Credibility is one of the most important factors that can boost the online success of any business and boost your website’s credibility.

There is, of course, much to plan with a website, but the more you can do to boost its credibility, then better. So, when people come to your website if they immediately feel they can trust it, they will keep browsing.

There are 3 stages of establishing credibility:

  • Perceived credibility. First impressions last. You have about a minute or less to create a great first impression.
  • Proven credibility. This is where visitors will click through links on the site to see reviews and do more research.
  • Credibility over time. This is how fresh your content is. The more frequent a site is updated with new and dynamic content, then more it will be indexed.

So what are 5 ways that you can boost your website’s credibility?

1. Professional design

This should go without saying, but the more professional a website looks, the more it is perceived as credible. Make sure that the content is easy to read and that pictures look beautiful. There is a trend now for websites to have a one-page, graphic-rich scrolling design. The website must be designed so that it looks good on mobile devices as well. Now more people access the internet from a mobile device that from a laptop or desktop. Make sure that links all work and that they are clearly accessible. Test your website on all types of devices and internet browsers to make sure that it looks good on all of them.

2. Keep content fresh, relevant and accurate

In times past, to try to rank high in Google, business websites would often sacrifice quality for quantity. This is no longer the case and Google also penalizes websites that do this. Google now rewards websites that have fresh and relevant content posted. This will bring more visitors to your site. Of course, it isn’t just enough to please Google. The main goal is to provide high-quality content for your visitors.

Make sure that all content posted is 100% unique and error free. There is nothing to undermine more than bad grammar and poorly constructed sentences.

You can keep content fresh by blogging regularly. So look for industry-related news items. Report on what others are doing. You can also post case studies on how your service or product has benefited others.

3. Use SSL certificates and security seals

An SSL certificate makes sure that any information is properly encrypted and can’t be hacked into by third parties. This is especially important if you take sensitive data from visitors. So on pages where you accept online payments, record customers’ data or even just get an email address, use an SSL certificate. Then back this up by a trust seal. If you accept credit cards, then have these logos displayed. If payments are taken offsite by a third-party vendor, like PayPal, let customers know this. Do what you can to assure them that their information is safe at all times.

4. Testimonials and reviews

Customers’ reviews and testimonials can make a sale. Positive reviews make consumers trust the product more. Even some negative reviews can actually have a positive impact. Studies also show that websites with mixed reviews are more credible.

Testimonials also boost a website’s credibility. Keep these short and, if possible, and identify the person who provided the testimonial.

5.  Social media

This can’t be emphasized enough – all businesses should have a presence across all the major social media platforms. This gives a fantastic opportunity to build up a following. It also gives a chance for people to leave reviews and comments. You can also respond and interact with your customers.

If you follow these, you can be sure that your website will be seen as credible.


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