Using confirmation bias to your advantage

Written by Naja Shafiq

Confirmation bias is the tendency to believe what we already think is true. We don’t like to be wrong, so when we learn some new information, our brain find evidences to support and proof our initial learnings to be true.

Here are 4 ways you can use this bias in your business.

1. Product image.

High quality photo or image of your products plays a big role in shaping people’s perceptions, especially if you sell food.

“If it look great, it must taste great.”

So beside having great products, your product photos must look great too.

2. Existing belief.

Homemade = taste better.
Fresh from the farm = healthier.
Handmade = last longer.

These are examples of things that most people generally believes in.

So use words that help communicate the values of your products of services even better.

3. User testimonial.

People tend to buy easier if lots of people have bought it before.

“If it worked for someone else, it could work for me too.”

So ask for reviews or testimonies from your previous customers who are satisfied with your products.

4. Repeat customer.

“If their A product is good, their B product must be good too.”

People who have bought from you tend to buy from you again.

So when you have an already satisfied customers, tell them about other products you sell that they might like too.

With that being said, confirmation bias can work both ways though. People accept evidence that supports what they already think is true, but also reject evidence that goes against it. So understand and learn it well if you want to use it to your advantage.

Published on 21 Jun 2021