You already know that it’s important to build trust with consumers. So many businesses are now going online. So how do you provide the kind of trust your customers need to buy from you confidently? You need social proof as well as generating leads so people know who you are. This can be hard in the ocean of competition out there. It isn’t easy to get people to stick with your brand.
Understand that your consumers wouldn’t trust a business if they don’t see signs to prove that they should feel comfortable handing over their private information. This is why you must gain their trust. Social proof is the way to do it. This is actually psychological and it builds essential trust. Basically, if other people are liking and using the product, it gives new customers the confidence to also purchase your stuff. Company interaction is also really important, as consumers deeply appreciate this.
Here are some of the ways you can build social proof for your business site. You also have the opportunity of getting more sales and boosting lead generation. It’s an all around win.
1. Polish your website
Your website needs to look really good when someone lands on it. It has to be easy to use. If your mission is to build your audience and sell products, this is one of the essential things you have to do. It doesn’t have to cost a lot. You can do it yourself with the great apps out there or get someone to do it for a minimal fee. Fiverr, of course, is a great place to find someone to do your website for very little.
When your site looks good, you prove to visitors that you are legit. No clutter, no filler. A simple homepage that shows your value to the community is key. Let people know what you do on the main page. This helps build trust, which is going to lead to more sales. If there is any vagueness or lack of transparency, they will be gone before you know it.
Make sure to test links, contact forms, and call to action components. If things are functioning properly, it doesn’t matter how pretty your site looks, people will leave. Navigation and all avenues of communication should be really easy for visitors.
If somebody wants to sign up for your email list, this should be quick and easy. A matter of filling out a short form and Submit. Make sure you test functionality.
2. Collect Reviews
What better way to get social proof than to ask current customers for feedback. This allows you to see what could be better, but you can also post the great feedback and reviews you get. Gather all of the reviews across social media and share it.
Feedback is going to allow you to figure out what your customers need. Say they recommend you create a certain product and this is a consistent comment. You can see that it will fly if you create it. So not only are you building your trust so new customers will buy, you also have valuable information on how you can keep current customers by answering their prayers.
Recognizing your customers’ pain points and solving their problems will make them big fans. You also leverage for more sales.
When it comes to reviews, 72% of people read reviews before buying a product. They feel more confident about purchasing something that has good reviews because they made the purchase based on an informed decision. Let’s face it, none of us like getting ripped off and disappointed from making a bad purchase when we could have prevented it.
Make sure that your customers can easily leave feedback on individual products so that people get a good idea of what they’re buying. This brings on the trust and establishes a good connection between your brand and the buyer.
3. Make Social Media Your Friend
Statistics say that nearly 4 billion people are using social media. This is how we communicate nowadays. Conversations that occur through social media platforms largely influence consumer decisions. Engagement on social media is absolutely mandatory. Start talking about your products and the community of people involved in what you do.
Social listening software is one way to keep your hands on the pulse of what people want. This allows you to be notified when your brand name or hashtag has been mentioned on any social media. This allows you to figure out who your target audience is.
Establish yourself as the expert with helpful tips. Also, make sure to keep on loving the subscribers you already have. This includes offering giveaways online, creating polls, and sharing valued content with them.
4. Leverage Influencers
An influencer is someone who has a large following on social media. This could be Facebook, Instagram, or even a blog post. These personalities have gained in popularity for their ability to engage, as opposed to the products they sell. They are the product.
Influencers can take your efforts further. They will often take on sponsorships for a product or service that is alignment with their message. This is actually what helps them to make a living. For you, it is a powerful way to build social proof. They might have millions of followers that highly respect them. When they offer their opinion, people listen. Their fans will make decisions based on the opinions and thoughts of their favorite influencers.
Work with an influencer who is willing to promote your product. This can seriously gain a lot of traffic for you with people that already trust you. It could be pricy but chances are, it’s going to be highly effective and well worth the money.
Yes, there is a lot of competition for online sales. However, if you follow these strategies, you will be building social proof. This is one of the most important things when it comes to making sales. Building that trust is everything. Any offers you give them won’t matter if they don’t trust you. Make your site look good, make it functional. Get feedback and listen to what customers want. Make sure that you have reviews on individual products, and take care of the customers you already have with consistent engagement. This will help your online business thrive even with all the competition out there.
