Trust is everything in business.
Especially in today’s online world where customers often research businesses before they even consider reaching out or visiting personally. And of course, trust will need to be established before a sale takes place.
But trust makes a world of difference post-sale as well.
When someone finds your company to be reliable, they are more likely to become loyal. That means repeat business, positive reviews and write-ups, and referrals to friends, family, and associates.
If you find yourself losing out on business to the competition, or struggling to keep clients happy, loyal, and spreading goodwill, read on for some trust-building tips that might just work for you. Here are 7 ways your business can earn the trust of prospects and customers.
1. Have a Presence on Social Media
Most people use social media every single day. A large percentage of people who use social media use multiple platforms as well. You can use this to your advantage, as this will give you plenty of opportunities to reach out and connect with your customers. Your consistent, genuine engagement with them will gradually build trust.
Simply having an active profile builds trust.
Interact with customers and prospects by posting regularly. Just be sure not to only post promotional or business-related content. Share industry news, humor, and quotes. Ask questions and opinions. Let customers chime in about relevant topics. These types of posts will show that you care about them as a person, not just as a customer spending money.
2. Never Doubt the Power of Reviews
Reviews by real people will have an absolutely positive impact on your business. So do everything you can to ensure customers have a great reason to review you favorably. If you ever receive a negative review, don’t get defensive. Reply amicably and try to fix the situation.
Only having positive reviews can make it seem like your company is too good to be true. Not only that, it can also seem as though your reviews aren’t genuine. If other people see that you try to fix any issues, it can build trust knowing that you care.
Try to gather testimonials from customers and display them on your website or company page. This can also attract new customers and show that your company is trustworthy.
3. Obey the Golden Rule
Most people have learned the Golden Rule in elementary school. The Golden Rule is to “treat others how you would like to be treated.” Without a doubt, this is one rule every businesses should follow.
Treating your customers with respect, integrity, and fairness (always) is something that businesses tend to fail at. Customers who don’t feel valued don’t buy, stay and refer… so go out of your way to make customers feel appreciated. That means helping them make decisions that are best for them, even if that means a lesser sale, or none at all.
4. Utilize Feedback
Customers like to be heard, especially when it comes to feedback. If you receive enough feedback about something that can be improved, make it a priority to do so. This builds loyalty, as customers who feel heard want to stick around.
5. Keep Your Promises
Promises are very important to your customers – they like to know that they can trust your company and your word. If you promise to have something delivered by Saturday, make sure it is there by Saturday. If you offer a deal or promotion, be sure to honor it.
It may seem like this goes without saying, but in reality, many companies don’t follow through on what they, or their employees say
6. Prioritize Communication
Clear and timely communication is essential in any relationship, especially business ones. Complications during communication can cause many issues. That is why you should prioritize fast and open communication with all of your prospects and customers.
There are many surefire ways for you to communicate with your customers. Email and phone are a given. But now many businesses utilize live chat, social media, video conferencing, and even texting. Many businesses continue to send faxes.
7. Deliver a Great Product
What’s the best way to earn trust? Easy. Simply deliver a great product. Make sure your product or service does what it’s supposed to do, and offers value to the customer. With great service behind that, you’ve got a recipe for trust and long-term success.
Conclusion
There are a variety of helpful methods in building and maintaining customer trust. Doing so is more important than ever and is key to maintaining a positive reputation.
These proven tips can help you bring in new customers and repeating customers as well as help expand your business. When consumers are happy with a product or company, they are more likely to suggest it to the people in their life. Word of mouth is one of the most effective marketing tools, so earn your customers’ trust and it will certainly pay off in the long run.
