Show number of views or purchases to boost sales

Here's your weekly scoop of marketing wisdom, served up in just about 60 seconds. Ready to boost those sales?

👉 But before we dig in, here's a 60-second example 📺 of a merch quiz giveaway for Coachella made with our Shopify quiz app for inspiration (try taking the quiz here). Ok, onto this week's insight! 👇

Ever noticed those little counters on product pages that show how many people have viewed or bought an item? Turns out, they’re more than just numbers—they’re your new best friends in boosting sales!

TL;DR 🎯

Start by showing the number of views your product has racked up. Once you hit a sweet spot (usually a few hundred, depending on what you’re selling), switch to flaunting how many have flown off the shelves. And if your item’s hot enough to boast a 5% conversion rate—think 1 sale per 20 views—it’s showtime for both stats!

But why? 🤔

These aren’t just numbers; they're golden tickets to credibility street. When customers see that others are checking out or snapping up a product, it’s like a big neon sign saying, “This is the good stuff!” Here's what the data tells us:

Views alone boost interest initially but can taper off:

• 156 views: boosts interest by +30%
• 1,560 views: a whopping +56%
• 15,600 views: back down to +27%

Purchases, on the other hand, start slow but become powerhouse influencers:

• 39 bought: a modest +6%
• 390 bought: skyrockets to +53.5%
• 3,900 bought: tops out at +58%  

Showing both views and purchases is a rockstar move if your conversion is 5% or better. Otherwise, it might backfire—like wearing socks with sandals (I'm looking at you, dad 🤦‍♂️).

Why it works 💡

We’re all a bit nosy, right? Seeing that others are interested or have committed to a purchase makes us feel more confident in our choices -- that's how social proof works. It’s the digital version of peeking into someone else's shopping cart.

What to watch out for ⚠️

This strategy shines with neutral products, like digital cameras or coffee machines. If you're selling something super niche or luxury, the dynamics might change.

How to do it ✅

Check your Google Analytics’ Product Performance Report for the juicy details on views and sales. Decide on a cutoff for when to switch from views to purchases. Always show something—it’s better to be upfront than have customers guessing.

So, why not give it a whirl? Sprinkle those numbers across your product pages and watch the magic happen. Just remember, consistency is key—don't leave any product out. You wouldn't want them to feel lonely, right?

Catch you next week for more gems. Until then, keep those numbers climbing and your products flying off the digital shelves!

Want to learn more? 🤓

If you want to learn more about this topic, you can dig into the nerdy details in the original marketing study.

Quote of the week 💬

"When people see others loving your product, they don’t want to miss out. Social proof isn’t just influential, it’s infectious!"