One second. One glance. Everything rides on your customer’s first impression. On average, you can expect roughly 50% of website traffic to bounce and leave the landing page without clicking or exploring what you have to offer. If your bounce rate is higher than a 50/50 split, something needs to be fixed. Is your site irrelevant, unimpressive, outdated, or off-putting?
Trustworthiness is an essential factor that’s hard to measure, but easy to improve. Follow this online trust and safety checklist to make website visitors feel more at home.
1. Choose the right domain
Clean links make all the difference! The main URL of your website should be easy to read, type, and understand. Internal page links and anchor text should also be carefully organized for site navigation.
Avoid copycat links that redirect from typos; it might look like you’re stealing traffic away from the intended destination.
If you’re hosting an ecommerce shop, consider setting up a .shop domain so that visitors know where they’re headed before the webpage even opens.
2. Create a secure connection
SSL certificates make websites more secure by encrypting your link to the server. Visitors will see a padlock and HTTPS link in the browser, which proves that the website has been authenticated. This basic security step should be standard for every website, and customers have come to expect it
3. Monetize in a meaningful way
Are you posting ads? Mark them clearly and transparently so that visitors know exactly what they’re clicking on.
Limit ads to the sidebar or header — not both. Well-designed, trustworthy websites benefit from a little breathing room.
4. Make clickable buttons more inviting
Soften your sales language so that CTA buttons don’t feel pushy. “Shop now” feels more trustworthy than “buy now.”
UX design is all about the journey. Create a thoughtful, well-organized flow so that customers know exactly where they’re going and never have to click the ‘back’ button.
5. Post trustworthy social proof
Never post fake reviews or curated testimonials. Social proof is meant to be just that: proof.
Consider using a third-party integration to manage your reviews and feedback. This way, customers know that quotes weren’t selectively edited and posted by you.
6. Show and tell with transparency
360-degree displays, AR visualization, demonstration videos and high-resolution product photos help customers buy with confidence. Limited and low-quality graphics can feed into the common concern that what’s being sold isn’t the same as what’s being shipped.
Hire a professional copywriter to create original product descriptions and website content. You should never duplicate or copy competitor content, and that includes “spinning” text to sidestep plagiarism detectors.
7. Translate site policies
No one likes red tape. Increase trust in your website by posting site policies (shipping, returns, privacy policy, etc.) that are concise, comprehensive, and easy to understand.
Don’t hide these essential pages out of sight. In addition to placing links in the footer, it’s also a good idea to include direct links on your FAQ or contact page and during checkout.
8. Display contact information
Can customers get in touch with you to ask questions and resolve issues? Set up a responsive inquiry form, connect branded social accounts, and post a direct email for customer support.
How long will it take to get a reply? The most trustworthy websites post clear support team office hours and estimated response times.
9. Improve loading speed
Connect with an expert who can help you clean up your coding, optimize for speed, and improve responsive design on all devices.
The quality of your web host matters! Customers can see and feel the difference. Choose a premium service provider like Eastlink that offers lightning-fast hosting solutions.
