Black Friday sales may bring customers to your door, but the real question is: how do you keep them coming back? Growing your business isn't just about offering the best deals – it's about building customer trust that lasts long after the sale is over.
Customers are more informed, sceptical, and vocal than ever. And, with so many options at their fingertips, they no longer base decisions solely on price or convenience.
Trust has become the deciding factor. In fact, a staggering 93% of customers say that online reviews impact their purchasing decisions. Why? Because social proof is king. People want to know that others have had positive experiences with a brand before committing their time or money. Businesses build trust when people see other customers vouching for them – and when they can be part of that conversation.
Social proof – whether it's a 5-star rating, a glowing review, or even constructive criticism – is one of the most powerful tools to build customer trust. According to research, 85% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. Having your business reviewed and rated on a platform like Hellopeter can make or break a customer's decision to engage with you.
Why? People trust other people more than they trust advertising. Seeing real feedback from others, especially on a trusted platform like Hellopeter, gives potential customers the confidence to trust your business.
You can't build customer trust without transparency. Customers expect brands to be upfront and honest about their products and services. That's why businesses that are transparent about their positive and negative reviews foster stronger customer relationships.
Hellopeter is uniquely positioned to help businesses showcase their commitment to transparency. When you ask for customer feedback and respond to that feedback publicly, you're showing current and potential customers that you value their opinions. This simple act of listening and engaging can strengthen trust in ways that traditional marketing can't.
Hellopeter offers more than just a space for reviews – it's a trusted platform where customers know their voices matter. Unlike on social media, where comments can get lost or buried, reviews on Hellopeter are prominently displayed, allowing both businesses and customers to engage meaningfully.
What makes Hellopeter stand out is the transparency it promotes. Consumers can see how businesses respond to feedback, reassuring them that they're being heard and that their experiences matter. This level of interaction helps to humanise your brand – and people are far more likely to trust a business that actively listens and responds to its customers.
Here's where it gets interesting: asking customers for feedback doesn't just help you, but it also makes customers feel appreciated. When they share positive feedback, it reinforces their good experience, making them feel good about their decision. It's human nature to want to share experiences, and when that's met with appreciation from the business, it creates a feel-good cycle.
On the other hand, if feedback is negative, this is a valuable opportunity for you to show empathy and a willingness to improve. Acknowledging mistakes and showing your commitment to fixing them can convert an unhappy customer into a loyal one. Around 70% of customers who've had a complaint resolved said they would do business with the company again.
Responding to reviews isn't just about fixing problems but showing that you're listening and willing to improve. And that is the foundation of long-term customer trust.
Once the rush of Black Friday is over, the real work begins. Sustaining customer trust requires consistent effort. Using a platform like Hellopeter to ask for feedback and engage with your customers beyond the sale can turn one-time shoppers into loyal advocates.
By being transparent, responding to both praise and criticism and showing customers that their voices matter, you give them every reason to return. And when they see how you handle feedback it gives them confidence to trust you in the future.
Remember, building customer trust and loyalty is a marathon, not a sprint. Sign up for a Hellopeter Business account and start showing your customers that their opinions matter.