Everyone knows that you shouldn’t believe everything on the internet, but how can you tell who to believe? Since having a website for your business is one of the most effective ways to add value, it is vital to establish the company as an authority. To do so, the website must give an impression of trustworthiness. Read on and see if your business website fits the bill:
1. Limited Ads
It’s never a good sign when a website suddenly opens several pop-up ads the moment you click on it. Other than being annoying, it just shows that the business is only interested in making a profit out of the visitor count.
However, not all ads are bad. When used correctly, both visitors and site owners can benefit from them. Suitable ads can be found as banners that don’t detract from the web content and typically offer services and products related to the website’s business.
2. Updated Look and Design
If a website’s last blog post dates back months, it shows that there is not much activity from the business. This is why it’s best to post on your website’s news or blog feed consistently. An excellent alternative to this would be to post on your social media sites. The site’s copyright year should also be updated to reflect the current year.
Additionally, the website’s design must also be considered. Strategic placement of a well-crafted online logo around the site is essential to reiterate the business’ brand and identity. As for photos, they should depict unique elements that come from the business, not free-to-use images like clip art.
3. Grammar and Spelling
A quick way to determine trustworthiness is to check for any grammatical or spelling mistakes. Too many can indicate that this website’s content has not undergone quality checking. If the copy hasn’t been proofread, you can bet that the information it provides may not have come from trusted sources.
4. Social Media Presence
You can add social media widgets to your website so visitors can see who your followers are and how many the business has. Seeing whether or not anyone they know also follows you and having a large enough follower base can let visitors recognize that you’ve earned the trust of many loyal customers, building up the business’ reputation.
5. Physical Address and Phone Number
It’s easier to trust a business website that has an address listed on its contact page. It tells site visitors that your business has an office they can go to, and if your sale transactions happen completely online, it lets them know where you’re operating from.
Similar to a physical address, having a phone number on the site assures visitors that if ever online communications fail, they can always call to speak with a real person on the other end. Even small enterprises should be able to provide a mobile number in the absence of an office.
6. Security and Trust Certificates
Lastly, a good business website is secure, often by having a padlock sign on your web browser’s search bar. They also have trust seals from payment software when you checkout during online shopping.
Not all websites are created alike, and ensuring the presence of all these signs can be a tall order. But these can protect you from getting scammed or spreading misinformation. Moreover, if you’re an entrepreneur in building a business website, following the signs can help your brand look more professional to your customers.
