Web + Wins #10 Boost Your Credibility With Logos and Badges
This Week's Update
Mid-June already! Between client work, marketing events, coffee chats, and the general chaos of wearing every hat as a solopreneur, I don't know where the time goes.
Last week, I ran a workshop with the SBDC and SC APEX covering the fundamentals of a solid web presence: what builds trust with potential customers, how AI is changing search, and what most small business websites are missing. (We’re running it back next week on June 24th, register here if you’re in town and interested!)
At the workshop, I kicked things off by asking everyone to rate their own website on a scale of 1–10. There were some zeros (no site yet), a lot of 1s and 2s, and one bold 10. I love the confidence. But I'll be honest: I don't believe in a perfect website. Design trends evolve, search is changing, and your business grows. What worked a few years ago can be costing you customers today. I told him there'd be at least one takeaway he could bring back to his "perfect" site, and sure enough, there was! It's this week's Web Win down below.
Oh — and a quick milestone worth celebrating: I had double opt-in turned on for my email list, which meant several people who signed up never confirmed and never made it in. Since I knew them personally, I was able to fix that, and this week we just hit 100 subscribers! 🎉 If this is your first newsletter even though you signed up a while ago — hi! Welcome. We're all learning here. 😊
Get a Web Win: Boost Your Credibility With Logos and Badges
You have just a few seconds to earn a visitor's trust when they land on your website. Words can say a lot, but logos say it faster.
A well-placed row of recognizable logos near the top of your page does something your copy can't: it shows social proof before the visitor has even read a sentence. That's the power of logo badges.
Why it works
When someone lands on your site and immediately sees logos of businesses you've worked with, organizations you belong to, or awards you've earned, their brain registers: other people have trusted this person. That split-second signal builds credibility before you've said a word. It's the same reason big companies plaster "As Seen In" logos across their homepages – it works.
What to include and where
Clients you've served — These are your most powerful trust signal. A recognizable logo from a business you've worked with is proof. Put these near the top of your homepage, right after your hero section.
Partnerships and affiliations — Tools, platforms, or organizations you're officially connected to (think Google Partner, Squarespace, etc.). These work well mid-page or in a dedicated "We Work With" section.
Associations and memberships — Chamber of commerce, industry groups, networking organizations. These are great in your footer where visitors naturally look for legitimacy markers.
Awards and recognition — If you've won something, show it. Footer or an "About" section works well here.
How to implement
Make a quick list of every client, partner, association, and award worth featuring
Collect their logos — most organizations have a press or brand kit available. Get permission to feature them on your site
Make sure each logo has a transparent background so it sits cleanly on your page (PNG format)
Keep them consistent in size and style — a cluttered row of mismatched logos does more harm than good
Add them to your homepage above the fold or just below your opening section
This is a solid method for building trust with potential customers.
Convo Corner: Derrick Boatwright
This week's coffee chat took me to one of the coolest spaces I've been in lately. Derrick Boatwright, owns Heritage Brands, and they provide strategic marketing and CMO services. His office is inside a beautiful historic building in downtown Columbia, and he just finished renovating an incredible podcast studio space. Top-notch equipment, great aesthetic, and a backdrop that actually looks good on video.
They offer everything from DIY studio rentals (come in, record, leave) to full podcast planning and production. If you've been thinking about starting a podcast, or you already run one, Derrick's your guy. Reach out to him here.
Let's Talk
It's summer in SC, which means everyone's rotating weekends at the beach — but the networking scene is still very much alive. Two events I'm checking out this week:
Not in Columbia? Check Eventbrite or Meetup for something local. Getting in a room with the right people IRL still beats any algorithm. You never know who you'll meet. ☀️
Dana
Founder @ Snaply Sites
