Convincing Users that Your Brand is Legit

Consumers today are better informed than ever before - and with so many companies vying for their attention, they’re increasingly picky about who they give their hard-earned cash. Convincing users that your brand is legit and trustworthy is key and likely to mean the difference between business success and failure. Luckily, you can take plenty of steps to position your brand as authentic and one that users are keen to patronize.

Be Trustworthy

Potential users want to understand exactly what your brand stands for and what benefits they can expect from choosing it, whether in terms of products, services, or overall experience. Being transparent is crucial. Showcase the human side of your brand with, for example, bios and photos of key staff members, and be upfront about any challenges you’re facing that could affect your ability to deliver - such as unforeseen shipping delays.

Being perceived as trustworthy is undeniably great for your bottom line. According to a recent report from Forbes on the most trusted companies in the US, brands including Apple, Microsoft, and American Express all make the top 20 - it’s no coincidence that they’re three of the most successful companies in the world.

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Take Your Customer’s Safety Seriously

It’s vital to take all steps possible to protect your user’s private data. Customers are more aware than ever before that their data is at risk of being harvested. As well as being transparent about the nature of any information you’re collecting (and why you’re doing so), download a VPN to ensure sensitive data sent over the internet is kept as secure as possible. To this end, put your website visitors’ minds at rest about your site safety, too, by ensuring your e-commerce elements are as secure as possible and have top-quality virus protection in place.

Be Consistent

Consistency of brand message across all channels is an effective way of convincing users that your business is legit and attracting new audiences. Your logo, design, brand colors, and tone should be the same on your website, social platforms, physical marketing materials, and everything else. Want a masterclass in how this is done? Coffee chain Starbucks has nailed marketing consistency, with customers experiencing the same logo, colors, style, “tone” and customer experience all over the world.

Your brand voice is your business’s unique identity, and deploying it consistently helps you stand out from the crowd, and promote user loyalty - as well as boosting the recognition factor. To identify your brand voice, you need to have a deep understanding of your audience (including their needs and pain points) and align this with your business’s goals. It’s a good idea to revisit your brand voice and message regularly to ensure it continues to reflect your overarching business values and vision.

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Be Social-Proof Smart

One of the best ways to convince users that your brand is fully legit and authentic is to leverage social proof. This is about taking the power of consumer reviews to the next level by encouraging happy customers to submit user-generated content showcasing your products or services to a wider audience.

As well as including plenty of customer testimonials on your business’s website and socials, make the most of branded content to create a buzz and start a conversation about your brand and services. Don’t be shy about soliciting user-generated content to create a real human connection between your brand and potential new users.

Positioning Your Brand as Trustworthy and Transparent

The most effective means of positioning your brand as legit and trustworthy is to embrace transparency, always deliver on your promises, maintain a consistent brand voice and message, and get behind the power of social proof. Together, these strategies will build trust and loyalty and keep existing customers engaged while attracting new audiences, enabling your brand to grow and thrive.