3 Ways To Build Trust In An Online Business
March 25, 2010 by: adminThe old saying “honesty is the best policy” is not just nice in the offline world, it’s a must in the online world. I suppose you can make a few bucks by cheating a few customers, but sooner or later they are all going to end up in forums and complain, people are going to rant you out very quickly and drive you at of business.
Under Promise and Over Deliver
Be focused on creating a great product. Do not mislead or exaggerate because you will be discovered. Just focus on building a great product in an ethical manner. Focus on building your long-term reputation, not on making quick sales. Stand out by thinking about your customers and their needs.
Your Customers Are Real People
Treat them as such. Answer their needs. Predict their on-going needs and build a product or support for the new directions your company will go. Have a clear contact us page, forum or telephone number stated clearly on your site so people can reach you quickly. Listen to their feedback and email and respond quickly. Some of their needs are just small oversights which take very little time to remedy. Be open, admit any mistakes you made, and let your customers know that you care about them by fixing those mistakes.
Have Clear Policies on Your Site
Be clear of what you will do with personal information people leave on your site. Make sure you adhere to all data protection laws. If you are selling something online, make sure you have a secure way of taking payments. SSL is the common way to send sensitive information online. Have a prominent SSL certificate logo on your site so people know you are protecting their transactions. Publish a security policy. Have the privacy policy and security policy pages accessible from any page on the site. If you are part of any well known industry associations or BBB, have their seal displayed on your site.
