Websites are like storefronts for your business. They tell your potential customers who you are, what you do and how you can help them with their desires or problems. You want your website to appear attractive and reputable, because no matter how much traffic comes to you through a search engine if your website isn’t trustworthy to visitors they won’t stay there long.
So how can small business websites appear trustworthy?
If you want to turn website visitors into loyal customers, you need to have a company website that not only presents services well but also communicates to the viewer “Hey, you can put your trust in our brand, and therefore our products.” Here are five must-have trust signals for your small business website.
1. Testimonials
The more people love a company, the more testimonials will roll in. Users know this, and that’s why seeing positive testimonials bodes well with businesses online. Even if you have a great company and you create some of the best products in your industry, there’s no way others will know this unless you have plenty of testimonials proving that you deliver on your promises. Putting together great reviews of your business will show that others have confidence in your company.
2. Product Reviews
No one wants to buy an item that someone hasn’t used before. Even if your company has sold many items in the past, the more reviews that a product receives increases the likelihood that someone will click the “buy” button when it’s time to put an item in their cart. Consumers want to know the positives and negatives of a particular product. Customers dislike being the guinea pig in purchasing decisions.
Buyers are wary of products without any reviews because they don’t want to be disappointed when they receive the package at their doorstep. However, even a few reviews can increase the likelihood of getting potential customers to invest their hard-earned cash in your products.
3. Work Portfolio
Small business websites need impressive work portfolios on their page. This shows your potential clients that you have worked well with others in the past. It showcases some of your best work and gives your customer an idea about the type of work you do. Be sure to display the jobs that present some of your best skills and expertise in your field.
4. Badges of Membership
Consumers are constantly badgered with advertisements for businesses. From giant banners to nagging emails, everyone is boasting that they’re the best candidate for a tough job. However, when you display a certification or badge of membership on your website, people tune in a little closer. People respect authority, and customers like to see that your business is respected in your area of work.
5. Accessible Contact Information
Consumers like to know that if there’s a problem with a product they can contact the business. If they have a question about a service a company offers, they want to discuss it with someone who will take their concern seriously.
The more you can decrease the amount of risk for a customer, the happier they’ll be. That’s why accessible contact information is so important for your website. If there’s an easy way to gain access to your business contact information, they’ll be more likely to feel at ease with their monetary exchange. Make sure the contact information you provide on your website is current. Include the phone number, email address and physical location of your business.
Does Your Website Have Adequate Trust Signals?
Creating a website for your business that makes a strong impression on your customer base is priceless. With so many business websites clamoring for your client’s attention, it’s vital that your site entices and engages them the moment they land on your page. Include these five website trust signals in your small business website and you’ll start seeing the beneficial results of clients who trust you and are ready to engage with your business.
If you’re not sure that your small business website is winning over the trust and interest of its visitors, there’s a lot that can be done to improve the situation. Contact Thrive and we’ll walk you through the many effective options there are available for small business websites looking to improve their game!
