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ShowAllReviews
December 29, 2025 · 1 min read

What Makes a Customer Trust a Website?

From SSL certificates to social proof, here’s what science and UX research say about online credibility.

Author
ShowAllReviews Team
Annotated homepage screenshot labeling key trust signals such as HTTPS lock, testimonials, and verified badges

Introduction

A 2024 Baymard Institute study found that 17% of users abandon checkout due to lack of trust.
Trust isn’t abstract — it’s a combination of technical signals, design clarity, and social proof.

Homepage mockup annotated with trust signals: HTTPS, badges, testimonials, and secure payment icons

1. Technical Trust: Security and Speed

SSL certificates, clean code, and fast loading create subconscious confidence.
Users instantly judge professionalism from technical performance.


2. Visual Trust: Design and Consistency

According to Stanford Web Credibility Project, 75% of users judge a website’s credibility based on its design.
Consistent typography and minimal clutter convey stability.


3. Social Proof: Reviews and Real People

Showing authentic customer reviews increases conversions by 34% on average (Spiegel Research Center, 2023).
Widgets like ShowAllReviews integrate these proofs directly into your design without hurting SEO.


Design vs. Trust

Comparison between a clean professional homepage and a cluttered untrustworthy one

Credibility is design plus honesty — your visitors feel it in seconds.

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