Just as with brick and mortar businesses, credibility can be one of the most important factors that contribute to the success of your business online. Anyone who has witnessed the number of online business explode in recent years knows that in order to build a successful brand, you need to stand out from the crowd. Strengthening your credibility is one way to create a solid online brand.
Include customer testimonials on your website
One of the most persuasive forms of advertising is word of mouth. A close second to that, however, is customer testimonials. There is something about reading a statement (or watching a video) from someone who loves your products or services — but who does not have ties to your company other than being a happy customer — that is more convincing than several pages of sales text.
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If you use written testimonials, you can sprinkle them throughout your website, even placing them in the sidebar using a widget that rotates through several testimonials. Don’t just save them for your sales pages. Be sure to include the names of the customers for added credibility. Ask permission first.
Add a ‘Recent Press’ page to your website
Anytime your company sends out a press release or is mentioned anywhere around the internet, be sure to capitalize on the exposure. Add links to articles where your company is mentioned favorably and scan copies of articles from physical publications like magazines and local or national newspapers if applicable.
Display your accomplishments on your website
If your company has been the recipient of any awards, recognitions, or industry accomplishments, display them proudly on your website. If your company puts out a newsletter or has a blog, make mention of the award, being sure to stress how rare or valuable the award is and what it took to accomplish it. You can display your awards using widgets and icons, in your header or in your sidebar. It also doesn’t hurt to mention your awards in your sales letters.
Show your customers how popular you are
Showing proof of your popularity on social media via social following stats can help boost your customers’ confidence in your brand. It also demonstrates how engaged and approachable you are over social media. High social sharing numbers can be an indication that you are putting out valuable content that people appreciate. With that in mind, be sure to place social sharing buttons around your site in order to make it as convenient as possible for people to share your content.
Become the likable expert in your industry
Become a thought leader in your space by creating valuable educational content that you can give away for free to your email list subscribers. Excellent types of content to give away are special reports, white papers, pdf ebooks, or video courses.
If you focus on a pressing problem that your customers typically suffer from, you can position your free resource as the solution to that problem. It will instantly give you credibility and keep them coming back for more of your solutions.
Keep it conversational
It can be tempting to try to adopt an overly “professional” or academic tone on your website and blog, but that is a definite turn-off to potential customers. Rather than be dazzled by your vast library of jargon and arcane knowledge, customers want to buy from someone who they feel they can trust. Focus on discovering who your ideal customer is and then tailor all of your language to suit them. Use their voice to speak to them and they will automatically find you more credible than your competitor who talks down to them.
With huge interest in digital marketing and branding, Monique Craig works at Oneflare. Oneflare provides the easiest way to find reliable and experienced tradesmen in Australia.
