Building Trust on Your Website: A Guide for Marine Marketing

In the digital age, where skepticism is rampant, building trust on your website is crucial, especially in the marine industry. Might not be how you do business but many customers have been let down by their marine counterparts.  So most people are skeptical and they understand that a shonky website might not mean that it’s a real business.

Follow Merrill Charette on Linkedin, for more content check out www.mida.pro, and if you need any support reach out to me at info@mida.pro

The Power of First Impressions

Your website is often the first point of contact with potential clients. Have some “power images” that show you up on stage… people will know that you’re the guy that obviously knows my stuff. This could also be images of your team in action, showcasing expertise in marine environments.

Leveraging Awards and Accolades

Displaying awards and recognitions prominently can significantly boost trust. Try to add a power image immediately… it immediately starts to build a bit of trust. Showcasing industry-specific awards or certifications can be a game-changer.

The Role of Video Content

Video content can create a sense of personal connection. Video helps build up that trust because… you see me communicating in a manner in which I communicate. In your context, videos demonstrating marine expertise or showcasing customer testimonials can be highly effective.

Showcasing Social Proof

Social proof, like customer reviews and testimonials, is vital. You can see reviews… all of these types of things I’m portraying. For marine businesses, sharing customer experiences, especially from well-known clients, can enhance credibility.

Transparency and Accessibility

Having clear and accessible ‘About Us’ and ‘Contact Us’ pages is essential. This transparency is crucial in an industry like marine, where trust and reliability are paramount. I feel like I shouldn’t have to highlight this, but sadly that’s the case, the marine industry is almost entirely word of mouth and it’s not what you know but who you know, one must be able to highlight themselves as the expert.

Real Images vs. Stock Photos

Using real images instead of stock photos can make a significant difference. In the marine industry, authentic images of your vessels, equipment, and operations can speak volumes. I’ve seen some stock images on boating websites and social posts where it looks like the stock photo company wasn’t able to get a photo of a boat so they made one out of plywood and used that…. Credibility down the drain.

The Importance of Consistency

Consistency across your website and social media platforms is key. All of these types of things convey trust. Ensure that your brand message and values are consistently represented across all platforms. One could argue that consistency is the most difficult, requiring you to continue onward though there aren’t immediate results. Take podcasting for instance, the average podcast only gets 26 downloads in an entire month, yes and entire month, that is why most people give up early on, though if they consistently continued it for 2 years they would start to build some headway and following.

Engaging with Your Audience

Engagement is not just about showcasing your services but also about connecting with your audience. If you want to start building more trust in your website, you need to incorporate what I’ve shown you today. Engage with your audience through interactive features, Q&A sessions, or live demonstrations of your marine expertise.

Building trust on your website is a multifaceted approach, especially in the marine industry. It’s about creating a first impression that resonates, showcasing your expertise and achievements, being transparent and accessible, and engaging with your audience in a meaningful way. If you want to advertise online, you want to build trust on your website, you need to be willing to be able to do this.

By implementing these strategies, you can create a website that not only reflects your expertise in the marine industry but also builds a strong, trustworthy relationship with your clients.

Merrill Charette

Brought to you by 

SHIPSHAPE.PRO – Innovative platform that bridges the gap in marine repair

& 

MIDA.PRO – Marine Industry Digital Agency – Web dev / Marketing

Podcast – SHIPSHAPE INTERNATIONAL OCEAN INSIGHT