Starting a new business can be daunting, and being a small business owner requires constant attention, particularly in the earliest stages. Regardless of whether your business is brick-and-mortar, online, or both, it’s important to be aware of customers’ needs while avoiding customer turn-offs. Payline provides the products, services, and attention to your business needs to accept credit cards and attract customers online without friction.
Oftentimes, there are certain red flags for a company’s website that can deter a customer from further exploration, even if they’ve maybe read good reviews or were referred by a friend. Norton by Symantec offers some perspective on how to avoid mistakes that may slow your business success.
Too Many Ads
When a customer comes across your website through their search for your products and services, the last thing they will want to see are dozens of pop-up ads and video advertisements as soon as they click your link. Pop-ups for other products and websites can suggest an ulterior motive to your site that was not intended by your business and may cause the customer to believe that the purpose of your business is potentially a scam. This may make a customer hesitant to allow you to accept credit cards.
Receiving Unsolicited Emails After Visiting Your Site
Occasionally on the first visit to a business website, a notice will appear prompting the customer to enter an email to view the full content, or to receive discounts or promotions. More often than not, the first visit to a website is to get a first impression, not to fully commit to the products or services you offer. An onslaught of promotional emails after the initial visit may prevent the customer from visiting your website again in the future.
Lack of Contact Information
At the very least, all websites should have a method of contact available to customers that is more personal than a form to fill out on a support page. When dealing with a business for the first time, customers will prefer a business address, email address, or phone number that will feel more reliable to them than an online form. Not providing at least one of these methods of communication could make a potential new customer uneasy about spending more time exploring your business.
No Visible Privacy Statement
A customer wants to be certain that you will have their back if they give you their time and money. No one wants their personal or financial information exploited for promotional purposes or potential credit card fraud, so transparency about your policies are the key to gaining and keeping customers.
Trying a new product or service is like meeting someone for the first time. Customers are evaluating who you are, what your values are, and how you will affect their lives. This also applies in business, and the last thing anyone wants is to find out later that you were not as transparent as you should have been initially, especially if you’re looking to accept credit cards and attract customers online.
Without that foundation, your business won’t get to accept credit cards and attract customers online anytime soon. Customers want to know that they can trust your brand and, beyond that, trust you as a business owner. Keep these ideas in mind as a starting point in building your credibility.
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This piece was written by Lauren Minning, Content Specialist for Payline.
