If you run a business, you know how important reviews are. Positive reviews are priceless – especially if you know how to use them effectively. Getting testimonials for your business shouldn’t be an afterthought. They should be a top priority every time someone uses your program or service. Client testimonials don’t have to be a lot of work – for you or your client. In this article, I’ll walk you through a step-by-step guide to getting more client testimonials.
What’s a Client Testimonial?
I like to think of testimonials as accolades or praise from a happy customer. Testimonials are similar to reviews. When you buy something on Amazon or visit a new restaurant, you probably look at the review first.
Reviews and testimonials are insights and experiences from real people who used the service/product.
In your business, testimonials are statements from your customers that express positive feedback about your product, service, or business. Typically, testimonials include information about how satisfied the client was with your service and the benefits they received from using it.
Testimonials can be in various formats – written quotes, videos, or audio. Here’s an example of a testimonial on my success stories page.
“Christina Hills’ Website Creation Workshop course is The Best online course I’ve ever taken!”
Christina Hills’ Website Creation Workshop course is The Best online course I’ve ever taken! Here’s why: It’s way more than information-packed (which it is). It took me, step-by-step, to create my own website in a way that was thorough, and easy to understand, and supportive, and encouraging, and easy to follow … AND FUN!
Yes, there’s a learning curve, but after the first few modules, I was having FUN being creative, building my very own website exactly how I wanted it. I’m thrilled with the result, and I’m excited to show off my new site to a new and wider audience!
Why Are Testimonials Important?
There's a ton of "noise" online. It seems like everyone is competing for everyone else's attention. We are constantly being marketed to online. With so much competition and so many scammers to watch out for, people want assurance before buying something.
Testimonials validate your business and services by sharing real stories of happy customers. When buyers see that others have had good experiences, they feel more confident and can choose a program or service that fits their needs. Online reviews and detailed feedback carry a lot of weight, and positive testimonials can sway people to buy.
Client testimonials are important because they help build trust and credibility. They also give your business a stamp of approval and show that it is reliable and effective.
Getting More Client Testimonials
Step 1: Create Satisfied Customers
The first step in getting great testimonials is having satisfied clients! Make sure you provide a top-notch program or service and offer excellent customer support. Go above and beyond and exceed their expectations. Happy customers are more likely to share positive experiences.
Step 2: The Right Timing
Timing is important when asking for a testimonial. Ask for feedback right after your client has successfully completed your program or service. That way, their positive experiences and emotions will be fresh in their minds.
Step 3: Make It Easy
There are many ways to request a testimonial. You could send an email with specific questions, put a form on your website, ask for a brief interview, or set up a testimonial voicemail number. Offering multiple options makes it easier for a satisfied client to respond. The goal is to make it convenient for them to express their thoughts.
Step 4: Personalize the Request
Automated systems are great, but personalized communication is best when asking for a testimonial. Mention specific details about the service they purchased and remind them of a benefit they've received. Explain how their feedback can help others who have questions or may be unsure about buying.
Step 5: Use Other Communication from the Client
Sometimes, a client replies to a customer service email or Facebook post and shares a positive experience they've had in your program. Copy and save these to use as client testimonials. But remember to ask the client for permission to use that content.
Step 6: Say Thank you!
Be sure to let your client know how grateful you are for their testimonial. Respond quickly and thank them sincerely. Also, let them know whether you'll feature their testimonial on your website, social media, or other marketing communications.
Step 7: Put a Process in Place
This step-by-step guide to client testimonials is only valuable if you implement it. Put a process in place that ensures these steps are completed every time a client uses your program or service.
Decide what format you will use for testimonials. Who will collect testimonials? Where will you store them? Who will send the thank-you? Once you have answered these questions, get started!
“The Website Creation Workshop was truly a wonderful journey, and I felt supported.”
I am very grateful to Christina for creating such a wonderful Website Creation Workshop that came into my life at exactly the right time, when I was struggling to build my website on a different platform.
What I love most about Christina’s course is that it is structured as a journey, with small, manageable steps, plenty of hands-on experience, and a clear roadmap ahead. The course not only taught me very useful skills and shared many valuable “secrets of the trade” from Christina’s own experience, but also helped me redefine and go deeper into the purpose and vision of my website.
It was truly a wonderful journey, and I felt supported by Christina and her wonderful team every step of the way. I especially love how everything came together by the end of the journey: the fluidity and confidence I gained in my new website-creation skills, and a beautiful website that I could hardly have imagined was possible when I started.
Thank you so much, Christina!
Tips for Displaying Testimonials
1) Include Names and Photos
Add the client's name and profession to your testimonials. If possible, include a photo. If you're having trouble getting a picture of the person, ask if you can use their Facebook or Instagram photo. People are more likely to trust testimonials with real names and faces attached. Always get their permission before using personal information!
2) Display Testimonials Strategically
Place testimonials strategically on your website, marketing materials, or website pages. One option is to create a dedicated testimonials page. Another option is to have testimonials in your sidebar on each page. Or do both (like I do!).
The most important thing about displaying your testimonials is making sure they are easy to see. Visitors probably won't spend much time hunting for testimonials, so display them so they can't be missed.
Testimonials displayed in the sidebar
3) Emphasize Certain Phrases in Your Testimonials
Once you've gathered testimonials, highlight the most impactful quotes. Short and powerful quotes are more likely to catch the reader's attention than lengthy paragraphs. Also, make the testimonial title bigger and bolder so it stands out.
Choose statements that show key benefits the client has received and highlight the unique features of your service. It helps if the client explains how you eliminated a pain point or solved a nagging problem.
4) Have Diverse Testimonials
Collect testimonials from a variety of clients who may be from different backgrounds or industries (if you're selling to businesses). Many testimonials from different people show that your service appeals to a broad audience.
“I have a website I love!”
How to Add Testimonials To Your WordPress Site
There are many different ways to add testimonials to your WordPress website. Below are a couple of ways that I use all the time.
1) Strong Testimonials Plugin
by WPChill
We recommend the Strong Testimonials Plugin for adding testimonials to your WordPress website. It's one of my top 5 easy-to-use plugins for WordPress.
This tool helps you showcase customer feedback. It's easy to use and lets you customize the look of your testimonials. You can choose from different designs to make your testimonials stand out. Find out more here: https://wordpress.org/plugins/strong-testimonials/.
This is the plugin we know and love! If you want to try another plugin, be sure to evaluate it using my 3-question method first.
“I never thought I would be this happy with a website!”
I never thought I would be this happy with a website! I was stuck between paying AT LEAST $5000 for someone else to create a good website vs. creating a website myself that I wouldn’t really like. I didn’t want to pay that much, but I knew that I didn’t have the expertise to create even a bad website.
But with Christina’s Website Creation Workshop, I produced something that I am proud of and that is constantly getting me compliments! The step-by-step process is very straightforward and easy. Christina has “game-a-fied” the creation process so you see yourself making progress as you go. Not only do I love my site, but I’ve been able to even help some other people because of the training I’ve received!
2) Using the Divi Theme Testimonial Module
If you're using the popular Divi theme, you can easily add testimonials to your website using Divi's built-in Testimonial module.
The Testimonial module lets you add the customer's name, job title, company, testimonial, and photo. You can also customize the design, including the typography, spacing, colors, image, quote icon, and other styling options.
You can add the Testimonial module to a page or post using the Divi Visual Builder. If you have several testimonials, you can arrange multiple Testimonial modules in columns or other layouts to create a testimonial section or grid.
Another option is to use Divi's Slider module to display testimonials in a rotating slideshow. The Slider module is a general-purpose slider rather than a testimonial-specific module, but you can use it to showcase customer testimonials or success stories.
Here's an example of a testimonial created with the Divi Theme (my link) Testimonial module:
Here's an example of a testimonial with the Divi Theme (my link) testimonial module:
Final Thoughts...
When you're running a business, it takes a lot of work to juggle all the different pieces of your business. You may get so caught up in serving your existing customers that marketing to new customers takes a back seat.
If you don't have testimonials on your website from satisfied customers, you are missing a fantastic, easy opportunity to connect with prospects and market your services.
Testimonials are a super easy way to always be marketing. Detailed testimonials build trust, influence buying decisions, and help you build a great business reputation. Having a few of your best testimonials on your website can seal the deal for a prospect who is on the fence.
If you haven't already, use this step-by-step guide to start collecting testimonials for your business!
(Originally published May 2024; Updated Oct 2026)
