If no one trusts you online, does your company even exist?
Think about this: You're searching for a digital marketing expert to help you grow your company. You come across two profiles.
Person A: No website, no LinkedIn profile, no testimonials—only a vague claim that they're the best.
Person A: A profile well-optimized, a tips-filled blog, positive reviews from past customers, and an active LinkedIn presence.
Who would you trust? The answer is obvious.
Trust is paramount in this day and age. Whether you're a freelancer, business owner, or job seeker, your online reputation is often the first impression others get of you. If you don't create credibility, you can miss out on opportunities before they even have a chance to begin.
So how do you build a believable online reputation that pulls opportunities towards you instead of pushing them away? Let's take a look.
- Be Authentic – People Relate to True Stories No one buys into a faceless, extremely sanitized brand. People yearn to connect with real individuals who share their tales—the successes and the failures.
👉What to do:
Tell your story—how you started, the challenges you faced, and how you bridged them.
Be truthful about your abilities. If you're still learning, own it!
Maintain a uniform tone in your content that reflects your personality.
Example: Instead of saying, "I'm a web developer," tell a story instead:
"Five years ago, I built my first website for a friend's business. It tanked. But that failure led me to become a master web developer. Now, I help businesses build high-converting websites that drive revenue."
Authenticity breeds trust. Don't only highlight the top bits—share the experience.
- Social Proof is Your BFF – Let Others Say Yes for You People trust other people more than they trust you. Social proof in the form of reviews, testimonials, and recommendations can make or break your credibility.
👉 What to do:
Gather testimonials from customers, employers, or colleagues.
Share social proof on your website, LinkedIn, and social media.
Highlight case studies or before-and-after results of your work.
Tip: Instead of saying, "I grow businesses," show evidence:
"Sarah's online store was struggling with weak traffic. We increased her organic traffic 200% in three months by enhancing her site's SEO. Here's what she had to say…"
Let others speak on your behalf—more persuasive than self-promotion.
- Provide Value First Before Asking The quickest trust-builder? Give without expecting anything in return.
👉 Do this:
Offer industry insights, tips, and guides.
Answer questions in groups, forums, and social media.
Blog, video, or offer free webinars.
Tip: If you're a designer, create a free mini-guide on "5 Common UI Mistakes That Kill Conversions." People will pay attention to your expertise and trust you more.
Give first. Trust will follow.
- Engage, Don't Just Broadcast Most think that going online is just publishing content. No way. Engagement creates relationships, and relationships build trust.
👉 What to do:
Respond to comments and messages.
Participate in conversations within your topic.
Collaborate with others—guest blog, be interviewed, or appear on Twitter Spaces.
Example: Instead of publishing merely, "10 SEO Tips," ask:
"What's your biggest SEO challenge today? Let's talk in the comments!"
The more you engage, the more human and trustworthy you are.
- Consistency is the Key – Be There Regularly Would you trust a news feed posted every six months? Doubt it. Same with your online presence.
👉 What to do:
Establish a routine—weekly, bi-weekly, or daily.
Be there on at least one or two channels where your people are.
Be consistent in branding and messaging across all channels.
Example: If you’re active on LinkedIn, commit to posting once a week rather than disappearing for months.
Trust is built over time, not overnight.
Final Thoughts – Trust is Earned, Not Given
Building a trustworthy online presence is not about perfection—it’s about consistency, authenticity, and value.
Recap:
✅ Be authentic—share your real story.
✅ Use social proof—let others validate your credibility.
✅ Provide value—give before asking.
✅ Engage—build relationships, not just content.
✅ Be consistent—show up on a regular basis.
Start today. Build trust online, and opportunities will follow.
What is one thing that you do in order to gain trust online? Share your comments below!
Top comments (2)
This is really helpful and practical
Am glad it's helpful, thanks for reading!