01 Nov 2024

Build trust with your website users: 10 Things you can do today!

The web is a very competitive place, where most of us are fighting to stand out from the crowd. There is also a level of distrust, afterall it is easy for scammers to set up a website or social media account, so building trust with your audience is essential. Users will also, typically be in a rush and spend only a matter of seconds scanning a product or service page, so it becomes even more essential to quickly make a good impression so they hang around and consider buying from you.

Trust signals

What are Trust Signals?  They are “things” we can put on our site to build trust with your users.  These can be simple things like your name, address and phone number( NAP),  delivery information and product/service reviews.

 

Which trust signals can I add on my website?

Here are some ways you can build trust directly on your website:

1. Name, address and phone (NAP)

Add your company name, address and phone number to your website.  This helps because if users are thinking of buying from you, they need a way to get in touch with you.  This could be before making a purchase, or if they need support to use a service or product or return goods.

2. Customer reviews

First of all you need to make sure you are actually asking your customers for reviews!  Then you may need to chase up every now and then to make sure your customers give you a review. You may need to guide them on what to say, e.g. “We loved working with Monica because…”

Next start collecting those reviews on a platform like Facebook, Trustpilot, Google Reviews etc.  In addition to this, feature them clearly on your website so visitors can see them almost immediately.

 

5. A professional website design

If your website doesn’t look professional, then visitors are going to assume you are not a very professional company!  They won’t want to buy from you and it could cast doubt on whether your business is successful if you have not invested in a professional website.

 

Sometimes the devil is in the details: Things like text and logo size have a subtle effect, making a site look more elegant and professional.  These things are perfected over time by professional web designers, and their importance should not be down-played.

 

 

How can I build trust elsewhere?

6. Google My Business listing (GMB)

Setting up your Google My Business listing is essential for local businesses!  GMB is like free advertising and shows where you can be found, your address, phone, website link, opening hours and much more.

 

Google My Business allows you to gather reviews that appear in the Search results by the side, validating your business.  It also promotes your business on Google Maps, this “map pack” listing is very important for local search.

 

To get started, go here: https://www.google.com/intl/en_uk/business/

7. Social media

Having a social media presence means you are in more places and making an effort to promote your business.  This makes you look like a more “far reaching” and established business that is investing more into their marketing.

 

Simply create all your social media pages and add social media links to your website footer or ask your web designer to do it for you.

8. Newsletter

An email newsletter shows you are proactive about updating your audience regularly with company news and special offers.

 

Having a newsletter is a commitment to sharing your expertise in your area.  Giving useful information for free shows your authority on a subject and gets your foot in the door with potential clients.

 

9. Awards

Awards demonstrate your accomplishments in your marketplace.  They show that you are one of the leading experts and have gained recognition for your work or products.

 

Awards can be shown on social media pages as well as your website and printed material such as brochures and flyers.

 

Awards can have a shelf life, so keep the logo up to date with the latest version when you receive it.

10. Directory listings

Adding your business to directory listings helps increase your visibility on other websites.

 

Links from directories also boost your website's position in Google (a fundamental Search Engine Optimisation SEO technique).  Directories also help build brand awareness and your websites visibility.

 

What else can I do to build trust with users?

There is plenty more you can do on your website and elsewhere to create and build trust with the public. 

 

Some of these ideas will be quick to set up and others will require months or years to implement them.  But building trust with your users is an on-going exercise which we all strive to perfect and develop over time.

 

For more ideas head over to: https://www.madesimplemedia.co.uk/blog/30-trust-signals-you-need-to-build-trust-with-your-website-users

 

By David Reeder, Made Simple Media

 

 

 

 

 

 

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