Client testimonials aren’t just nice to have - they’re one of the most powerful forms of marketing a small business can use. Whether you’re a tradesperson adding the final polish to a luxury interior, an organization serving the design and construction field, or a product line looking to build distributor trust, testimonials help build social proof, boost visibility, and increase conversion.

Yet many business owners limit their testimonial strategy to asking for a review on Google Business Profiles and calling it a day. That’s a totally missed opportunity.

In this post, we’ll explore creative ways to collect testimonials and strategic places to use them — especially tailored for professionals in the interior design and construction industries.

Creative Ways to Collect Client Testimonials

Use Follow-Up Emails or Automations
Don’t leave feedback to chance. After completing a project, delivering an order, or finishing a consultation, schedule a follow-up email to ask how things went. You can send this manually or automate the message using a CRM or email marketing tool. Website platforms may also have email integrations to allow you to do this as well - Squarespace is one of them.

Pro tip: Time it right — 5 to 10 days after the project wraps is a sweet spot.

Create a Testimonial Submission Form
Make it easy for your satisfied clients to share their thoughts by adding a feedback form to your website. Include prompts that guide them:

What was your project or product?
What made you choose us?
What stood out most about the experience?
Would you recommend us to others?

Be sure to add a space for them to add their testimonial.

Offer a Video Option
Video testimonials can be incredibly impactful, and they convert 25% more leads on average. Use simple tools like Senja, Vocal Video, Boast, or even Canva’s video form templates to let clients record short clips.

Keep it casual: people don’t need to be polished to be powerful.

Ask During Informal Check-ins
Sometimes the most genuine feedback comes in conversation. If a client casually compliments your work during a phone call, email, or site visit, ask if you can quote them. Better yet, follow up with a written version for their approval.

Run a Feedback Feature Series
Feature your clients and their projects in a “Client Spotlight” or “Project Highlight” series on your site or social media — and ask for a testimonial to go along with it. People love seeing their work and words featured.

Where to Use Testimonials for Maximum Impact

On Your Website
Don’t relegate testimonials to a single “Reviews” page. Sprinkle them throughout:

Homepage for first impressions
Service or product pages to support purchasing decisions
Case studies to deepen trust

Across Social Media
Testimonials make great content. Post a quote with a project photo or a client headshot. Even better, share video clips. Rotate testimonials into your content calendar at least once a month.

In Newsletters
Newsletters are the perfect place to reinforce trust. Share one testimonial in each issue as a “Client Win” or “Project Praise” section. It helps break up the content and reinforces your value.

In Marketing Materials
Brochures, sales decks, pitch emails, even trade show banners — testimonials go wherever trust matters. Pair them with specific services or product highlights for added credibility.

In Your Proposals
When submitting bids or estimates, include a short list of client quotes or a mini-case study to demonstrate what it's like to work with you. This can tip the scale when clients are comparing vendors.

Why Testimonials Matter for Interior Design and Construction Pros

In fields where trust, craftsmanship, and follow-through mean everything, testimonials speak volumes. Whether you're a wallpaper installer, a decorative painter, a window treatment specialist, or a company that supplies materials to the trades, the words of satisfied clients do more than a polished portfolio ever could. They reassure future customers, validate your expertise, and show real-world results.

Final Word

Testimonials aren’t just warm fuzzies - they are strategic business tools. The more you collect and use them thoughtfully, the more they work for your business, not just about it.

Make testimonial gathering part of your workflow, not a once-a-year scramble. Your future clients are listening… make sure they hear your best stories!