Now you understand the absolute importance of maintaining credibility online, but how do you build it in the first place? We've compiled a list of ten must-have elements to establish your site - and your company - as a trusted source:

1. Clear and consistent contact information: Make sure your physical address and phone number appear prominently throughout your website. You want people to know that they can easily contact you about their purchase. Plus, this shows that your website stands for a legitimate organization.
2. Pictures of you and your merchandise: Pictures of you and your staff add a human element to your website: Your customers get a sense of personal interaction. Picture of your merchandise allow users to see your products in a more natural way.
3. Updated content: Provide relevant and free information on your website that you update consistently. The fresher and more accurate your information, the more trusted your site will be. In other words, get a great content management system so you can regularly update your site.
4. Warranties Aden guarantees: Take away as much perceived risk as possible from your potential buyers. Guarantees and warranties work hard to show your customers that you stand behind your product.
5. Confirmation numbers: Follow up all online orders and purchases with confirmation emails to reassure your customers that the order was placed.
6. Testimonials: What others say about you is much more convincing than what you say about yourself. Make sure the testimonials are sincere and convey a direct benefit to the consumer. Testimonials from recognized experts are the best and most trusted types of third-party endorsement.
7. Simplicity and Usability: your site absolutely must perform the way it's supposed to in order for people to trust you. If your shopping cars have major glitches or important information is impossible to find, your customers will think your site is illegitimate and abandon the purchase process.
8. Compliance: Maintaining compliance with section 508 will make your site accessible to a wide and diverse audience while building your online credibility.
9. Client list: Post a list of your clients so potential clients can see who else you've done business with. Get permission before using your clients' names and logos.
10. Security: MOst importantly, get an SSL (Secure Socket Layer) certificate to encrypt the data that is transmitted from the server to the customer and vice versa. It's is important to let your customers know your site and their information is secured.

Remember that ultimately, consumers determine the boundaries for credibility. Listen to your customer feedback and apply it to the credibility of your e-commerce site.