What Makes a Website Trustworthy? 7 Design Elements You Need

May 30, 2025

In the digital age, people are more cautious about sharing their information online than ever. With the rise of cyber threats, scam sites, and misleading information, it's more critical than ever to create a trustworthy website, not just for good UX, but because it's essential for your business.

A recent Stanford study found that 75% of users base their judgment of a business's credibility on the business's website design. So, if you ask yourself why your bounce rates are high or your conversions are low, it might be worth looking at how well your site conveys trust.

This blog discusses the 7 essential design elements that make a website trustworthy and what you can do to incorporate them to improve credibility, increase conversions, and boost your online reputation.

1. Capture a clean and professional design

First impressions matter—a lot. If your site is cluttered, outdated, has competing visual stacks, or is just difficult to navigate, visitors are likely to click away within seconds. A modern, clean design signals professionalism and reassures visitors that your business is legitimate.

Key elements of professional design:

Consistent branding and color schemes
Use of whitespace and layout
Use of whitespace and layout
High-quality visuals

A clean layout also improves user experience (UX), which contributes to better engagement and higher conversion rates.

2. A Clear Navigation System

A confusing website is a red flag for users. If the user cannot find what they are looking for in just a few clicks, they will lose trust and leave.

Here is what trustworthy navigation looks like:

A visible, properly structured menu
A logical hierarchy (Home > Services > Contact)
Sticky navigation bar (to make it easier for users to browse)
Search bar (for quicker access)

Bonus Tip: Use breadcrumb trails for e-commerce sites or multi-page content sites. This allows the user to understand where they are located within the structure of the website.

A clear site structure is great for SEO too. Search engines reward well-organized websites with better rankings, increasing both organic traffic and credibility. Are you looking for an SEO-friendly website structure? Talk to one of our experts at iMarketo.

3. Visible Contact Information

Would you trust a brand that hides its contact information?

A trustworthy website will always contain visible and transparent contact information. This indicates that you are a real business that takes accountability and communication seriously.

Contact features to have:

Clickable phone numbers and clickable email addresses
A contact form with a quick response time
Physical address + link to Google Maps
Live chat or chatbot support (even better!)

You can also have a dedicated "Contact Us" page, which can be selected from the main navigation.

4. Trust Seals, Certifications, and Testimonials

Social proof and third-party validation are powerful tools for fostering trust. When a new visitor lands on your website, they need to be assured that others have used your product or service and had a positive experience.

Here are several trust elements to consider adding:

SSL certificates (HTTPS)
Payment security badges (e.g., Verified by Visa, PayPal)
Certifications (e.g., ISO, BBB accreditation)
Client logos and case studies
Customer reviews and testimonials

Pro Tip: Include real images of customers with testimonials to help personalize your brand. Video testimonials are even better.

5. About Page That Tells Your Story

Consumers want to know who they’re doing business with. An authentic "About us" page builds a personal connection with your visitors while increasing transparency.

You should include:

Your company's mission and values
Biographies and images of the Founder and/or Leadership team
A brief company history
Awards or recognitions
Media mentions or press releases

It's not enough to simply list these facts, it's about sharing your story that builds an emotional connection.

And don’t forget to link your LinkedIn profiles or social handles to build legitimacy through external platforms.

6. Reliable and Skilled Content

Content is also one of the most underappreciated trust signals on a site. A blog filled with un-updated, irrelevant content gives the impression that your brand is stagnant or out of date. On the flip side, educational, well-written content positions you as a knowledgeable and reliable resource.

Be sure that your content:

Is fresh and refreshed consistently
Solves a problem or adds value
Uses credible references and data
Aligns with your brand voice
Follows SEO best practices

Think of your blog as a way to share information and build your authority. Check out iMarketo's blog for examples of great content marketing.

7. Fast Load Speed and Mobile Optimized

There is not much that kills trust quicker than a slow or glitchy site. If your individual pages load for more than 3 seconds, you will lose 53% of users, and a percentage of them will not return. In addition, with over 60% of internet traffic coming from a mobile device, your site needs to be mobile-optimized.

Be sure to have a good user experience:

Use optimized images and compressed files
Use caching and limit JavaScript
Select a reliable host
Implement a responsive design that adapts to all screen sizes

Regularly check your site speed with tools like Google PageSpeed Insights and GTmetrix.

Why Website Trust Is More Important Than Ever

Establishing trustworthiness in your website design is more than just a design trend; it is a key component of your digital marketing strategy. A trustworthy website that supports long-term relationship-building, increases conversion rates, and improves search engine visibility will always be the best option.

If you are a startup or an industry giant, putting trust-building components into your business to differentiate yourself from the competition will make you a go-to destination for your audience.

At iMarketo, we help businesses build websites that not only check all of the boxes visually but that convert, retain, and scale. Whether you need UX/UI design or SEO, we are a one-stop shop for anything onsite.

Final Thoughts

Trust isn’t something users consciously think about when they visit a website, but they’ll feel it.

Every color, layout, image, and line of copy you have is communicating a signal to your audience. Make sure it is communicating: "You can trust us!".

To recap, here are the 7 design elements you need to build a trustworthy website:

Professional and clean design
Navigation and structure
Contact information
Trust seals and testimonials
An authentic About page
High-quality content
Fast, mobile-responsive experience

Ready to redesign your website for maximum impact and trust? Contact iMarketo today and let’s build something that your audience will believe in.