Now that the business world has largely shifted to the online world, there’s no denying that the playing field has opened up. Anyone can tap into much larger audiences and take advantage of a viral moment like never before. However, the older and more established businesses are going to be at an advantage and it’s their credibility that makes it so.
Credibility lends trust to a business, making it easier for them to get their foot into the door and to make it to the point of conversion. So, what is it that’s going to help you build credibility?
Visibility
First of all, you need to make sure that your business is getting seen, in the first place. The more that people see your brand, the more that they come to accept it, and that familiarity can also lend to curiosity, which encourages them to take an extra look. Building your online presence through search engine optimization is going to make sure that you maintain that visibility any time someone searches in terms that are related to your business. Staying visible in social media with the help of social media management tools is going to help as well, especially if you’re engaging in a way that directly connects with the community that will then go on to share content and word of mouth.
Publicity
The difference between visibility and publicity is whether you are the one who is spreading the word of your own brand or if others are doing it for you. Of course, not all publicity is good publicity, but you want to make sure that you’re able to signal boost any good news about your business, whether it’s the launch of a new product or service, an award or accolade that you have recently earned, or otherwise. Networking with others in the business can help you boost your platform, but it’s always a good idea to consider working with a public relations agency that has the connections as well as the experience of helping get their clients’ names into places of prominence. Getting mentioned in the right website can do a lot more for your credibility than making your own visible.
Reputation
Once you start getting your name out there, you have to make sure that it has stood the test of time and held strong. Specifically, you need to foster customer loyalty. This way, you can encourage customers to offer feedback that you can use as testimonials or populate the most popular review sites relevant to your business. As such, when someone looks up your business’s name, one of the first things they should see is the glowing reviews and positive reception that others have left for it. Another way to build this immediately recognizable reputation is to look at what trust badges you can display on your website. Industry-specific accreditations are the most valuable of these.
The tips above can help you start fostering credibility, authenticity, and authority. However, it’s the performance of your business and your ability to keep customers satisfied that is going to maintain it in the long term. Never forget that.
