Basecamp

The Basecamp homepage is a case study in how to use social proof. It seeks to sell the tool by showing how many people have used it, giving number for number of users and projects. 

It also backs this up with some example case studies of projects that used Basecamp. 

KISSmetrics

Analytics tool KISSmetrics references some of its existing users. This essentially says to potential customers: these companies are successful, they use KISSmetrics. 

The use of logos is clever too, as users are more likely to quickly scan and recognise companies like this. 

Econsultancy

We do this too on our pricing page, with quotes from industry figures showing how useful their subscriptions have been for them. 

eBay

This site is full of it. We have the floating ’15 users have viewed this item..’ banners, as well as the seller ratings and numbers. 

Alwaysriding.com

Some good examples here, such as the size feedback, though these are down the page where they are less visible. This may dilute the effect. 

Modcloth

This is excellent. By asking customers to go the extra mile (a side benefit of building a great community around the brand) Modcloth has some excellent social proof with image of customers wearing their purchases. 

The rest of the page is great too, with extra detail and summary information from review scores. 

Pipedrive

Social proof with uses the visitor’s location. Here Pipedrive tells me how many of my countrymen are happy with its CRM tools. For US users it provides this information on a state by state basis. 

Groupon

Groupon uses a mixture of urgency and social proof here. 

Special K

Kellogs in Stockholm offered free boxes of cereal to anyone who snapped a picture and tagged it with #nyaspecialk. 

Hyundai

Hyundai’s ‘ask an owner’ feature is another good example, allowing potential buyers to ask existing owners questions about their cars. 

AirBnB

AirBnB provides some great user experience lessons which other travel sites could learn from, and also uses social proof well. 

Booking.com

This site provides a masterclass in persuasion and social proof

Here’s just one example from the homepage. We have: 

  • The number of people viewing this destination. 
  • Average review scores. 
  • Last booking made recently. 
  • Number viewing that hotel. 

AO.com

Another site which uses social proof in various forms. On the product page alone, we have testimonials from customers, number of Facebook likes, and customer reviews. 

Norman Records

This site shows us how many have loved the record, encouraging you to become the 15th…

LEGO ideas

Ideas are only accepted once they’ve reached a critical mass, and the numbers of supporters, comments and shares all encourage more. 

Threadless

Plenty here, with comments and average scores for designs. 

FreePeople

Nice use of social proof on users’ profiles, showing the number of followers and ‘hearts’. 

I’vereadthat.com

This is a new site, currently invite-only, but social proof is the key here. 

Have you seen some great examples of social proof? Please share your examples below.