# 14 Compelling Customer Reviews Stats You Need to Know in 2016 | Capterra > To prove the importance of customer reviews, take a look at this compelling list of customer reviews stats. Source: https://www.capterra.com/resources/customer-reviews-stats-you-need-to-know --- # 14 Compelling Customer Reviews Stats You Need to Know in 2016 By Caroline Malamut Caroline Malamut Caroline is the Vendor Marketing Manager at Capterra. Her love of marketing began while growing up in Philadelphia and has only grown since attending the Uni... [See bio & all articles](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/cmalamut/) Published May 25, 2016 2 min read I’ve written quite a few [blog](https://www.capterra.com/resources/surprisingly-easy-ways-to-collect-b2b-software-user-reviews/) posts about the importance of software user reviews and why every vendor **must** have them for their software products. I could write hundreds of posts and thousands of words on the topic, but nothing is more convincing than seeing the hard numbers.   To help you make the case, I’ve curated this list of customer reviews stats from various online sources and research to best present the importance of collecting customer reviews to the rest of your team. 1\. **88% of consumers say that they trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations.** (Source: [BrightLocal](https://www.brightlocal.com/learn/local-consumer-review-survey-2014/)) >> [**Tweet this!**](http://ctt.ec/5I8cF) 2\. 70% of consumers say **business service reviews (recruiting services, agencies) are as or more important than reviews of personal services (home contractors, babysitters)**. (Source: Capterra) >> [**Tweet this!**](http://ctt.ec/tfcMO)   3\. Customers spend **31% more with a business that has “excellent” reviews**. (Source: [Invesp](http://www.invespcro.com/blog/the-importance-of-online-customer-reviews-infographic/)) >> [**Tweet this!**](http://ctt.ec/h59Nf) 4\. Buyers consult reviews early in the search, with **68% reading reviews as they build their shortlist**. (Source: [Software Advice](http://www.softwareadvice.com/buyerview/power-of-online-reviews-2014/)) >> [**Tweet this!**](http://ctt.ec/acQe1) 5\. **40% of buyers form an opinion of a business after reading just 1-3 reviews**. (Source: [BrightLocal](https://www.brightlocal.com/learn/local-consumer-review-survey/)) >> [**Tweet this!**](http://ctt.ec/2Y9W6) 6\. **97% of B2B buyers said that user generated content, like user reviews, is more credible** than other types of content. (Source: [Thismoment](http://www.thismoment.com/content-marketing-blog/b2b-customer-reviews/)) >> [**Tweet this!**](http://ctt.ec/cbw2N) 7\. **52% of buyers say they trust a product more if they have a few negative reviews** of their product. (Source: [Capterra](https://www.capterra.com/b2b-software-reviews-infographic/)) >> [**Tweet this!**](http://ctt.ec/cuW3f) 8\. Reviews can have an impact of **up to 10% on a business’s search rankings**. (Source: [Webrepublic](https://webrepublic.com/en/blog/2015/1/29/everything-about-online-reviews/)) >> [**Tweet this!**](http://ctt.ec/oV5Re)   9\. **78% of buyers who read reviews were satisfied with their final purchase**. (Source: [Software Advice](http://www.softwareadvice.com/buyerview/power-of-online-reviews-2014/)) >> [**Tweet this!**](http://ctt.ec/N26Di) 10\. 44% of consumers say **a review must be written within one month to be considered relevant**. (Source: [BrightLocal](https://www.brightlocal.com/learn/local-consumer-review-survey/)) >> [**Tweet this!**](http://ctt.ec/Hi13Y) 11\. **64% of software buyers want to read at least 6 reviews** before making a purchase decision. (Source: [Capterra](https://www.capterra.com/b2b-software-reviews-infographic/)) >> [**Tweet this!**](http://ctt.ec/Laekw) 12\. **89% of users will make a purchase within one week of reading reviews**. (Source: [ReachLocal](http://blog.reachlocal.com/why-your-online-reputation-matters-10-stats-infographic)) >> [**Tweet this!**](http://ctt.ec/JfAfp) 13\. **72% of buyers will take action** _**only**_ **after reading a positive review**. (Source: [BrightLocal](https://www.brightlocal.com/2014/08/14/5-visual-stats-power-of-online-reviews/)) >> [**Tweet this!**](http://ctt.ec/D80l5)   14\. Software companies with reviews on Capterra **get 22% more traffic to their website and 79% more leads than vendors without reviews**. (Source: [Capterra](https://www.capterra.com/b2b-software-reviews-infographic/)) >> [**Tweet this!**](http://ctt.ec/lak7z) What are your thoughts on these customer reviews stats? How does your team treat customer reviews? ## Capterra's 2026 Software Buying Trends Report ### Download our 2026 Software Buying Trends Report to see how successful software adopters avoid disappointment and how your business can, too. * * * Looking for Purchasing software?Check out Capterra's list of the [best Purchasing software](https://www.capterra.com/purchasing-software/) solutions. ### Was this article helpful? * * * ## About the Author [### Caroline Malamut](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/cmalamut/) Caroline is the Vendor Marketing Manager at Capterra. Her love of marketing began while growing up in Philadelphia and has only grown since attending the University of Pittsburgh. In her free time she enjoys reading, spending time with friends and family, and cheering on her Philly and Pitt sports teams. ### RELATED READING - [Help Desk Software for IT Support: Features and Benefits 1,300+ Users Value](https://www.capterra.com/resources/it-help-desk-software-features-benefits/) - [AI in Talent Management Software: The Bridge Between Recruiting and Retention](https://www.capterra.com/resources/ai-talent-management-software/) - [Switching Accounting Software: Common Risks to Avoid in 2026](https://www.capterra.com/resources/switching-accounting-software-problems-risks/) - [Why Projects Fail, and What Actually Helps Teams Fix Them](https://www.capterra.com/resources/4-steps-to-completely-recover-from-project-failure/) - [Checklist for SMBs: How to Choose the Right Customer Service Help Desk Software for Your Business Size](https://www.capterra.com/resources/choosing-customer-support-help-desk-software/) - [E‑Filing Taxes as a Small Business: Where Software Adds Value and When It’s Necessary](https://www.capterra.com/resources/efile-tax-software-small-business-guidelines/) - [How To Choose a Manufacturing Software With Confidence: Insights From Real Buyers](https://www.capterra.com/resources/manufacturing-software-buyer-insights-report/) - [What is CRM Software and What Does a CRM System Do?](https://www.capterra.com/resources/what-is-crm-software/) - [Payroll Software vs. HR Software: What’s the Difference](https://www.capterra.com/resources/payroll-vs-hr-software-difference/)