By Kyle Courtright
In a competitive world, small business credibility is of the utmost importance. If your small business lacks credibility, consumers can and will take their business elsewhere.
People work hard for their money, if they question your credibility even just for a second, they are as good as gone. Whether you have a startup or an existing small business there are always ways to give your credibility a boost.
1. Social Media
I know, I know. We’ve all heard it before, but for good reason. Social media plays a huge role in today’s culture. If you don’t have a social media presence, start one today. If you have just a few hundred likes or followers, you will benefit from growing that social media footprint. Think about it, would you rather buy a car from a reputable small business that has a good social media following, or would you rather buy from a new small business that has no sort of online presence?
It all comes down to accountability. The more activity online is more peace of mind for a potential client. When they see great reviews, pictures and lots of followers, they know that other people have had a great experience with that reputable small business. The new small business without any social media? It could be a great company with great products, but how does a consumer know that?
It’s daunting to start but it’s worth it. Create an online presence, your business will benefit.
2. Testimonials
Never underestimate the power of positive feedback. Whether it’s testimonials that you post on your website, Google reviews, or great feedback on your Facebook page, good customer feedback will instantly boost your credibility.
Do you have a customer that has been great to work with? Ask them for a testimonial! When people know that you treat your customers well creates a sense of trust and they are much more likely to become a paying customer.
3. Branding
Branding is so important when it comes to your business for so many different reasons. One of those reasons is that good branding creates trust. When a business looks good, people are drawn to it. People tend to be much more excited to try restaurants with a cool vibe and good marketing, rather than a sketchy restaurant with a sign out front and a few tables inside. Why? Because humans are visual. Spend the money to brand your small business well, put effort into the way that your small business looks.
These are just a few ways to really boost your small business credibility. If you learn to view your business from an outsider’s perspective, you’ll begin to be able to identify which aspects of your business may be helping or hurting your small business. Don’t underestimate the power of credibility, you might be surprised at what a big impact some of these tactics could have on your business.
What have you done to increase the credibility of your small business?
