1) Friends and family come first. When needed, most consumers use their friends and family for product and service information because they trust their opinions. This probably comes as no surprise.
2) Customer reviews. This trust is bigger than you might think. Customers interested in making a “correct” purchase, particularly for online shopping, use this kind of powerful information to help them make their decision. Simply put, reviews work when they are done properly. In some cases they rank higher than influencers or celebrity endorsements in terms of credibility and the closing of a sale.
3) Company websites. Many online shoppers trust business/service websites for their research and/or purchasing decisions. Many visit the website of the brand they are interested in first before they search for other competitors.
4) Print and online articles. Many customers place trust in the author’s reporting as a source of important brand information, which is only slightly ahead of those trusting in blogs.
5) Social media. Last, but not forgotten. Fewer everyday are trusting social media sources for brand information. However, it’s still an important form of communication. For brands looking to develop trust among the younger crowd make sure your response time is super nova. This will help build brand loyalty.
