How To Build Business Credibility From Day One

Saturday, 4 January 2025, 2:40 pm
Article: Hugh Grant

Building credibility for your new business takes work when you’re starting from zero. Establishing trust and a positive reputation are key to winning customers and growing your business, so it’s important to get the ball rolling from the very beginning.

To make the process easier, here’s 1st Formations, the UK’s most trusted company formation service, with a guide on how to build business credibility from day one.

Establish a professional image

Remember that first impressions matter. When a potential customer first interacts with you or your business, you want to convey a polished image right from the get-go. This doesn’t just mean wearing appropriate clothing and behaving professionally – it's your entire brand.

Your logo, colours, and overall visual identity should be well designed and suitable to your industry and target audience. Use consistent branding across all materials, from your website to your email signature, shopfront, merchandise and social media profiles. This helps to build brand recognition over time.

Your website is often the first point of contact for potential customers. So, make sure to invest in a modern, user-friendly design and include clear, easy-to-find contact information. Also, use a business email address instead of a personal one, such as Gmail or Yahoo, to signal legitimacy. All these factors together will help your business appear professional and established.

Register your business properly

Formalising your business structure shows you are serious about your venture. In the UK, this means registering your business as a limited company. A registered business not only appears more credible, but it also opens opportunities to access financial products, government support, and partnerships.

Display your registered company number on your website, invoices, and other key documents to show your customers you are legitimate. Similarly, using a registered business address on all official documents and invoices is significantly more professional than a residential home address. It is also wise to get a separate business bank account to keep your finances organised and professional.

1st Formations is an authorised Companies House eFiling agent, offering quick and simple online company formation for customers from the UK and overseas. Check out their website to get support registering your company within just 24 hours. They also provide address services, so all their customers can register with their iconic Covent Garden, London location. You can have all official business mail sent to this address and forwarded to you, wherever you are based.

Build an online presence

An active online presence helps show new customers and clients that your business is run by real people. Social media is a powerful tool to demonstrate this. Choose platforms where your target audience is most active – if you are B2B, go for LinkedIn, whereas if you are an eSeller, you may find a wider audience on Instagram or TikTok. Post regularly, engage with followers, and provide updates on your business, such as your opening hours and delivery times.

This is also valuable for employer branding if you plan to hire a wider team. Potential new recruits may check out your social pages to check what kind of an employer you are, so feel free to be transparent and show your human side to encourage connection with whoever sees your content.

Deliver excellent customer service

Providing reliable customer service is essential when building up your credibility. Customers remember how you make them feel, so always prioritise them and respond to queries as soon as possible.

If you go the extra mile by offering personalised recommendations or surprise perks, you will show genuine care and stand out from your competitors. Once you are confident your customers are happy with your business, encourage reviews on Google and Trustpilot, as these serve as social proof to build trust with new prospects. It is equally important to monitor these reviews by responding promptly to each one, both positive and negative, as this shows accountability and care and boosts your online reputation further.

When things mistakes happen, customers appreciate honesty. It is best to address problems head-on by apologising sincerely and resolving the problem as swiftly as possible. This demonstrates accountability, which can strengthen relationships with customers. Make sure your pricing, delivery times, and policies are clear to prevent misunderstandings and build confidence.

Plan for long-term credibility

Credibility is not built overnight. It requires consistent effort and a commitment to maintaining a professional image and earning customers’ trust. Committing to this from the beginning will give you the best possible start in creating a successful business.

Fortunately, 1st Formations is on your side, ready to support you with all the corporate essentials to build your credibility, including company registration, London business address services, corporate governance services and products, and ongoing support. Get in touch today and take the first step towards building your business credibility.

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