Despite the fact that so many of us shop online today, we are still sceptical regarding where we spend our money. This is something that has got even worse due to the abundance of cyber attacks and phishing scams hitting the news. Because of this, it is so important to create a website that is credible and trustworthy. You may know that your business is a genuine one, but you need to prove to potential customers that this is the case. So, how can you make your website appear more trustworthy?
Make it easy for anyone to contact you
There is nothing more frustrating for customers than being unable to contact a business. If you are a company to be trusted, why are you making it difficult for customers to get in touch? Make sure your email address and telephone number are visible on your website. Clearly state your opening hours and how long it takes for you to respond to emails - you should aim to reply to all emails within 24 hours.
Choose a reliable hosting provider
Next, you need to make sure you choose a reliable hosting provider. If your website goes down, it can have a negative impact on your SEO ranking and lead to a loss of revenue. Not only this, but a poor hosting provider could lead to cybercriminals finding a way into your website, and nothing damages your reputation more than a security breach. Do extensive research online before choosing a provider, and make sure you spend plenty of time reading reviews on independent websites like UKWebHostReview.
Be cautious with the advertising content you display
Another important step you need to take is being cautious with the ads on your website. Yes, pop-up ads and banners can be a great revenue stream. But, at what cost? If your website is simply overloaded with adverts for products that are not eve related to your business, at best, you will appear unprofessional, and at worst, you will come across as spammy.
Use secure badges
Another way to show that your website is safe is to display secure badges, for example, your SSL certificate symbol. There are plenty of other badges that you may have access to, and if you use a third-party provider, you could simply place a sidebar note, informing all users that your website is secure.
Show that you are active online
In today’s social media age, showing you are active online is also important. People often check in to see how active stores are within their community. You may be wondering why this is important in terms of trust. Well, if the store has not liked, shared, or commented on anything for months, how can you be sure they are active? What if they are merely accepting orders, taking money, and not shipping anything out? You may not realise it but your engagement levels have a monumental impact on how trustworthy you appear.
Display testimonials and reviews
Another way to enhance the trustworthiness of your website is to display testimonials and reviews that you have received from other customers. However, you need to be mindful regarding the manner in which you do this. Unfortunately, a lot of businesses have displayed false comments on their website, which they have simply written themselves. Customers have grown wise to this, and they are now sceptical about the comments they read. The best way to get around this is by incorporating a widget on your website that shows the comments you have received via independent review platforms like Trustpilot.
Make sure your website is up-to-date
The overall health of your website will determine whether users view it as credible and trustworthy. Make sure that all of the information on your website is up-to-date, including details regarding products, contact information, and shipping. You should also ensure that your website boasts a fast load speed and is easy to use.
Add a hint of personality to your site
Last but not least, branding is so important when it comes to building trust. Customers want to feel like they know your business and what you are about from the moment they visit your website. The only way to achieve this is by adding some personality to your site - make it different from the rest. Through providing exceptional content, you will be able to achieve a higher level of loyalty and trust. This is guaranteed to make your customers’ smile.
If you follow these tips, you will be able to give off a trustworthy and credible image via your website. This can lead to improved brand exposure and, ultimately, more sales.
