Consumers want to do business with companies that make them feel important. They gravitate towards small businesses because value them and make them feel safe.

To get a leg up on your competition, you have to show your customers that you care about the safety of their information online.

Studies show that consumers are nervous about their private information being stolen. (Hence all the distrust in big tech and corporate!)

Even so, consumers have to share their data to make purchases and try to buy from businesses they trust. How do you foster trust with your clients to give you the edge over your competition?

To begin with, you need IT security to keep your client’s private info safeguarded.

It's one thing to say you care about their privacy and another to defend it.

Think beyond local, state, and federal compliance to foster a deep sense of security for your customers. They need to know you prioritize protecting their information beyond the bare minimum.

Another way to win your client’s trust is to be upfront with how you intend to use the data you collect on them.

Didn't your mama tell you honesty is the best policy?

Customers are more loyal to businesses that aren't self-serving with their customers' data. They need assurance that you aren’t monetizing their info.

Your customers will feel more comfortable doing business with you if you are clear on what you are doing with their personal information.

Lastly, in the unfortunate event that you do get breached, make sure you inform them of what happened and explain what privacy safeguards were in place.

You might break trust initially, but you have a high chance of retaining and even growing their loyalty if you're proactive!

If you outline the steps you're taking to ensure a security breach doesn’t happen again, you'll notice a more positive response than brushing it under the rug.

With more online transactions these days, it’s hard to know who to trust. Customer service is more than a great product or service! To be competitive, your customers need to know you are reliable and trustworthy.

Having a rock-solid security plan in place could be the key to beating out the competition.

Need help creating a security plan that will give your business a competitive advantage? Contact Don Oxman for a free consultation!