If it’s gone wrong before. Or if you feel it’s too big a decision. Or if you’re not even sure you want to do anything. Will it work? Will it give you an ROI?

Having run TLD in the UK for over 20 years, we have had thousands of conversations with prospects.

We get that trust is not easy to come by. But I have the confidence and experience to prove were right – if the project is one of our ideal types!

It’s a big decision to choose who to work with next. You’re giving us the keys to your website, the ability to shape how you’re going to be seen by the world.

It’s not a matter to be considered lightly.

And maybe the reason we’ve been able to hear the words “we’ve chosen you” from so many is because we give them time and space to decide. While still showing them along the way how communicative, responsive, and knowledgeable we are.

Here are some of the ways our clients have been able to build trust with us, and vice versa, during the decision-making process:

Transparency – how much are we telling you

Naturally, you want to work with an agency that is open and honest about their process, their pricing, and their capabilities. So, to help build trust, we are more than happy if you ask us to walk you through our process. We volunteer it! We’ll answer any questions you have. An agency worth your trust will be happy to provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision.

Checking references

We have many! You can talk to our past clients and ask about their experience working with us. Were they happy with the results? Did we deliver on our promises? Did we communicate effectively? Getting feedback from past clients can give you valuable insight into our trustworthiness. You can read our reviews and ratings online, and we’re open about who we’ve worked with and shown these on our portfolio!

Revealing expectations

Often, people come to us with more of a vague idea of what they want. They need help to clarify it. We ask specific questions in order to understand:

What would be a good outcome for you? Who do you want to impress? Who do you want to attract? What would make you feel relieved like it’s finally done? What would make you feel proud? And even: ho in your list of competitors would you like to be “better than”?

We check this before beginning the project, as this way we know we’re working towards the same objectives. And we also know if there are things expected that are beyond our own experience and skill set. We know what we’re good at, and we are realistic enough to realise it’s not everything in the whole wide world,

Does this sound like a lot?

I have myself been totally put off by long-winded sales pitches so my approach is more consultative. People will always learn something useful – we have so much experience, insight and wisdom, it’s inevitable! I always learn from the people we’re talking to about potentially working together. So, I am generous in this exploration time.

I have to say, occasionally there are people who despite all the due dilligence, never make that final decision. There’s still a chance, but as time passes, the likelihood is less. It’s down to many reasons.

I personally am a decisive person. But this is why I have been “burned” more times than I should have when buying services from businesses that don’t match my level of service and skill! It makes me feel frustrated and foolish. But I pick myself up and continue to serve our clients in the way I want our suppliers to serve us!

That’s all part of being in business!

As far as I see it, by a certain point, when you’ve reviewed all of this information and asked all the questions, if you’re feeling we’re the best choice, it’s time to say “let’s go” (meaning, let’s do this!) and then, the magic begins!

Conclusion: trust and time

Let’s talk about trust and time!

Trust is a precious commodity in the business world. It’s a two-way street that requires effort from both parties. Rushing into a decision before you have trust can lead to costly mistakes. We’ve all been there, buying services from other businesses without doing our due diligence, only to regret it later.

Time is a valuable resource, and it’s worth spending it on the things that matter. It starts with getting to know each other and investing time and effort upfront before making a commitment. It’s a small investment that can pay off big in the end.