As soon as someone meets you or hears about your business, they’re going directly to your website to learn more. Websites can do a lot of increase business credibility, but all websites are not equal.
In this episode of 5 Business Rules, Monika Jansen and I share five things that people use to determine how credible your business is. Spend 5 minutes watching the video or read on for the tips.
Appearance is everything
We may be told not to judge a book by its cover, but 75-94% of people will make a snap decision on website credibility based solely on design.
In fact a research study from Harvard showed that “prettier” websites, are more likely to gain a user’s trust.
If you’ve even found yourself apologizing for your website, it’s time to invest in a redesign.
Have contact information
This is especially important if you have a brick and mortar address, as you need to give people the ability to contact you and get in your door.
Ecommerce websites also need to make phone numbers and email addresses available. While many users enjoy the convenience of online transactions, they do want to know real people are behind the business and they can reach somebody if something goes wrong.
Bonus tip: Google looks for this information to determine a website’s credibility, and ultimately how your site will rank in searches. Including contact information can help drive people to your website through Google search.
Team photos
On a similar note, show pictures of your team to help users see there are real people behind the company.
Whether you are a solopreneur or have a team of people involved, get those smiling faces on your site.
Trust seals
Trust seals show validation from a credible third-party, for instance:
If you are collecting information or doing transactions on your site, security is important. People want to know their information is safe and secure.
Even if you are not selling online, there are a lot of things your customer care about, such as being a woman-owned business or green certified. Show off these creds as they can quickly help establish trust.
Social proof
Very few people want to be your first customer, so showing off things like a client list or portfolio can help users see that you are an experienced, capable professional.
Testimonials or reviews that other people have given you, help your prospective customers feel confident that they will have a good experience working with you.
Have more questions? Give us a shout!
