6 Steps to Small Business Credibility Online

Building business credibility with potential customers and clients who find you online is an important task. Your website needs to scream (or at least state clearly) that you are the company to meet their need, solve their problem, or otherwise earn their patronage. Even your current customers will appreciate the reassurances that a well thought out website and social media presence provides.

Start with your current satisfied customersNAZwebz Studio | freelance WordPress website designer

Social proof (aka testimonials, reviews, rave comments left on social media) goes a long way to build your small business’s credibility. If the customers who have already done business with you are gushing with praise, prospective customers can’t help but be impressed. Start asking your customers or clients for reviews and testimonials. Share the best of them directly on your website. If someone posts a complaint rather than a rave review, reach out to them within the same platform and ask how you can make things better. If the problem requires a more private conversation to resolve, don’t continue publicly but make sure people who see the complaint will also see that you were prompt about making the effort to improve.

Build a strong brand identity

Even while you’re expressing your unique style you still want to be perceived as professional. Take the time to develop a strong brand identity that connects your website to your social media to your email campaigns. Your customers should recognize your small business wherever they find it, not just on your website.

That said, make sure your website doesn’t let you down. Your site should look modern and professional, including the domain. Purchase a domain that clearly states who you are and/or what you do (you can have more than one). By all means, don’t make the mistake of using a domain that gives credit to the company hosting your site. You may choose to build a site on WordPress.com, Wix, or Squarespace but make sure you don’t leave their name in your domain. Make the investment to get “yourbusiness.com” rather than settling for “yourbusiness.wordpress.com.”

Let your personality shine through

Don’t hide who you are behind a veil of business lingo that your customers won’t relate to. For the small business owner, this is an opportunity to stand out from the crowd of corporate-owned shops that can’t bring the web browsing community right into the store with them. You can. Even a seriously professional office can step away from the ready-made template and expose a little of what sets them apart from their competition. Take advantage of the opportunity you have to make unique choices in your web design and online marketing strategy.

Blog, blog, blog

Don’t stop working on your website when it’s officially launched on the Internet. Create content for your site that reflects your knowledge of your industry. Just don’t be so technical that only your colleagues and peers are able to understand. Even if you don’t think your small business lends itself to good blog content, find a way to add a fresh take on what you’re doing. If you run a bakery, post some of your favorite recipes that you aren’t producing in your shop. There’s always something you can post about that will build your business credibility.

Get active on social media

Use your business social media accounts to engage with people. The more you interact with others the faster your trust and credibility will increase. Use the opportunity to be genuine and transparent. Online audiences know they have options, so use the time they give you to really connect with them. Answer their questions, without always pushing them to your website. Listen to your fans, followers, and prospects. Respond in a way that demonstrates how much you value them. Check-in on your accounts at least once a day so your responses are delivered in a timely manner.

Believe

Incorporate these techniques and tactics into your online marketing strategy and you’ll see your business credibility climb in the minds of your customers and clients. But don’t stop there. You also have to believe in yourself — that you are the person, and the business, that delivers on your promises and exceeds expectations. Your confidence is contagious. Your communication will ooze with the confidence that you’re the one who will get the job done.

Sources:

https://convertwithcontent.com/5-ways-build-online-credibility/

https://www.fabipaolini.com/build-credibility-online/

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/279937

24-Hour Access: Why It’s Important To Your Business

Your small business website provides 24-hour access to the most important details about your business and lets you show off your products and services.

Consumers Are Doing Their Research

NAZwebz Studio | freelance WordPress website designerHave you noticed in your own life, most of your online “shopping” is focused more on researching products, services, and the providers in your area? I know, for me, this is true.

When a situation arises that I need to find a solution for, I go online and start by searching for products or services that will accomplish my goal; then I do a few searches to get an idea of what price range I should expect. Finally, I want to know if there are local resources I can call or visit. Often times, when I can’t sleep until I have my answers.

In other words, I want 24-hour access to small businesses so I can complete my information gathering whenever the need arises.

Recent studies show that roughly 81% of consumers are doing online research prior to making their purchasing decisions.

Your business website gives you the online presence necessary to be found during this critical stage of the shopping process. But does it provide what consumers are looking for?

What Are Customers Looking For?

Today’s consumers are interested in more than just your business’s name, address, and telephone number. That was enough in the days of advertising in the phone book but not anymore.

Pricing

It isn’t enough to find the product or service, potential customers want to know what it will cost them. Give customers an idea of what to expect when they do business with you. This is true even if you know that a competitor offers something similar for less. Use your website to educate customers about the value they’ll get from you.

If you’re providing services, you may not be able to give a specific price because every job is different but you can offer a “starting at…” estimate.

Testimonials & Reviews

People believe what they hear from other consumers faster than what they read on a small business’s website. Potential customers will be looking at the review sites to see what’s being said about your business. They’ll check social media. They’ll talk to their friends and family. Put the best reviews and testimonials right up front on your website.

Contact Points

Customers will also want to be able to reach out to you for customer service. Make it easy for them to find your customer service phone number and email address. Let them know when they can reach you directly or when to expect a response to email or voicemail. If you can provide a live customer service chat option, that’s even better.

Your small business website can provide outstanding customer service even at odd hours of the night.

In Conclusion

It’s all about giving customers 24-hour access to your business without having to actually keep your physical doors open.

 

Sources: https://blog.rainpos.com/12-small-business-website-statistics-you-need-to-know-to-increase-in-store-sales/

https://www.shivarweb.com/593/features-customers-most-want-from-a-local-business-website/

https://www.shopify.com/blog/customer-service

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/289508