Brand trust is defined as a consumer’s expectation for a brand to operate the way it promises it will. We’re in an age where people are relying more and more on brand trust to make decisions about where to take their business. A good website can help tell your brand story and build trust with your audience. Here are some tips to make sure your website helps build brand trust.
Keep Your Website Technology Up-to-Date
Web technology is constantly changing. Most modern website platforms will offer updates for different components of the website. Depending on the Content Management System (CMS) you use, it may be called Plugins or Modules. It’s important to keep these up to date for security as well as website performance. Updating your technology will help keep your website functioning as it should.
Make Sure Your Site Loads Fast
People don’t want to wait for a website to load. A fast website shows you are keeping up with current technology and that you value your audience’s time. There are a lot of online tools to check your website speed. Also make sure your website is optimized for desktop, tablet and mobile devices. Small adjustments can make a big difference!
Deliver Fresh Content
Fresh content shows you’re alive and well. Blogs are a great way to keep your content fresh. They also give you the opportunity to deliver your expertise to people who might not know who you are. If you don’t have a blog, focus on other areas of your website you can update. The homepage is often the most visited page on your website so it’s a good area to put effort. Even if its something small like updating photos, good imagery can go a long way to delivering your brand message. Videos are also an excellent way to get a message across and tell a brand story.
Maintain Brand Consistency
Your website content should be consistent with the rest of your brand. We’ve all been to websites that feel like Frankenstein’s monster. When writing website content, it important for the voice of the brand to come through. To take that a step further, the content formatting should also be consistent. If people come to a page on your website that doesn’t feel the same as the rest of the site, it can send the message that you’re sloppy or not detail-oriented.
Keep Your Audience in Mind
The direction of the website should always be focused on your target market rather than your own personal preferences. This is true for website functionality as well as content. You should always do research to find out what your audience is looking for. Even if you fall within your target market, you need to be careful that your own opinions don’t cloud what the data says your audience wants. Whether it’s a new website build or creating a new blog post, your audience is #1.