One written review above the fold: +7.45% revenue per visitor
Test run byDave DiederenSyntra Labs
Commentary byLiftArchiveOur analysis, not theirsMoving one written customer review into the above-the-fold area of a product page lifted revenue per visitor by 7.45%. Dave Diederen ran this test for a 7-figure Shopify brand whose page already showed star ratings there. Conversion rate rose 6.40% and average order value 1.00%.
- Revenue per visitor: +7.45% ($1.32 to $1.41). The confidence range runs from +3% to +29%, so it stays positive. Estimated at $46,967 extra per month.
- Conversion rate: +6.40% (2.63% to 2.80%). More visitors bought, though this range dips slightly below zero.
- Average order value: +1.00% ($50.03 to $50.53). Essentially flat.
The change
One written review joins the stars above the fold; exact placement not shown.
Simplified mockup drawn by LiftArchive from the shared screenshots.
Control
The product page showed star ratings above the fold but no written words from a customer.
Variant
One written customer review was moved into the above-the-fold section. The review text and design were not shown.
Why it likely won
Our reading of the result, not the practitioner's claim.
- stars show that many people liked the product, while a written review shows why, in a real customer's words.
- a specific review helps shoppers judge whether the buyer was like them and had the same problem.
- putting it above the fold means everyone sees it, not just the few who scroll down to the reviews section.
Caveats: Sample size, test length and the review used were not shared. Results may depend heavily on which review you pick.
Who ran it
Dave Diederen (@DaveDiederen) shared this test on X. The numbers and screenshots are theirs.
View the original post on X
How to run this test on your store
- Hypothesis
- If we show one strong written review above the fold on our product page, then more visitors will buy because a real customer's words build more trust than stars alone.
- Primary metric
- Revenue per visitor
- Guardrails
- Average order value
- Add-to-cart rate
- Scroll depth to the reviews section
- Who should test it
- Stores that have plenty of good written reviews but only show star ratings near the top. It won't help much if your reviews are short or generic.
Questions
Are star ratings enough above the fold?
This test suggests not. Adding one written review next to existing stars lifted revenue per visitor by 7.45%.
Which review should I show above the fold?
The post didn't share the review used. Pick one that names a specific problem and outcome your typical buyer cares about.
Does a review above the fold raise average order value?
Barely. AOV rose 1.00% here, so the gain came mainly from more people buying.
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