How to use testimonials and social proof

Social proof is the collection of testimonials, reviews, results and mentions that show other people have already trusted your work. It's also one of the biggest factors influencing the decision of someone who is still weighing whether or not to hire a service.

Before hiring a service or buying a product, most people look for outside confirmation that their choice is a safe one. A beautiful portfolio or a well-written description helps, but what really eases a customer's uncertainty is seeing that other people have already been through the experience and approved of it.

Without visible social proof, visitors may still be interested in your work, but the final decision tends to take longer and may never happen at all.

How to use the Highlights List to organize your social proof

On Keepo, one of the sections available for organizing content is the Highlights List. Although it isn't a section made exclusively for testimonials, it can easily be adapted for that purpose. You can create a list with titles like “What our clients say” or “Testimonials” and, in each item, add the client's name, their review and even a photo or icon for extra credibility.

The advantage of using the Highlights List for this is that it lets you organize several testimonials in a clean, visually appealing way without taking up much space on your minisite. Plus, you can place the most important testimonials at the top of the list, making sure they're seen first.

Types of social proof that work on a minisite

Client testimonials are one of the most effective formats, especially when they appear as text or a short video sharing the real experience of someone who has already hired you.

Numbers and results also work well: number of clients served, years in business, results achieved — all of this conveys reliability and experience. Screenshots or real messages expressing satisfaction, as long as you have permission to use them, are an authentic way to show that you deliver what you promise.

Short case studies, with a before and after or the problem solved and the result delivered, help visitors picture what they could achieve. Mentions and partnerships with brands or media outlets that have worked with you are another form of social proof that adds credibility.

Where to place social proof on your minisite

Where you place social proof on your minisite matters just as much as the content itself. Ideally, testimonials or other trust signals should appear close to your main CTA, right before the “book”, “buy” or “request a quote” button.

This placement reinforces the decision at exactly the moment the visitor is closest to taking action, giving them the final nudge they need to follow through on their interest.

Things to keep in mind when using testimonials

Always use real testimonials, with explicit permission from the people who gave them. Overly generic testimonials, like “great work!”, have far less impact than specific accounts that mention the problem solved or the result achieved.

The more concrete the testimonial, the more trust it builds.

FAQ

How many testimonials do I need to get started?

There's no minimum. Even two or three well-chosen testimonials with specific details can make a difference in how visitors see you. What matters is quality and authenticity.

Do video testimonials work better than written ones?

Video tends to build more trust because it shows a real person, but well-written text testimonials with concrete details are effective too.

Does social proof replace a good portfolio?

No. The two complement each other: your portfolio shows what you do, and social proof confirms that your work delivers results and satisfaction to those who have hired you. Together, they make a powerful combination for convincing visitors to take the next step.

How do I collect testimonials for my minisite?

Ask satisfied clients for permission, ideally right after you deliver the service, while the experience is still fresh in their minds. Specific testimonials with details about the problem solved are the most effective.

If your minisite doesn't have a testimonials or social proof section yet, this may be the simplest tweak to boost conversions among visitors who are almost ready to decide.

Use Keepo's Highlights List to organize this information and start building credibility today.

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