Google recently provided guidance on how businesses can build trust with their customers in a document published on the Google Merchant Center.

The recommendations focus on four main areas:

1. Creation of business legitimacy
2. be transparent
3. online reputation management,
4. Have a professional design aesthetic.

This article summarizes Google’s suggestions into an actionable checklist that business owners can use to improve their credibility on the Google platform.

Understand what customers value

Before delving into the checklist, it’s important to understand what customers value when building trust with a company.

business identity

The image that customers have of your brand is your corporate identity.

It’s critical that this identity remains consistent wherever your brand appears. This means using the same company name, logo, colors and other branding elements across all platforms.

Customers like to work with companies that have a clear and consistent identity. Here are some ways to achieve this:

1. Official company name: Use the same official company name everywhere.
2. About Us page.: Create an “About Us” page on your website and share your company’s backstory and origins.
3. Social Media Presence: Promote your social media profiles through links on your website.

transparency

Being open with customers can help gain their trust.

That means you need to explain how your company handles customer information and operates behind the scenes.

Areas where transparency is key include disclosing your data practices, shipping procedures, and return policies.

Here are some ways your business can be more open and transparent with its customers:

1. Detailed guidelines: Explain your policy on shipping items, returning items by customers, and protecting customer privacy.
2. business operations: Be transparent about your business model. Be open about your operational methods, such as B. Your supply chain, your manufacturing process or your fulfillment systems.

online reputation

The way your business is perceived online can affect customer trust.

You can manage your online reputation by closely monitoring reviews, testimonials, and other public references to your business.

Some tips to improve your online reputation are:

1. customer reviews: Highlight positive reviews and recommendations from current customers.
2. badges and seals: Display badges or certifications from reputable third parties.
3. Interaction with the customer: Providing details on how customers can get assistance if needed
4. blogs and articles: Share blog posts and articles that educate customers.

Professional design

The look and feel of your website can affect how much customers trust your business.

A website with a sleek, professional design and easy navigation can help buyers feel more comfortable about buying from you.

Google has some suggestions on how to create a website that inspires trust:

1. SSL certificate: Obtain an SSL certificate to encrypt data and show customers their information is safe.
2. Website Navigation: Make sure your website navigation is straightforward, user-friendly and free from broken links or unnecessary redirects.
3. Avoid wildcards: Fill the text and image areas of your website with actual content instead of placeholders.

Help Google get to know your business better

The more Google knows about your business, the better it can present it to potential customers.

Consider the following steps to improve Google’s exposure of your business:

1. business information: Provide full details about your business in Merchant Center, including name, contact information, and product categories.
2. Third Party Platforms: Connect your Merchant Center account to any other platforms you sell on, like Shopify or Amazon.
3. Google Business Profile: Create a Google Business Profile for your business and verify ownership.
4. SEO Guidelines: Follow SEO best practices to make your website easy to find and navigate.
5. Seller Rating Eligibility: Sign up for Google Customer Reviews or other third-party rating services to improve your eligibility for seller ratings.

In total

Following the guidelines outlined in Google’s Merchant Center documentation can help business owners build positive customer relationships.

Building trust is a gradual process, so businesses must invest time and effort in building a strong bond with consumers.

A good reputation is hard-won but easily lost. Therefore, companies should focus on constructively interacting with their target audience in the Merchant Center.

Featured Image: Floor Image/Shutterstock