10 Ways to Establish Trust on Ecommerce Sites and Apps

As the e-commerce business has led to an explosion, building trust with your customers has become a necessity not just to leverage your online store but to build a long-term relationship with your customers.

Notably, if we observe the behavior of online visitors neither they care about the brand’s reputation of an online store nor they care about the quality or offerings of the store’s products. The only fundamental thing that your customers care about is credibility and transparency which you need to incorporate to build a trusted e-commerce brand.

According to a global survey, “Around 56% of global consumers make online purchases at least weekly, and 10% do so daily. Trust in the platform is essential for such frequent transactions, highlighting the importance of a secure and reliable shopping experience”.

Taking a deep observation of the survey, it’s evident that trust is a key factor in converting visitors into loyal customers. Establishing trust not only boosts sales but also enhances customer retention and brand reputation.

Let’s discuss about 10 effective ways to establish trust on your e-commerce site or app:

Secure your site with HTTPS
Security is paramount for online transactions. Ensure your e-commerce website uses HTTP to encrypt and protect customer information.

Here’s a detailed guide on how you can secure a site with HTTPS while maintaining a user-friendly design:
- Implement HTTPS across the entire site
  - Acquire an SSL Certificate: Purchase and install an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate from a trusted certificate authority (CA). Some popular CAs include DigiCert, Comodo, and Let’s Encrypt.
  - Full-Site HTTPS: Ensure that HTTPS is enforced on all pages, not just the checkout or login pages. This prevents potential man-in-the-middle attacks across the site.
- User-Friendly Design Considerations
  - Visual Indicators: Display security indicators such as padlock icons and “https://” in the URL bar. This reassures customers that the site is secure.
  - Trust Badges: Display trust badges from reputable security providers (e.g., Norton, McAfee) prominently on the site, especially on checkout pages and in the footer.
  - Consistent Design: Maintain a consistent design and experience across HTTP to HTTPS transition to avoid confusing users. Implement seamless redirects from HTTP to HTTPS.
Showcase Customer Reviews and Testimonials
According to research, 89% of consumers globally check reviews before making purchases. Additionally, 55% of consumers prefer buying products with a large number of reviews and an average rating over those with fewer but excellent ratings.

We can believe how important customer reviews are to build trust. Always display authentic customer reviews and testimonials prominently on your product pages because social proof plays a crucial role in establishing customer trust. Encourage your satisfied customers to share their positive experiences through ratings and reviews.
Provide Clear Contact Information
Make it easy for customers to reach you by providing clear and accessible contact information. Include a phone number, email address, and physical address if applicable. Embody a live chat feature also to enhance trust by offering immediate assistance.
Showcase Products with high visuals
Visitors tend to rely on attractive visuals to make a purchase, visually appealing images help build trust and credibility. Include high-quality images, detailed specifications, and product videos if possible. The more information customers have, the more confident they will feel about their purchase.
Display Trust Badges and Certifications
Trust badges, such as SSL certificates, secure payment icons, and third-party endorsements, can enhance credibility. Display these badges prominently to assure customers of your site’s security and reliability.
Enhance Trust and Engagement with a Live Chat
Incorporating a live chat feature on your e-commerce site can significantly enhance trust and engagement by offering immediate assistance to your customers.

Instant Support: Provide a Live chat that provides customers with immediate responses to their queries, reducing the frustration of waiting for email replies or phone call queues. This instant support reassures customers that help is readily available, enhancing their trust in your service.
Ensure an accessible e-commerce site
If a visitor who visits your store has difficulty accessing a website, a trust factor can be handicapped.

Use clear navigation, alt text for images, and readable fonts to make your site user-friendly for everyone. Ensuring that your e-commerce site is accessible can improve user experience and foster trust among all visitors. Regularly test your site for accessibility issues and make necessary adjustments to maintain a positive and trustworthy online presence.
Implement Secure Payment Processing
Ensure trusted payment gateways that encrypt customer data to ensure secure transactions. Implement SSL certificates to protect sensitive information and enhance customer confidence in your website’s security. Additionally, comply with data protection regulations such as GDPR to safeguard customer privacy.
Maintain Transparency with Pricing
Avoid hidden fees and surprise charges. Display clear and transparent pricing, including shipping costs and taxes. Customers appreciate knowing the total cost upfront, which can prevent cart abandonment and build trust.
Leverage Data Analytics
Be transparent about how you collect, use, and protect customer data. A clear and accessible privacy policy demonstrates your commitment to protecting customers’ personal information, which is crucial for building trust in today’s privacy-conscious environment.

As we navigate through e-commerce research, Global e-commerce sales are expected to surpass $7 trillion in 2024. This rapid growth is fueled by the increasing trust and comfort consumers have with online shopping. Keeping these important figures in mind, establishing a trusted e-commerce presence is highly important. With our 10 effective ways discussed above, you can ensure a trustworthy and reliable e-commerce presence that encourages customers to shop with confidence.