Top 5 Easy & Proven Ways to Increase Consumer Trust Online
by Roger Hall, BetterClix.com
Here's a news flash; your own website is working against you,
causing unfinished transactions. It’s an online commerce nightmare
that's hurting your sales right now. Some sites experience abandoned
shopping carts two or three times greater than the carts actually paid
for. That hurts.
Diagnosis; lack of consumer trust on the internet.
Driven by;
- Customers concerned you’re not who you say you are.
-
People worried their personal information is going to be compromised
when your site is hacked by a 13-year old Computer Science major.
- Purchasers who can’t sleep at night, disressed they won’t have anywhere to turn if things go sour.
What’s
a business-builder to do? You need an easy guide, so you’ll be sure
your site has the features necessary to build trust. Customer
contentment drives real business savings that add-up, year after year.
So
here, in reverse order, are the top 5 proven and inexpensive ways to
raise your customer trust toward the Stratosphere. Implement all of
these easy tips and you’ll be elated. While your hapless competition is
overwhelmed; stumbling as they try to figure-out how you’ve suddenly
managed to flourish. With their own former customers now yours.
Trust-Builder #5 - Gotta Be Hacker-Free
With
endless headlines of credit card companies having millions of personal
details compromised, it’s no wonder your site visitors are concerned.
If a bank connected with Visa can be hacked, how can customers be sure
information they give you is safe?
Ensure your site is certified
as being hacker-free by a recognized internet security company. Then
display the certification shield prominently on every page of your
site. This is easy to do, and only requires html code to be placed
one-time in your site's margin. Bonus trust points; the shield carries
today's date - always a plus with consumers, as it proves at least part
of your site is reviewed daily.
Two of the most recognized
companies are Xentinel Security and Scan Alert. There are others. Make
sure you shop around for your best deal. These companies have special
offers from time to time - ask them.
Cost: $50 to $70 a month. Time: About 30 minutes.
Here's what the security shield looks like once implemented live [ see the top-right of this web-page;www.tinyurl.com/q7k5c
Trust-Builder #4 - Get Made with Square Trade
Originally
conceived as an arbitration tool for eBay transactions, Square Trade
has expanded to become a trust-builder for all sorts of non-eBay
businesses. Square Trade certification helps your customers feel secure
about buying from you. Even if you’re pushing consulting or info
products, rather than physical items. Because they’ll know a 3rd party
is there to resolve any issues, before turning into negative feedback.
The service Square Trade provides is extremely good value for money.
It’s simple. If you’re serious about increasing faith in your online business, you must consider using Square Trade.
For
more info, visit Square Trade site and select ‘Seller Services’ at
top-right. For an example of how to use Square Trade as a marketing and
guarantee tool, go to; www.BetterClix.com . Display your certificate prominently.
Cost:
At about $9 per month, if you decide not to offer your customers Square
Trade protection, it won't be because of the price. So, what's your
reason? Time: About 45 minutes.
Trust-Builder #3 - A Picture Says a Thousand Words
You
can’t be a recluse if you want to succeed online. With an image of you
placed in front of your potential customers, it helps them see you as a
real person. What’s more, in customer eyes you’re not just another
marketer trying to sell stuff. By the way; make sure the photo quality
is good, with a well-lit image (there are a lot of poor quality images
out there – don’t add to them).
Cost: Zero (if you have a camera already). Time: About 15 minutes.
Trust-Builder #2 - Let Your Customers Do the Talking
Ask
for testimonials from your customers whenever possible. Did somebody
say it’s a new, untried product? Give a bunch away to friends,
associates even relatives. Later, get feedback from them. In addition
to testimonials themselves, place pictures of testimonial-providers
near the text on your web-page. If possible, the pictures should be of
the actual person who gave the testimonial - but this may not be
strictly required. Consider seeking legal advice on this point for
rules in your place of residence. Testimonials are critical to your
business success. They work.
Cost: Zero. Time: About 20 minutes per testimonial.
Trust-Builder #1 - Put Risk in Reverse
Offering
a cast-iron guarantee is consumer risk-reversal. If it’s clear to
potential customers you're a hardworking, responsible individual or
company, and you're the one bearing the bulk of the risk - they'll be
willing to open their wallet. Display your guarantee proudly; with a
graphic, in your web-text and in email at every opportunity.
Cost:
True, you'll end up with some returns. But if your product is truly
worthwhile, the resulting sales increase will heavily outweigh returns
by a significant margin. Time: About 1 hour to develop your policy and
place it on your site.
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