WhatsApp Reviews vs. Star Ratings – Which Builds More Trust on Shopify?

Trust is the most important factor when you order online. You can have a beautiful Shopify store with amazing products, but if customers don’t trust you, they won’t hit that “Buy Now” button. Online businesses have traditionally been trusted by customer reviews and star ratings. There is a new thing called WhatsApp reviews that came out in the last few years.

Now comes the important question: Do reviews on WhatsApp work better at building trust? In that case, what should you do? Let's look into it and find out.

Why Do Shopify Stores Need Trust Signals?

People who are thinking about buying a brand see or feel things that make them feel like "This brand is real and trustworthy.” From reviews of the product to comments on social media, these signals have a huge impact on what people buy.

Here’s why they matter so much:

• Shoppers rely on feedback: Studies show that 93% of people read reviews before they buy something.
• Better Trust = Higher conversions: A store with honest reviews can make 12 to 20 percent more sales than one without any social proof.
• Encourages Buying: Reviews and ratings that are positive make people less nervous about buying, especially first-time buyers.

Rating things with stars has always been the fastest way to show that you can be trusted. Still, are they the most reliable? Or are they wanting more honest feedback from real people, like what WhatsApp reviews give them?

What Are WhatsApp Reviews?

WhatsApp reviews are just consumer reviews or comments that were sent using WhatsApp. Customers don't leave reviews on product pages; instead, they chat with your brand directly to tell you about their experience.

Why are WhatsApp reviews becoming popular?

• Authenticity: Customers are more likely to give honest feedback in a private chat than on a public review form.
• Engagement: The open conversation makes the review seem more real and human, which makes it easier to believe.
• Proof of Real Customers: Screenshots of WhatsApp reviews with real names, profile pictures look more trustworthy than "5-star" rates left by anonymous users.

To make their products seem more real, many Shopify brands now post screenshots of WhatsApp reviews on their social media pages or product pages. Install our CTX-WhatsApp Chat+Marketing app to upgrade your Shopify Store.

Strengths and Weaknesses of Star Ratings

Ratings with stars are quick, simple, and easy for everyone to understand. Customers can tell right away that a product is liked by others when they see 4.5 stars out of 5. They're great for shoppers who are in a hurry and don't have time to read full reviews.

Advantages of Star Ratings:

• Quick social proof: Customers can quickly see if a product is reliable by looking at what other people have said about it.
• Widespread acceptance: Star rates are used everywhere, from Google to Amazon.
• Simple and scalable: It's simple to gather and show hundreds of goods.

Challenges with Star Ratings:

• Fake or biased reviews: A lot of sites have a lot of star scores that were paid for or changed in some way.
• Lack of personalization: Rating something with stars doesn't tell you anything about the event itself.
• Customer fatigue: People don't trust star reviews as much because they all look the same.

Ratings with stars are still important, but they're not the best way to tell if someone you can trust them.

WhatsApp Reviews vs. Star Ratings – The Trust Factor

Let's look at reviews and star scores for WhatsApp side by side to see which one makes people trust it more.

1. Authenticity and Transparency

The reviews on WhatsApp seem real and honest. You can see more than just star ratings. You can see live conversations, emojis, and the tone of the customer. No amount of "4.5 stars" badges can compare to the look of a chat between your brand and a happy customer.

2. Emotional Connection

Reviews on WhatsApp are like real talks. They're real, intense, and personal. A star grade, on the other hand, seems mechanical—it's just a number.

3. Engagement and Social Proof

People love brands that talk to them directly. A WhatsApp chat shows that your business is interested, willing to listen, and willing to answer. Even though stars make things easy to read, they don't add that unique touch.

Quick Comparison Table

Related Reading: Ways to Build Customer Trust in your Shopify Store

Which Should You Use for Your Shopify Store?

Actually, you don't need to pick one over the other. Review and star scores on WhatsApp are not the same thing. If you have a lot of goods, star ratings are the best way to quickly build trust on each page.

• People who leave reviews on WhatsApp are most likely to be honest and build trust.
• A hybrid method could change the game. Instant credibility can come from star scores, and detailed, emotional testimonials can come from WhatsApp reviews.

How to Collect and Showcase WhatsApp Reviews?

One easy way to get your Shopify store reviews on WhatsApp is to follow these steps:

1. Talk to a customer at the Right Time

If the delivery went well or they gave you good feedback, ask them to send you a quick WhatsApp message about their experience.

2. Use WhatsApp Templates for Feedback

With Chatix, you can send ready-to-use WhatsApp templates that ask customers for feedback in a friendly way.

3. Showcase Reviews on Your Store

If the person lets you, you can take screenshots of their WhatsApp chats and use them as testimonials on your product or landing page. They look like real people.

4. Automate the Process

Chatix and other apps can help you easily gather, handle, and arrange WhatsApp reviews, which makes it simple to grow.

Also read: WhatsApp Marketing vs Traditional Marketing

The Future of Trust Signals: WhatsApp Reviews

Today's buyers want more than just a review. They want to hear real stories about the products. Customers get just that from WhatsApp reviews: honest, unfiltered feedback. Additionally, WhatsApp reviews will continue to become more popular as more people use WhatsApp as their main way to communicate.

However, star scores are still alive. People will still be able to quickly and easily trust your store because of them. In order for your Shopify business to stand out, however, you should combine star ratings with WhatsApp reviews.

Conclusion

Connecting with real people is now how trust is built, not just numbers. With WhatsApp reviews, you can show people that you care about what they have to say. Reliability can still be quickly judged by star scores, but WhatsApp reviews go one step further by establishing emotional confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How are WhatsApp reviews different from star ratings?

Star ratings are just numbers (like 4.5/5), while WhatsApp reviews show real chats with customers, making them feel more genuine.

2. Do WhatsApp reviews really build more trust than star ratings?

Yes, WhatsApp reviews feel real and personal, while star ratings can look fake or generic.

3. Can I display WhatsApp reviews on my Shopify store?

Yes! Many store owners use WhatsApp review screenshots as testimonials on product or landing pages.

4. Are WhatsApp reviews better for small businesses?

Yes, they help small brands build a personal connection and stronger trust than star ratings.

5. How can I collect WhatsApp reviews from my customers?

Simply ask customers for feedback on WhatsApp after a purchase or delivery by sending a friendly WhatsApp message. Chatix makes it easy with pre-built templates for feedback request messages.

6. How can WhatsApp reviews boost Shopify sales?

Real WhatsApp reviews build trust and help convince buyers, leading to more sales.