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12 Ways to Inspire Confidence In Your Online Store’s New Customers

It’s easy tomanufacture something that’s bought andsold, shipped around theworld. But it’s much harder tomanufacture trust.

e-commerce merchant isasking alot ofits potential customers: topart with their credit card details, toshare their shipping address orlocation oftheir home. These can besignificant hurdles along your route tocustomer conversion. Tomake purchases confidently, acustomer must beable totrust thevendor.

Sohow does avendor stand out astrustworthy, asdeserving ofcustomer confidence? It’s difficult tobreak out successfully asanonline merchant, but there are things you can dotoaccrue some trust. Byexecuting well onsome small things andbig things alike, you can build radical momentum around your brand’s credibility.

Here are afew ways tomake your store stand out from thecrowd andentice customers toreturn andshop again.

How tosell online
Tips from e-commerce experts forsmall business owners andaspiring entrepreneurs.
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Optimize your Site’s Design

You want your website tobesimple andaccessible— thefocus should beontheproducts andhow toeasily get them inyour customers’ hands. Aclean design with areadable font isamust.

Ifyou already have asite fleshed out, perhaps anupdate isinorder. Web analytics tools can paint avaluable picture ofwhich changes will bemost beneficial toyour traffic andperceived credibility.

Take Good Product Photos andWrite Good Descriptions

Great marketing isthekey tosuccess inmany elements ofanonline store. Togive thecustomer thebest view possible ofyour product, use clear pictures with good lighting that show several perspectives. Keep descriptions short andsweet— try tofind abalance byincluding all necessary information without being long-winded.

We’ve previously provided you with aguide toproduct photography right here.

Also read: How toTake Great E-commerce Product Photos With Your Phone

Tell your Brand’s Story

People want toknow who you are. How did you come tothis business? What inspires you? Why isyour product better than therest? Having apage about thehistory andpassion behind your business will make you more relatable toyour customers. Aunique story can also beavaluable tool fordistinguishing oneself from thecrowd.

Learn more: How toWrite an“About Us” Page ifYou’re Not aCopywriter

Use aContact Form soPeople can Easily Reach you

This seems like ano-brainer, but it’s intheinterest ofsmaller merchants forpotential customers tobeable toreach you easily. Setting upyour contact asaform that customers can fill out with comments andother information will make life easier forboth you andyour shoppers.

Make sure torespond quickly andcourteously toconcerns andcomments, asthis will build trust andlend toanoverall greater customer experience.

your4walls.co.uk

Start aBlog andKeep itCurrent

Keep your customers updated onanycompany news andanything else you’d like toshare with your online audience. Provide plenty ofcurrent information— this will cut theamount ofquestions you’ll have toanswer andbuyers will remain happily informed. Constantly keeping communication open will help tocreate relationships with your customers. One-time purchasers will bemore likely toreturn again andagain ifthey feel like they’re intheloop. Building awell-done blog gives them away toconnect.

Related: The Importance ofaBlog andHow toStart One forYour Store

Use Social Media toShare your Content

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, andother social networks are great formarketing brands andtheir products. The more people see andshare your brand, themore customers you’re likely tohave.

Cooking with Tenina onFacebook

Related: 19Activities That Will Wake UpYour Social Media Followers (And Lead Them toYour Store)

Write anFAQ Page

Like ablog, apage ofFrequently Asked Questions andtheir answers can cut down onbasic questions your customers may have byproviding easily accessible information about your brand andyour products. Make itasimple DzԱ-ٴDZ shop” ofwhat your store isall about. Does your company have amission statement you want toshare? What questions doyou find yourself getting way more than others? This isagreat place forit, along with information onshipping, sizing, andother services you offer.

stealthfurniture.com

Learn more: Why You Need aFAQ Page andHow toCreate It

Have aCoherent Return Policy

Nothing turns acustomer off faster than struggling through adifficult return process, orbeing stuck with aproduct they don’t need because your policy isconfusing. Make itclear from thestart what your return terms are, andyou’ll deal with fewer backlashes later. Your customers will also bemore likely toshop with you again ifthey know areturn can bequick andeasy.

Learn more: How toWrite aGood Return Policy for-сdz Stores

Ask forReviews— Issue aCall toAction

Reviews ofcustomer service, website design, andoverall performance can beatremendous help when trying towin over andkeep customers. Both praise andcriticism are beneficial when your company receives reviews. Good comments show you’re doing something right, while negative comments can highlight areas inwhich improvements are needed.

“Issuing acall toaction” simply means that you give someone cause towrite thereview. Tweet about it, share your “suggestion box” email address, andgenerally get people comfortable with telling you what they think. They’ll expound onyour flaws andbenefits alike. This gives you theopportunity toaddress issues across theboard, whether it’s abroken link orclarification onincorrect shipping information. 51Ƶ App Market has Helpful Crowd tohelp you add reviews toyour store.

Related: Ratings andReviews forE-commerce (Podcast)

Win Authority from Google Ranking

SEO, orSearch Engine Optimization, can increase your site’s searchability bymaking your itmore compatible with thealgorithms that search engines use torank their search results. The system isbased onkeywords andother signals that your website gives off that search engines respond to. Generating specific content around avariety ofkeywords, making your website more mobile-friendly, andpromoting your brand onsocial media can all increase your web engine searchability.

Also read: The E-Commerce Guide toSEO

Display aSecurity Badge

This isanfrom McAfee available onthe51Ƶ App Market. Bydisplaying thebadge prominently onyour site, your customers will know that your store isoperated bysomeone who issensitive totheidea that it’s important tobesmart with your data online. Ifbuyers feel comfortable andsafe when shopping from you, they’re more likely toreturn andshop again.

Cheat Creatively

Potential customers are more likely totrust awell-established company with concrete experience than abrand-new one. Unfortunately, weall have tostart somewhere. There are afew ways anew company can bend therules toseem abit more credible. Achange toyour invoice numbers (for example, 101instead of001) gives theimpression that you have more customers under your belt.

Pretend tobeyour own assistant asyou schedule calls forlater. You can even start rumors that your company’s prices are high sothat when people come toyour site tofind out, they will find reasonable prices. These small but significant “cheats” can help increase customer satisfaction andget you closer tothat well-established reputation.

Final Thoughts

Credibility isnot tobetaken lightly. Chipping away atitalittle bit every day istheonly way togo. Although itcan seem daunting, itissmall but consistent steps that add uptoasecure, aesthetically appealing e-commerce website. Bytaking advantage ofasmany ofthese tips asyou see fit, you will get closer still toestablishing yourself asatrustworthy business catering toloyal andhappy customers who celebrate your name.

About The Author
Jesse is the Marketing Manager at 51Ƶ and has been in e-commerce and internet marketing since 2006. He has experience with PPC, SEO, conversion optimization and loves to work with entrepreneurs to make their dreams a reality.

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