Maximizing Your Brand's Potential with UGC Videos

User-generated content (UGC) has become one of the most powerful tools for e-commerce brands. When real customers share their experiences through video, it creates a level of trust that no amount of polished advertising can match.

Why UGC Videos Outperform Brand Content

Consumers today are skeptical of traditional advertising. They scroll past banner ads, skip pre-roll videos, and tune out promotional emails. But when they see a real person — someone like them — using a product and sharing their honest opinion, they pay attention.

UGC videos convert at higher rates because they feel authentic. A customer unboxing a package on their kitchen table is more relatable than a studio-shot commercial. That relatability translates directly into trust, and trust translates into sales.

Types of UGC Videos That Drive Sales

Not all UGC is created equal. The most effective formats for e-commerce include:

Product Reviews: Customers sharing their honest opinions after using your product. These work especially well for products where quality and performance matter — skincare, electronics, kitchenware.

Unboxing Videos: The excitement of receiving and opening a package. Unboxing videos tap into anticipation and create an emotional connection before the viewer even sees the product in use.

How-To and Tutorial Content: Customers showing creative ways to use your product. These videos add value beyond the sale and position your brand as part of a lifestyle.

Before and After: Particularly powerful for beauty, fitness, and home improvement products. Seeing real transformations from real people removes doubt and creates desire.

How to Collect UGC Videos

Getting customers to create video content is easier than most brands think:

1. Ask at the right moment. Send a follow-up email 7-10 days after delivery, when customers have had time to use the product but the experience is still fresh.

2. Make it easy. Don’t ask for Hollywood production quality. A simple selfie-style video shot on a phone is exactly what performs best.

3. Offer incentives. A small discount on their next purchase or entry into a giveaway can significantly boost participation rates.

4. Provide guidelines, not scripts. Give customers a few talking points (What do you love about the product? How do you use it?) but let them speak naturally.

Placing UGC Videos on Your Store

Having great UGC is only half the battle — placement matters enormously. The most effective locations include:

• Product pages: Place UGC reviews right below the product description where shoppers are making buying decisions.
• Homepage: Feature your best UGC in a Stories or Feed format to immediately build social proof.
• Collection pages: Help shoppers browsing a category see real-world examples of products in use.

With tools like SwipeUp, you can deploy UGC videos across your entire Shopify store in Stories, Feed, or Overlay formats — no developer required.

Measuring UGC Video Performance

Track these key metrics to understand your UGC video impact:

• View-through rate: What percentage of visitors watch the video to completion?
• Conversion rate lift: Compare conversion rates on pages with and without UGC videos.
• Average order value: UGC often increases AOV by building confidence to purchase more.
• Time on page: Video content typically increases time spent, which correlates with higher purchase intent.

Getting Started

The best time to start collecting and deploying UGC videos was yesterday. The second-best time is today. Start with your most popular products, reach out to your happiest customers, and begin building a library of authentic video content that sells.

Ready to add UGC videos to your Shopify store? Start your free 14-day trial and see the difference video makes.