How To Add UGC Videos for Social Proof on Shopify

User-generated content (UGC) videos can help your Shopify store build trust and drive sales by showcasing real customer experiences. These short, vertical videos (21–34 seconds) are easy to integrate and highly impactful. Here's a quick overview of how to use them effectively:

• Why UGC Videos?

  • 87% of shoppers say videos influence buying decisions.

  • Vertical videos get 40% more attention.

  • They show products in real-life scenarios, boosting confidence.

• How to Add UGC Videos:

  1. Use tools like ReelTok to upload and display videos.

  2. Place videos strategically (e.g., on product pages or below the homepage fold).

  3. Offer rewards like store credit or loyalty points to encourage submissions.

• Best Practices:

  • Keep videos short and vertical (9:16).

  • Ensure fast page load times and mobile responsiveness.

  • Use analytics to track performance and optimize placement.

Adding UGC videos is simple and can significantly improve engagement and conversions. Start by installing a Shopify app like ReelTok, upload customer videos, and track results with built-in analytics.

Store Setup Requirements

To effectively add UGC videos to your Shopify store, make sure your store is ready for seamless video integration. Here's what to focus on:

Product Page Review

Take a close look at your product page's performance and layout. Fast load times are crucial, and ReelTok's lazy loading ensures videos only load when they're in view [1].

Key areas to check:

• Loading Speed: Use your preferred tools to measure and improve page load times.

• Content Layout: Identify natural spots on your page where videos can fit without disrupting the flow.

• Mobile Responsiveness: Ensure your layout adapts well to vertical video formats.

Video Location Planning

Where you place videos on your site can have a big impact on engagement. ReelTok's data shows the best results come from combining visibility with a smooth user experience [1].

"ReelTok Shoppable Videos are enabled for any and all Shopify pages. That said, we recommend adding a video experience directly on your home-page, just below the fold. This will optimize the amount of engagement and sales conversions." [1]

Content Rules and Rights

Set clear rules to ensure your videos meet quality standards and comply with legal requirements.

Key considerations:

• Video Guidelines: Videos should be 21–34 seconds long, in a vertical format, and focus on product usage, unboxing, or reviews [1].

• Legal Requirements: Put terms of use, video rights agreements, and content permissions in place.

• Content Standards: Highlight real customer experiences, product demos, and genuine testimonials to keep the content relatable and trustworthy.

Getting Customer Videos

Encourage customers to share user-generated content (UGC) videos by offering incentives and setting clear quality standards.

Customer Rewards

Provide rewards to motivate customers to submit their video experiences.

Once rewards are in place, ensure the video submission process is simple and user-friendly.

Video Upload Process

Make it easy for customers to upload their videos. Platforms like ReelTok allow direct uploads from devices or Instagram accounts, simplifying the entire process.

Key upload requirements:

• Vertical format (9:16)

• Maximum length: 34 seconds

• File size: under 50MB

• Accepted formats: MP4 or MOV

After submission, review videos to confirm they meet quality standards.

Video Quality Guidelines

Help customers create high-quality videos by providing clear technical and creative tips.

Technical tips:

• Record in a well-lit environment at 1080p resolution

• Use a tripod for stable footage

• Minimize background noise

• Ensure the product is clearly visible

Content ideas:

• Show the product in use

• Highlight key features

• Share personal experiences with the product

• Include before-and-after shots, if applicable

Consider creating a dedicated landing page with submission guidelines to ensure consistency and make expectations clear for your customers.

Adding Videos to Your Store

Now that your videos are ready, it’s time to add them to your store and make them work for you.

Setting Up ReelTok

Getting started with ReelTok is quick and simple - no coding skills needed. Here’s how to do it:

1. Visit the Shopify App Store and install ReelTok.

2. Choose the plan that fits your needs.

3. Allow the app the necessary permissions.

4. Open your ReelTok dashboard.

ReelTok seamlessly integrates with your store's theme. As Kampot Pipirai shares:

"Setting it up was a breeze - took 5 minutes with no coding required" [1].

Video Display Options

ReelTok lets you showcase your user-generated content (UGC) videos in three main ways:

Each display option allows you to tag multiple products, making it easy for shoppers to buy directly from the videos. Research shows that 64% of online shoppers are more likely to make a purchase after watching a product video [1].

After choosing your display format, focus on smart placement to get the best results.

Placement Tips

Where you place your videos can make a big difference in engagement and sales:

• Homepage Placement: Add your top-performing UGC videos just below the fold on your homepage. This spot grabs attention and encourages purchases [1].

• Product Pages: Use video carousels near product descriptions to strengthen trust and influence buying decisions.

"ReelTok is super easy to setup! Lots of different placements and nice branding options. I am looking forward to testing different tactics with the app." [1]

• Mobile-Friendly Formats: For mobile users, stick to vertical (9:16) videos. These formats attract 40% more views compared to other layouts [1].

With a little strategy, your videos can become powerful tools for driving sales and building trust.

Tracking Video Results

Key Metrics to Watch

To measure how your videos are performing, focus on these important metrics: views, watch time, clicks, interactions, and conversion rates.

Research shows that 87% of customers base their buying decisions on video content [1].

Using ReelTok Analytics

ReelTok's analytics dashboard gives you real-time data to help you understand your video performance. It automatically tracks key indicators, including:

• Detailed conversion tracking to see how videos drive sales

• Engagement metrics for every video you upload

• Performance data by product to identify top-performing items

• Viewer behavior analysis to understand how your audience interacts with your content

This data helps you fine-tune your video strategy for better results.

Testing Different Approaches

With ReelTok's real-time metrics, you can experiment and improve your strategy by testing various elements:

• Content Length: Try different video durations to determine what works best for your audience.

• Video Styles: Experiment with formats like:

  • Product demos

  • Customer testimonials

  • Unboxing videos

  • Stories from your founder

• Placement Testing: Adjust where videos appear, such as below the homepage fold, to boost engagement and conversions [1].

Stick to vertical (9:16) videos for better compatibility and use ReelTok's analytics to monitor performance across placements and formats. This helps you refine your approach for maximum impact.

Wrap-Up

Main Points

UGC (User-Generated Content) videos are a powerful way to boost sales by building trust with your audience. Here are the critical factors for success:

By focusing on these elements, you’re well on your way to creating an effective UGC video strategy.

Getting Started

Follow these steps to start using UGC videos:

1. Install ReelTok from the Shopify app store.

2. Upload your video from your computer or cloud storage and choose a display format: carousel, stories, or widget.

3. Tag products directly in the videos for easy shopping.

4. Track performance using the app’s analytics dashboard.

"Set up Reels carousel in under 2 minutes. Highly recommended app! Easy to use." – Not A Saint [1]

Short-form videos now make up 82% of all online content [1], so they’re essential for staying competitive in e-commerce. You can begin with the Starter plan for $5.99/month, which includes 30,000 monthly impressions. Once you’re comfortable, you can scale your efforts as your strategy evolves.

Focus on showcasing genuine customer experiences to build trust and drive conversions.