A common misconception among digital marketers is thinking that online user feedback and online reviews are one and the same. And we can’t exactly blame them. On the surface these two appear to be almost identical: both collect input (Voice of the Customer data) from online visitors and customers, both include user ratings or scores, both are used to build a loyal customer base, and so on. But the truth is, they serve two very different purposes….
So what’s the difference between online user feedback and online reviews? The main distinctions between online user feedback and online reviews are the kind of data being collected and how it is processed.
Online user feedback is intended for those looking to extract insights into all aspects of the online customer journey. It predominantly sheds light on any potential barriers that online visitors encounter which may prevent them from reaching their goals on either a page or funnel level. Once this feedback is collected, it is then processed in a closed, analysis platform (for internal analysis), meaning that it is not visible to the public (only the digital team working with the feedback results).
Example of an online user feedback form
On the other hand, online reviews focus on building up an online presence and trust, while simultaneously learning what visitors think about specific products or services, or even the webshop as a whole. Unlike user feedback, reviews are often shown publicly on websites or third party platforms to gain the trust of visitors.
Example of an online review – after purchase
Let’s take a closer look at each of these…
What is Online User Feedback?
Online User Feedback is information collected from online visitors or customers about their online experience. These feedback results provide businesses with deep insights into how visitors experience their website or online service, which digital marketers then analyse and use to adjust or improve their websites or mobile apps.
Free White Paper: The importance of A good Feedback Strategy
Learn about asking the right questions in an online feedback form to get the most out of it.
Benefits
Online user feedback offers a wide range of benefits to those who use it. These benefits include:
- Extracts deep insights into main sales drivers such as, online processes, usability, the online customer journey.
- Provides user with the means to directly optimise funnels and improve the customer journey as a whole. This means that the feedback is collected in the moment and on the web page where a problem might occur, usually based on visitor behavior (rather than afterwards by email or once the product has been delivered).
- Enables users to reduce the number of dropoffs, e.g. shopping cart abandonment, using exit feedback forms that catch the user before they leave. By asking them at that precise moment, you can gain insight into why they’re leaving the page or what is preventing them from reaching their goal online.
- Reduces the pressure on your telephonic customer service team. Because feedback is captured on a page level, it’s possible to pinpoint if visitors get the content they need and whether they can easily reach their online goal. With these specific insights you can easily avoid unnecessary phone calls.
- Generates real-time and relevant leads. For example, when an issue arises, by asking for contact details along with the feedback, you are provided with a direct lead and chance to rectify the issue your visitor is having in the moment.
Read more here about the ROI of feedback.
User Goals
With online user feedback, users are looking to identify and rectify issues that occur on their website or mobile app. They do this with a focus on increasing conversions and improving the online customer experience. These are issues such as bugs, missing information, problems logging in, and weak content that can potentially result in a poor customer experience. These goals differ greatly from online reviews in that they focus on improving the CX rather than just a product or service itself. Online user feedback also digs into deeply-rooted website issues that online reviews only tend to graze over.
Examples of online user feedback tools:
1. Mopinion
Mopinion is an online user feedback tool that helps users to collect, analyse and take action on online feedback. With real-time data visualisation in customisable dashboards and charts, users can extract deep insights into the customer experience. These insights can reveal how your business is performing, for example, in terms of digital content, online sales funnels, user experience and customer loyalty.
Website: www.mopinion.com
2. Kampyle
Kampyle is another online user feedback tool that can be used to quickly create feedback forms. Once all forms are in place, you can track how your visitors experience different parts of the website. You can also trigger feedback forms to appear in a proactive manner as well as decide who is presented with the form, e.g. an x percentage of visitors or if a visitor shows exit intent.
Website: www.kampyle.com
3. Feedbackify
Another online user feedback tool is Feedbackify. This tool allows users to create feedback forms themselves and collect ratings (such as NPS) accompanied by comments (e.g. compliments or suggestions). All feedback can be viewed in a real-time dashboard and here users can filter by category or subcategory.
Website: www.feedbackify.com
What are Online Reviews?
Online Reviews are comments made by online visitors or customers about a product or service. These reviews, often referred to as ‘social proof tools’, are essentially pieces of User Generated Content (UGC) that are intended to help businesses build up an online presence as well as trust among their visitors. Unlike user feedback, where the user can provide feedback during online funnels, online reviews are typically left afterwards (e.g. once a purchase has been made or the item has been delivered). These reviews are often related to a product in a webshop, the webshop itself, or the overall shopping experience.
For example, if you purchase an item on Amazon, you will often receive a follow-up email days later with some questions about the product and/or the delivery process.
Source: Amazon
Benefits
Nearly 90% of consumers read online reviews, so there’s no denying their popularity. But what exactly do they provide users with?
- Provide transparency and build trust
- Can be used for positive promotion
- Show brand’s personality, a.k.a. how you respond to reviews
- Improve Google Rankings: More positive reviews = higher rankings in organic search
User Goals
With online reviews, the goal is all about online reputation and establishing a strong online presence, which is why they are almost always made public for visitors. This is a stark contrast to user feedback which is kept private on a closed platform. Many users also collect reviews because they are often sent to search engines to improve search engine ratings and click through rates – which again, links back to visibility. This differs greatly from online user feedback in that online reviews are used to rate products and services particularly, while user feedback is collected to improve online processes and the customer journey.
Examples of online review tools:
1. TrustPilot
TrustPilot is a very well-known online review software used by many businesses to build up trust with customers. With this tool, users can upload their mailing lists into the tool and send out an email inviting customers to review them (this can also be set up so that it’s sent out right after a customer has made a purchase). Reviews are fed to search engines (e.g. Google or Bing) which updates your Google Seller Rating – therefore improving visibility in both search engines and online ads.
Website: www.trustpilot.com
2. Feefo
Feefo is online review tool that is very similar to TrustPilot. In other words, users can send out emails inviting customers to provide reviews. They can also choose to customise the display of these reviews on their website with: rating percentage display, text display and star rating display. Additionally, the dashboard provides integration tools such as an API and a Facebook app for social sharing.
Website: www.feefo.com
3. ReeVoo
ReeVoo is a one of the more high-end online review tools out there. The difference between the other tools and ReeVoo is that the more high-end tools often also offer assessments at a product level, instead of just generic webshop reviews. This software runs on-site on product pages in order to show several reviews at product level. Your visitors can choose to filter on the most relevant reviews for a product. If they still have a question about a review, they can ‘Ask an Owner’.
Website: www.reevoo.com
A World of a Difference
As you can see, online user feedback and online reviews are worlds apart. One is for collecting deep insights into your online journey, while the other is catered solely to building up trust and loyalty among customers out in the open.
So why not combine the two? If you have already worked with an online review tool and you’re looking for deeper insights into the online experience, try giving user feedback a try. And vice versa, those who already employ user feedback forms on their website or mobile app and are looking to win over more ‘social proof’ ought to consider an online review solution to complement their existing feedback programme.
Ready to see Mopinion in action?
Want to learn more about Mopinion’s all-in-1 user feedback platform? Don’t be shy and take our software for a spin! Do you prefer it a bit more personal? Just book a demo. One of our feedback pro’s will guide you through the software and answer any questions you may have.
