Although the online community can truly
have a global reach, businesses depend on more direct contact with their
potential customers. To achieve that connection online companies strive to
build trust but that often proves difficult without any direct face-to-face
communication.
Can you really trust someone that you can't
look in the eye? As it turns out you can and hundreds of e-commerce sites have achieved
a strong bond of trust from their customers. How can you build up your
company's credibility and make your customers feel safe when they shop?
Consider these important tips:
Post a Privacy Policy
You won't be able to conduct any business
online without gathering personal information from your customers. That doesn't
mean their information can't be kept secure. Making your customers aware of
your security enhancements can give them an added peace of mind about doing
business on your website. Additionally, you should assure your customers that
their information won't be sold to a third party or used for other promotions
without their permission. This keeps them in control of their personal data and
builds up the trust.
Pick a Reliable Payment Processor
Chances are that by the time a customer
reaches your online store they will have already been accustomed to shopping
online. That's a good thing because you want smart shoppers. To help support
this you should be dealing with a reliable payment processor such as PayPal,
Moneris or others. Not only are these processors extremely user friendly but
they also provide various consumer protections like tracking payments and
chargebacks. This is something customers truly appreciate.
Put Testimonials to Work for You
If there is one thing the Internet has
taught us is that everyone likes to share their opinions. You can put positive
reviews to work for your company by making them available on your website.
Invite customers who have had a positive experience to post a review in
exchange for a future benefit or coupon. When a new customer reads these types
of reviews they'll have a sense that your business is indeed reputable and
trustworthy.
Be Visible on Social Media
Every business is based in a community.
Being highly visible on Facebook, blogging and forums helps build credibility
with your prospective customers. They appreciate that you’re trying to reach
out to them and that they can communicate with your business
representatives. Develop a relationship with your customers and create a community that revolves around your company’s
brand, products or values.
Be
Real
You have a lot of faith in your product or
services as you should. However, that doesn't mean those things you're offering
"will forever change a person's life" or "revolutionize their
very existence." Customers are leery of the hard sell. On the other hand,finding a way to use humor in your marketing campaigns can generate good
feelings. When in doubt always go for the smile.
