Case Study: TrustGrade Badge Increases Website Sales by 41%
Case Study: TrustGrade Badge Increases Website Sales by 41%
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
In a recent A/B test, TrustGrade set out to measure the impact of adding the TrustGrade A+ Badge to one of its client’s websites. The results were extraordinary: the version of the website displaying the badge achieved a 39.5% higher conversion rate and a 40.8% increase in total sales compared to the version without it.
The Challenge
Online businesses continually look for simple, effective ways to increase customer confidence and reduce friction at checkout; companies are challenged to identify low‑effort, high‑impact change that can measurably influence purchasing behavior—without redesigning the site or changing pricing.
The Hypothesis
We believed that strategically placing the TrustGrade A+ Badge near the call-to-action buttons and checkout page would provide immediate credibility and reassurance, encouraging more visitors to complete their purchase.
The A/B Test Design
The test ran for two weeks, with traffic evenly split between two versions of the site: Version A (No Badge) and Version B (With Badge).
The TrustGrade A+ Badge displayed prominently in the lower-left corner (highlighted in yellow).
The Results: A Clear Winner
The data was conclusive and statistically significant at the 98% confidence level.
| Metric | Without Badge (Control) | With Badge (Variation) | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Impressions | 4,208 | 4,247 | – |
| Sales | 103 | 145 | +42 sales |
| Conversion Rate | 2.45% | 3.41% | +39.5% |
Why the Badge Works — The Psychology Behind Trust and Conversion
Harvard Business School professor Gerald Zaltman has shown that approximately 95% of purchase decision-making occurs in the subconscious. Large-scale research in behavioral economics and neuroscience confirms that emotion, not logic, drives the majority of purchasing behavior (Harvard Business School Working Knowledge, “The Subconscious Mind of the Consumer and How to Reach It”).
When a visitor sees the TrustGrade A+ Badge, it acts as a “cognitive shortcut” — instantly answering key subconscious questions like: “Can I trust this company?”, “Is this safe?”, and “Are other people choosing this brand?” That immediate reassurance reduces friction and triggers a confidence-driven buying decision.
“Our test confirms what academic research has long suggested: trust must be both visible and verifiable. The TrustGrade Badge’s combination of grading transparency and review integrity creates a proven psychological advantage at the point of purchase.” — Ken Underwood, CEO, TrustGrade
Instant Credibility — The Clickable Badge Advantage
Unlike static logos or generic trust seals, the TrustGrade Badge is interactive. With one click, consumers can instantly see verified reviews, grading transparency, and business information. This transparency creates an immediate sense of authenticity and eliminates doubt — a key factor that can otherwise delay or derail purchases.
The interactive TrustGrade A+ Badge instantly builds confidence and credibility.
The Larger Trend — Reviews Drive the Modern Buyer’s Journey
Recent studies support the growing importance of verified review ecosystems: many consumers hesitate to buy from a business with no visible reviews; verified review systems and third-party trust seals increase purchase likelihood in real-world e-commerce environments; businesses that manage reviews effectively experience higher repeat purchase intent and customer satisfaction.
Multiple large-scale empirical studies, including The Value of Online Trust Seals: Evidence from Online Retailing (Özpolat et al., INFORMS), confirm that verified third-party trust signals increase the odds of purchase in real-world e-commerce environments. Read more at https://doi.org/10.1287/isre.2013.0489.
“The data makes it clear — not all trust symbols are created equal. The TrustGrade Badge combines a verified grade and star rating into a single, visible signal of credibility. That combination builds measurable confidence and directly drives higher sales.” —Ken Underwood, CEO, TrustGrade
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