Why your brand’s legitimacy matters more than ever in 2025
WRITTEN BY TIANA RASDIEN
Let's talk about something that matters a lot in 2025 - your business's online presence. In today's world, who makes a purchase without first stalking a company's social media?
Especially now, people are more sceptical than ever about where they spend their money. They want to know there's a real, trustworthy business behind the products or services, and what's the first thing they check? Your social media. Research by Huddle Creative confirms that 78% of consumers (and 88% of Gen Z) say a brand's social media presence directly impacts whether they trust them.
Your Instagram, LinkedIn, or TikTok account is essentially your business's first impression with potential customers. They're checking out your posts, seeing how you talk to other customers, and getting a feel for who you are as a brand.
Random, occasional posts aren't enough anymore and inactive social media makes businesses look unreliable.
Customers also don't just look at your posts anymore. They want to see what other real people are saying about you. A customer posting a photo with your product or leaving a review means way more than any professional photoshoot you could take.
Every like, comment, and share builds credibility for your business. New customers check these out to see if real people actually interact with your business. They notice how many people comment on your posts and whether you take the time to reply. This kind of engagement has become a huge part of building trust online.
You don't need to be a social media guru. Just be authentic, post regularly, and actually talk to your customers when they reach out. Share some behind-the-scenes stuff, show the faces behind your business, and keep your customers in the loop about what's happening.
Start small and build from there. Pick two platforms where your customers spend the most time. Post a few times a week, respond to comments, and share moments from your business. The results might not come overnight, but staying consistent will build genuine customer trust over time.
Another thing that really matters for your brand's legitimacy is recommendations from real people they know. That's why word-of-mouth is still extremely important, and your team play a huge role in this. When your team shares their positive experiences with your company on platforms like LinkedIn or Instagram, it shows there are real people behind your brand. Add in the power of personal branding, as your employees build their own professional presence while representing your company, it naturally makes your brand more trustworthy.
Here's what it comes down to in 2025 - people are always checking out your business online. There’s no getting around it. The good news? You don't need to be perfect, you just need to be visible and genuine. Stay active, engage with your customers, and be authentic. That's how you build the trust that turns viewers into customers.