Every day, thousands of Filipinos shop online, searching for convenience and the best deals. But for many, buying something isn’t as simple as clicking “Add to Cart.” Before checking out, they need to feel confident that the online store they’re using is safe and reliable. If anything seems off—like hidden fees, a missing return policy, or an untrustworthy payment gateway—they’ll likely abandon their carts.
Indeed, at Maya, we know that trust is everything in e-commerce. Customers will only buy your product if they believe in your business. So, how can you make sure your website builds trust and increases sales? Focusing on delivering these nine signs of website credibility will help.
1. Transparent Pricing
Nobody likes unpleasant surprises at checkout. So, be upfront about your pricing. Make sure you show the total cost, including taxes and shipping, before customers reach the payment page. If possible, break down the charges so buyers know exactly what they’re paying for. Ultimately, the more transparent you are, the more likely customers will complete their purchase.
2. A Secure Payment Gateway
Security is a top concern for online shoppers. If your payment system doesn’t seem reliable, they won’t risk entering their card details. For this reason, you need to use an all-in-one payment gateway in the Philippines like Maya Checkout. For one thing, it’s trusted by big and small companies alike. Plus, you can easily integrate it with e-commerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce. Additionally, it supports credit and debit cards, e-wallets, and QR Ph. All of these mean your customers can easily and securely make cashless payments wherever they are. No fuss, no hassle.
Beyond that, displaying security badges, SSL certificates, or encryption details on your website can further strengthen trust. These simple additions help customers feel safer when entering their personal and financial information.
3. A Clear Return and Refund Policy
Even with high-quality products, some customers will need to make returns. A hassle-free return policy makes them feel safer about buying. So, make sure your website answers key questions: Can customers return items? How long do they have? Who covers shipping costs? If the process is clear and fair, customers are more likely to make a purchase without hesitation.
4. Guarantees
A strong guarantee tells customers, “We stand by our product.” Whether it’s a money-back guarantee, warranty, or satisfaction promise, it reduces risk from the purchase. So, highlight guarantees on product pages where they’re easy to spot. Sometimes, a simple “30-day money-back guarantee” is all it takes to convince someone to buy. When shoppers know they can get their money back if something goes wrong, they’re more likely to trust your business.
5. Awards and Recognitions
Think about restaurants; you would trust one if it had a “Best Restaurant” award, right? The same logic applies to online businesses. Awards, certifications, and recognitions from industry groups or local organizations make your brand more credible. So, proudly display them on your website. These achievements show that others vouch for your business, making new customers more comfortable buying from you.
6. Contact Details
Imagine visiting a website and struggling to find a way to contact customer support. You’d probably hesitate to buy from that store. Conversely, a site that prominently displays a phone number, email, and even a physical store address instantly seems reliable.
Having live chat support is even better. It reassures customers that help is just a message away. Plus, if you integrate your chat system with Maya Business’ Online Solutions, you can receive payments within chat platforms. Imagine answering a customer’s question and closing the sale in the same conversation. That’s a game-changer for building trust and boosting sales.
7. Social Media Links
Many shoppers check social media before making a purchase. If they see recent posts, customer interactions, and quick responses, they’ll trust you more. So, strengthen credibility by adding links on your website that lead to your Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or other social media pages. Also, make sure you regularly post updates, promotions, and customer testimonials on these platforms to keep your audience engaged and reassure them that your business is active and trustworthy.
8. Customer Reviews and Testimonials
Which is more convincing? A website saying, “Our product is the best!” or a real customer saying, “I love this product!”? Obviously, the second one because it serves as social proof of your product’s reliability. People trust other buyers more than advertisements. That’s why showcasing authentic customer reviews and testimonials on your website is so important. Make sure they’re legitimate reviews, though. Avoid fake or overly polished reviews because they can do more harm than good.
9. Media Mentions
Has your business been featured in a newspaper, magazine, or online publication? If so, don’t be shy; let people know! A simple “As Seen On” section with media logos can make your business appear more established. Even a mention in a local news article can boost credibility. On the other hand, consider reaching out to journalists in your industry if you haven’t been featured yet.
Build Credibility, Gain More Customers
Website credibility isn’t just about good design; it’s about proving to customers that your business is real, reliable, and safe. Transparent pricing, a secure payment gateway, visible policies, and genuine customer interactions all work together to create a trustworthy shopping experience. Moreover, the more confidence you build for your brand, the more customers will buy and keep coming back.
Sign up for Maya Business to build a credible business and website that customers trust. Setting up a Maya Business account lets you open a Maya Business Deposit account and use it as your settlement account. With an industry-leading 2.5% per annum interest rate, you’ll earn PHP 25,000 in interest per year on a PHP 1 million deposit. Furthermore, you’ll be able to send money to your partners and suppliers for free via InstaPay and PESONet, letting you save more.
Signing up also qualifies you for a no-collateral Maya Flexi Loan offer of up to PHP 2 million in just 3 months, allowing you to have another funding source to further develop your business. Just use Maya as your primary processor for all wallet and card payments. The more you use our solutions, the better the loan offer will be.
Sign up for Maya Business today to enjoy the benefits of Maya Business solutions.
