towards your brand, informing your product development and marketing strategies.

To maximize the impact of UGC on your website, consider implementing the strategies outlined in this article, including incorporating UGC into your blog content, boosting social media engagement, leveraging customer reviews for local SEO, building a local community, and stimulating electronic word-of-mouth marketing. You can take your website and digital marketing efforts to new heights with the power of UGC.