Given the public’s fear of online scams and their increasing need to know that the company they are dealing with is reputable, it’s hard for any online business to earn the trust of website visitors, especially if they are unfamiliar with your brand. However, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to turn casual browsers into loyal customers. Indeed, it can be simpler than you might think and in this post, we look at some practical and proven ways to boost visitor trust.
Clear and transparent communication
As with a face-to-face meeting, how you communicate with your visitors is one of the most important ways to build trust. Indeed, it’s not just the words you use but the tone in which your content expresses them. First and foremost, you need to be honest and open with your customers. Admitting there are issues often does more for trust than keeping them hidden, as it ensures customers are kept informed rather than in the dark.
At the same time, don’t alienate visitors with language they don’t understand, keep things simple and straightforward rather than bombarding them with jargon or corporate speak. At the same time, be upfront about your products or services, don’t hide the small print, and be clear about what you’re offering, including prices, delivery times, features and any limitations. These things don’t just build trust; they also reduce the chances of misunderstandings and customer resentment further down the line.
A key element of trust comes from customers knowing who and where you are and how to contact you. For this reason, your company address, phone number and other contact information should be easy to find on your website – usually on the contact page or even in the footer where it can be seen on all pages. You can enhance this further with information like company registration numbers or VAT numbers if you have them.
Elsewhere on your website, you can increase trust by giving customers a glimpse behind the scenes. Blogs and news articles are excellent for letting customers know the company is genuine, while ‘Meet the Team’ pages let them know that you are real people.
Professional design and user experience
First impressions count and a website that doesn’t look professional can quickly put customers off. A well-designed site goes beyond this, offering a seamless user experience that shows you take your online presence seriously. Just like a physical store, your site needs to be tidy, welcoming and easy to navigate. This keeps visitors engaged and helps them quickly find what they’re looking for. Attention to detail matters too, so remember to use consistent branding, high-quality images and a coherent colour scheme.
When it comes to user experience, a website needs to load quickly, be mobile-friendly and be easy to navigate. It must also be accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities. Doing this will not only demonstrate your commitment to inclusivity and build additional trust; it can also ensure all customers can shop with you, potentially boosting income. Other important features to consider include chatbots and FAQ sections which help visitors find the information they need.
Today, it’s never been easier to create professional websites yourself, using platforms like WordPress or Website Builder, where there is no need for coding. However, you can also use professional web designers and developers.
Need more info? Read: What to Consider When Hiring a Web Designer or Developer
Social proof and testimonials
According to recent research, 89% of consumers read reviews when shopping online. This is done not just to get information about products, people do it to make sure they can trust the company that they are buying from. Is it a real company? Is it reliable, honest and fair? Does it deliver on its promises? With so many people using social proof, websites that want to win visitor trust have little choice but to embrace it.
What does this mean? It means you will need to sign up and let people leave reviews of your business on sites like Google, Facebook and Trustpilot. If you sell products online, you may need to enable product reviews on your site, so visitors can see what other customers have said. While you cannot expect top reviews every time, what they will do is give a fair picture of your business to potential customers. In truth, a business that has nothing but five-star reviews can look too good to be true, so don’t be too disheartened if not all the reviews are glowing. What they do show, however, is that your business is genuine and transparent – both essential for building trust.
There are other ways to provide social proof beyond ratings and reviews, these include customer testimonials and showcasing any awards, certifications or memberships of important organisations that highlight the success, status or credibility of your business. Social proof also extends to social media. By integrating your social media feed or highlighting positive social interactions, visitors can easily see how you engage with your community and the value you provide.
For more help, read: 6 Social Proof Tips for Boosting Online Sales
Secure website practices
Today’s security-conscious visitors will stay clear of any website they suspect is not secure. The last thing they will want to do is provide personal information and payment details if they have the slightest inkling this can harm them. For this reason, they need to feel confident that your site is trustworthy and secure, and the best way website owners can do this is to implement robust security measures.
This security starts with a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate, which encrypts data transmitted between your website and your visitors. This encryption ensures that payment or personal details cannot be intercepted and stolen during transit. Importantly, it can also improve search engine ranking and ensure that browsers label your website as secure when users visit it.
Another important requirement is ensuring that your web host protects your website from cyberattacks. Choosing a service provider that uses advanced firewalls and intrusion and infection prevention tools can be vital in ensuring your site is free from malware that can go on to steal user data, ransom your website or infect your visitors’ devices. Choosing reputable payment gateway providers will also ensure that transactions are protected against fraud.
Finally, remember to use strong passwords, regularly update your website’s software and plugins to remove vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit, and fortify your site with security tools like Imunify360.
Need more boost security? Read: 7 Online Security Tips for Small Businesses
Conclusion
In an era when online users are increasingly wary, building trust with your visitors is essential for long-term success. Doing this requires clear communication, a well-designed site, social proof and robust security practices. By putting these elements into place, you create an environment where visitors feel valued, safe and confident when interacting with your site.
Ready to make your website more trustworthy? Implement these strategies today and see the positive impact they have. If you’re looking for secure and reliable hosting services, check out our cPanel Hosting. Have questions or need assistance? Feel free to reach out.
