Not only is it important for your company to have a website, you also need to clearly express your business’s reputation with it. This builds trust. Trust is essential when customers decide they want to do business with you. Whether it’s providing personal contact information or sharing banking information upon purchase, consumers want to feel reassured. Users begin to judge your credibility from the first click on your URL. That is why trust is an intangible measurement of your website’s success. The question is, how do you build trust online? Make sure your site has the following three elements.
1. Professional & Up-to-Date Web Design
The first impression of your website can also be a potential customer’s first impression of your business. With that in mind, your website should be dressed to impress. Professional web design and a seamless user experience can develop legitimacy and credibility. Users can be wary of websites that are outdated and difficult to navigate so make sure to have fresh content. By keeping your website up-to-date, you are showing users that you are active and relevant, which also improves your SEO. It can also be beneficial to include pictures of your staff, products, work you’ve done, or just behind the scenes of your establishment. With this personal touch, your website becomes a real space with real people that users can trust.
2. Social Proof with Reviews & Testimonials
Even in the digital world, consumers are heavily influenced by word of mouth. After reading a positive review, 72% of shoppers will take buying action. If other people have bought from or worked with your business, new customers may feel less at risk. Reviews and testimonials add social proof to your website. In fact, given the option of two products, consumers are more likely to pick the item with more reviews, even if the other option has a higher rating. By showing reviews, both good and not-so-good, there is a level of transparency that contributes to the perception of honesty. It’s no surprise that honesty and trust go hand in hand, so it is important to take the steps to get more online reviews.
3. Include Contact Information
Regardless of the type of website you have, it’s important to have a “Contact Us” section including your phone number, email, and address. This is an essential trust factor that establishes legitimacy. Potential customers want the peace of mind that if they have any questions or concerns, someone is there to respond. It also doesn’t hurt to have a live chat function that can connect a user to a customer service representative instantly. This can be a turning point for a customer who needs a little extra push to trust your website.
With these three elements, you develop legitimacy, credibility, honesty, and relevancy, which makes for a website that users can trust.
If you want to develop a website that your business and your customers can rely on, contact the digital marketing experts at Sims Advertising. We are experts that you can trust!
