We’ve come to a point when it is so simple to get a website designed and start offering products and services to a vast number of people. Having a nice-looking and mobile-friendly website is unquestionably an advantage in the everlasting goal of gaining customers, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that people will run to your website and start filling those virtual carts.

Potential customers can come to your website, start to browse, and on the first sign of doubt they will be gone, never to come back. As stated by Magicdust, a Sydney web designer , on the internet people will seldom just assume that you are trustworthy, especially if they haven’t heard of you before, so trust is something that you need to actively communicate and establish. It is clear that creating a trustworthy website presents a crucial element for any online business that wants to increase sales and to retain customers. So, what can you do about it?

1.  Brand Longevity

One of the ways to assure visitors that they are wise to put their trust in you is to highlight how long you have been around. Many companies use their years of experience to enhance their authenticity and to present themselves as experts in a certain field. So, if you have been around a while it’s good to flaunt it.

Some website designs emphasize a small number of their most reputable clients to communicate that they are an established business. Others opt for presenting the total number of served customers. EIther way is a great way to demonstrate longevity.

2.  Media Logos and Quotes

Getting media coverage is very valuable for companies who are seeking to develop a strong reputation. To be featured in prominent magazines adds an instant proof of acclaim. This shows that they are worthy enough to have received attention and brands that have been featured in the press should maximize the benefits and exhibit their mentions on their websites.

3.  Authentic Testimonials

Getting social proof is absolutely essential if you are trying to create a positive image. People tend to instinctively believe other people in their group, even those that they don’t know, and will view their comments as a confirmation that your product or service is as good as you claim it to be. You should anticipate this and offer your website visitors feedback from people who have used your products in the past. And adding a face to the testimonial enhances the credibility and heightens the chances of building the necessary trust.

One important thing to have in mind when setting testimonials is to include genuine feedback from your real customers. It is known that companies use fake testimonials and that could jeopardize the idea and value testimonials bring.

A good practice that works for both established companies and startups is to ask your customer to provide feedback after they receive your product or use your service. Send them a short survey at an appropriate time after purchase and ask them about their experience. If you have a satisfied customer, and that is what you should be aiming for, take a step further and ask for their permission to write you a review or be featured on your testimonial section.

4.  Likes and Follows on Social Media

Your target customers are most likely active on social media or have at least one social media account, so it is a plus if your business has a good social media following. This is something that is surely worth mentioning as it places you one step closer to the daily life of the prospect. Many companies add widgets and add-ons on their homepage to show how many fans and followers they have. Large fan bases indicate credibility and such companies gain people’s trust more easily.

5.  Free Trials

A good practice that many businesses use to build trust is offering a free trial. A couple of things that go in favour of free trials are:

  1. people like free stuff
  2. people don’t like or they are afraid of giving their credit card information right away, they need more time
  3. by offering free trial you let your future customer try the product first, so they know what they are buying upfront

Companies who offer free trials are demonstrating confidence in their product. The reality is that a good percentage won’t convert to paid customers. Nevertheless, it is one of the best ways to influence visitors to like and trust you. This performs well for small companies that are just getting started as well as for the ones already enjoying a good reputation.

6.  Our Team

For small or new businesses who might not be gaining the traction for press coverage or a large following to get social proof, one simple yet effective way to add an element of trust is to put a photo of themselves and the team on the website. Along with the name, title and the photo of each employee there can be a sentence or two that describes a person’s role in the company. You can even get creative here and write some witty statements that will get your visitors to experience an instant bond with your employees and your business.

7.  Create Valuable Content

The purpose of almost every business and its website design is to generate sales. But people aren’t usually in a “ready to buy” mindset the first time they visit your website. You have to work on getting them there. Instead of creating merely persuasive content, and risk getting potential customers to be turned off by your too salesy approach, you should choose to educate your visitors with helpful content. And not in a way where you obviously push your products. At your disposal are blogs, knowledge bases, case studies and every other way that you can think of to publish resources that answer questions, provide valuable information and generally support the benefits of using your product or service.

8.  Secured Website Design

Security is an essential component of a trustworthy website design. Businesses must ensure a safe and secure visitor experience. By undertaking actions to make your website design secure, visitors will let their guard down and start feeling safe to engage with you.

Your security message can be displayed in different places. While many websites show a security message on the homepage, some companies prefer displaying security logos prominently on each page, and others are placing badges on their footer or checkout page. A trust seal is an indicator that a company values online security and undertakes real actions to provide a secure online place on their website.

SSL Certificates have been essential for ecommerce websites and are now becoming essential for all websites. Google has been leading this push for greater online security by giving preference to websites that have an SSL in their search results. It is now established best practice that every website design should have an SSL However, there are still a lot of websites that haven’t caught up and still don’t have them.

So, in conclusion, by implementing all these trust builders you will set your website toward gaining credibility and holding visitors’ trust.