Trust is essential to website conversions. Even in today’s culture, when one is trying to “hook up” with someone else, there has to be something in their profile or meeting them that tells that person they can trust them. A website is no different. You’re essentially trying to “hook up” with your viewer in the sense that you are hoping to convert them down the road to a lead and then a sale. And just like in today’s dating scene where apps like Tinder or sites like Match, by the time they come to your profile they have seen several or more other profiles. It’s the same when a viewer comes to your site, it is a good chance they have seen several on the subject before yours or will see several after. So while they’re on your site, you must capture website viewers’ trust and make it memorable. Here are 5 tips on how to do just that.
1) Stated value proposition.
A stated value proposition means is you need to state who you are, what you do, and the biggest benefit to the viewer right up front on the site, usually the header. You only have a few seconds to catch their attention, so you want to put your best foot forward.
Example: (Company Name) Houston’s reliable transport services.
2) Testimonials.
I don’t care what your company is, does, or does not do. If you are providing a service or product to someone, you have clients. You want to show you have happy clients. This is common sense and really is not new, it is just digital now. Back in the 60’s people asked their neighbors and sometimes even strangers about a service. People know a company will say they are the best whatever. So they will trust a stranger over a company line any day. Capture those happy customer reviews and put them on your site. You should have at least one of your homepage and service pages.
PRO TIP: Embed a Good review (code and all) into your site instead of copy and pasting the text. This will show that the reviews are real.
3) Visible policy and terms of service.
People care a lot about their privacy, especially when it comes to the use of their personal information online. Most users want to feel secure before providing private information, such as their home address.
A Privacy Policy is not only the legally required document to disclose your practices on protecting personal information, but it’s also a great way to show users that you can be trusted, and that you have procedures in place to handle their personal information with care.
4) Website Designed for Mobile.
By statcounter.com, mobile views now account for over 50% of all website views. What that translates for you is web viewers EXPECT a viewable website on mobile browsers. When that doesn’t happen, in many cases, the viewers start second-guessing if you really have their best interests in mind.
What does design for mobile mean? That means the website needs to load quickly (preferably under 2 seconds). The site needs to fit the mobile screen. Also, the website needs to look well designed, where elements are not overlapping in areas they shouldn’t.
5) Social media accounts linked up to your website?
Your social media (if used right) should be what you use to stay connected to your intended audience. It (by default) is what most businesses use to push quick content out and do a lot of rapid-fire marketing. You want your website viewers to stay connected to you, and viewers want to see how connected you stay with their potential clients. If your company gives quality products and services, you want your viewers to see that through your social media.