Add customer reviews to your WordPress site - with a plugin, a widget, or custom code.

WordPress powers over 40% of the web. If you're running a WordPress site, adding testimonials is one of the quickest wins for building trust and increasing conversions.

Here are three ways to do it, from simplest to most flexible.

The fastest approach. Use a testimonial tool that gives you an embed code, then paste it into WordPress.

Step 1. Sign up at a testimonial tool like Quoted (free plan works fine).

Step 2. Create a project, collect some testimonials from clients.

Step 3. Go to the Embed section and copy your widget code. It looks like this:

<script src="https://quoted.love/widget.js" data-project="your-slug" defer></script>

Step 4. In WordPress, edit the page where you want testimonials.

  • Gutenberg editor: Add a "Custom HTML" block. Paste the code. Update.
  • Elementor: Add an "HTML" widget. Paste the code. Save.
  • Divi: Add a "Code" module. Paste the code. Save.
  • Classic editor: Switch to "Text" tab. Paste the code. Update.

Step 5. Preview your page. The testimonial widget should appear.

Pros: No plugin needed. Works with any theme. Updates automatically when you approve new reviews. Lightweight - won't slow down your site.

Cons: Testimonials are managed outside WordPress (in the testimonial tool's dashboard).

Method 2: WordPress Testimonial Plugin

If you prefer everything inside WordPress, there are plugins for that.

Popular options include Strong Testimonials, Jetrocket Starter Templates, and WP Social Ninja. These let you manage testimonials as a custom post type inside WordPress.

The typical flow:

  1. Install and activate the plugin
  2. Add testimonials manually (or import from CSV)
  3. Use a shortcode or block to display them on any page
  4. Customize the layout in plugin settings

Pros: Everything stays inside WordPress. Some plugins connect to Google Reviews.

Cons: Another plugin to maintain and update. Manual data entry unless the plugin has a collection form. Can slow down your site if poorly coded. Plugin conflicts are always a risk.

Method 3: Custom HTML/CSS

If you want full control, you can build a testimonial section from scratch.

<div style="max-width: 600px; margin: 0 auto;">
  <div style="background: white; border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; border-radius: 12px; padding: 24px; margin-bottom: 16px;">
    <div style="color: #facc15; margin-bottom: 8px;">★★★★★</div>
    <p style="color: #374151; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 12px;">
      "Working with this team was incredible. They delivered ahead of schedule and the results exceeded our expectations."
    </p>
    <div style="font-weight: 600; color: #111827;">Jane Smith</div>
    <div style="font-size: 14px; color: #6b7280;">CEO at Acme Inc.</div>
  </div>
</div>

Paste this in a Custom HTML block and style it however you want.

Pros: Total control. No dependencies. No third-party tools.

Cons: Manual updates for every new testimonial. No collection form. No moderation system. Doesn't scale.

Which Method Should You Use?

For most WordPress sites, Method 1 (external widget) is the best balance of simplicity and functionality. You get a collection form, moderation, and automatic widget updates without installing any plugins.

Use Method 2 if you strongly prefer keeping everything inside WordPress and don't mind manual management.

Use Method 3 only if you have a handful of testimonials that rarely change.

A Note on Page Speed

WordPress sites are often already loaded with plugins. Adding another plugin for testimonials adds weight.

External widgets like Quoted's load asynchronously via a single script tag. They don't add any server-side processing to WordPress and typically weigh under 15KB - less than most WordPress plugin assets.

If page speed matters to you (and it should), a lightweight external widget is usually the better choice.

Add testimonials to your WordPress site →

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