BBB Book of Trust: How accreditation can boost your business

BBB® Book of Trust

How becoming accredited can boost your business

Are you ready to commit to marketplace ethics?

In today’s competitive market, BBB Accreditation gives consumers confidence that they’re dealing with an ethical and vetted business. With the BBB Book of Trust, you’ll understand the benefits of BBB Accreditation and the value of showing your customers that your company operates honestly and with integrity.

In this book you’ll find valuable resources covering programs and services we provide to Accredited Businesses. You’ll learn about:

The BBB Business Profile

Promoting your BBB Accreditation

to

Businesses

more!

BBB Accredited Businesses represent honesty in the marketplace. In 2020, more than 140 million consumers visited BBB.org, and 70% of them say BBB Business Profiles helped them decide who to buy from or hire for their next project.

We’re committed to helping our Accredited Businesses take full advantage of the benefits that come with BBB Accreditation. Together, we can build a more trustworthy and prosperous marketplace. If you have any questions about accreditation, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Why BBB Accreditation?

Trust matters.

Look at the impact the BBB brand has on consumers in North America. Displaying the BBB logo adds these numbers to your company’s image. It’s a quick and easy way to convey your commitment to ethics and trust.

Brand Impact

82%

of people are familiar with BBB*

of consumers familiar with the BBB Accreditation seal are more likely to perceive the company as a good business*

of consumers who are familiar with the BBB letter grade are more likely to purchase from a business with an A rating or higher*

One-third of consumers who visited BBB.org came to look for a specific Business Profile.

said the information at BBB.org helped them decide whether or not to engage with the business.

of those individuals believe the information helped them save money by avoiding a potential bad business or negative experience.*

of consumers who are familiar with the BBB seal are more likely to trust that the business is honest and ethical* *Source: IABBB 2021 Consumer Survey * Web-intercept survey with 4,822 random visitors to BBB Business Profiles at BBB.org from December 16, 2020 to Jan 4, 2021

BBB Standards for Trust

The BBB Standards for Trust are eight principles that summarize important elements of creating and maintaining trust in business. Our BBB Accreditation Standards are built upon these criteria.

Build Trust

Establish and maintain a positive track record in the marketplace.

Advertise Honestly

Adhere to established standards of advertising and selling.

Tell the Truth

Honestly represent products and services, including clear and adequate disclosures of all material terms.

Be Transparent

Openly identify the nature, location, and ownership of the business, and clearly disclose all policies, guarantees and procedures that bear on a customer’s decision to buy.

Honor Promises

Abide by all written agreements and verbal representations.

Be Responsive

Address marketplace disputes quickly, professionally, and in good faith.

Safeguard Privacy

Protect any data collected against mishandling and fraud, collect personal information only as needed, and respect the preferences of consumers regarding the use of their information.

Embody Integrity

Approach all business dealings, marketplace transactions and commitments with integrity.

Commitment to the BBB Standards for Trust means you support an ethical marketplace. Sharing accreditation with customers and potential customers conveys this message in a way that is hard to replicate without the 100 years of effort that have gone into building the BBB brand.

What our Accredited Businesses have to say...

I wanted my clients to feel protected, so when they choose our company, they have that protection, to assure them that they can trust us. Some clients have mentioned that they found us on the Better Business Bureau website. They say just because we were there, they gave us a call.

Just the simple fact of being Accredited.

Super

Accredited

President

Sacramento

Being accredited with the Better Business Bureau has helped us gain the customers’ trust. I have received calls from people who found us on the website (BBB. org) and went with us (Superhero Painting) because they trust the BBB and so they trust us.

Nemesio Jimenez

Super Hero’s Painting And Decoration

When I think of the BBB I think of trust and credibility

[The BBB] is one of the major factors that somebody uses before hiring a company or doing business with a company. It’s one of those necessary things that a business owner needs to do to show credibility and reliability which is a partial factor in whether someone hires my company or not.

Before there was Yelp or Google reviews there was always the BBB... it’s the first place people go to when looking for ‘reliability’ and ‘trust’ before doing business with a company.

Sacramento

Matt Lopez

Internet Marketing Agency

Matt Lopez

Nemesio Jimenez

Internet Marketing Agency

Owner

Hero’s Painting and Decoration

Customers

Customers

I first

I

Get quick referrals Get a Quote Tool

Consumers can request a quote directly from your BBB Business Profile. You can add the Get a Quote button to your website to make it easy for customers to find your profile.

Once a request is received, it’s forwarded directly to your email or phone. This is a great way to get referrals quickly.

The Get a Quote button drives traffic to your BBB profile.

expertise

crowd Submit a Guest Blog for BBB.org

Writing a Guest Blog is an exciting opportunity to be featured on the homepage of the BBB of Northeast California website. It’s also an excellent opportunity to gain recognition and market yourself on the web and on social media.

Guidelines

• All entries should be between 400-700 words.

• Blogs cannot act as a sales pitch for your business.

• Articles must focus on a specific topic, give tips to consumers or businesses, or focus on a scam related to your industry.

• Guest Blogs are scheduled on a first-come first-serve basis and are published no more than once a week.

Exclusive videos for our Accredited Businesses

Video Programs

Profile Videos

Accredited Businesses eligible immediately after accreditation.

Profile videos are a simple short-form clip featuring your business alongside the Accredited Business Seal.

Pro-Tip Videos*

Accredited Businesses eligible after three months accreditation.

BBB Pro-Tip videos are a way to gain exposure for your business online while educating viewers. Someone from your business will go on camera and give consumers or businesses tips about your industry or area of expertise.

Testimonial Videos*

Accredited Businesses eligible after six months accreditation.

Testimonial videos are a way to showcase your business, employees, and your dedication to trust and transparency in the marketplace.

*Subject to availability

Using your custom videos to your advantage.

Here are some great ways you could utilize and promote these videos.

Your Website

Once your video is complete, BBB will send you an embed code. Paste that code into your web builder, or send it to your web developer.

Facebook

Video links will be provided via email. Simply paste a link into a Facebook post so all of your followers can see it. Tag us and we’ll share it.

YouTube

If you have a channel of your own, we can give you the video file to upload.

Business Feature

Request to be featured on our social media platforms. Posting your video can be an option!

What else?

Submit a Guest Blog! A blog is essentially a written version of a Pro-Tip Video.

Quarterly Events

Accredited Businesses are welcome to attend our quarterly events.

Headshot Events

Accredited Businesses can get free photos of their employees the 4th Tuesday of every quarter.

Video Events

Accredited Businesses will have the opportunity to shoot videos at BBB on the 7th Tuesday of every quarter.

BBB Business Tip

How businesses can use video to attract customers

Video is vital for local businesses. Today, it’s easier than ever for you to produce video content. Video marketing is engaging and captures your audience’s attention, so it’s essential to figure out how best to incorporate video into your marketing strategy. Here are some quick tips:

Think about your own experiences. Visually show customers what you’re selling, helping them see what they’re missing out on if they don’t make a purchase.

Your video doesn’t have to be planned, polished, and perfect. In fact, a rugged video might make you feel more authentic to your audience.

If customers post videos with your products on social media, reshare their content. Repurposing video content gives you free marketing material and helps your customers feel appreciated.

Film your brand story, local guides, customer stories, product launches, or tutorial videos.

54% of consumers reported that they want to see video content from the businesses they support.

Source: Hubspot

The global pandemic overwhelmingly impacted the amount of time people spent watching videos online.

Minutes watched increased 85% in 2020.

People watched 12.2 billion minutes of video in 2020; that’s 23,211 years’ worth of content!

Source: HubSpot, Not Another State of Marketing Report

Boost your online exposure Get Featured with BBB

With over 11,000 followers, this exclusive program for Accredited Businesses gives you an opportunity to boost your online exposure.

BBB Business Tip

How social media can help local businesses generate revenue

Nearly everyone uses social media. To turn your social media presence into a profit, you need to connect with your desired clients, curate a compelling profile, and learn how to use the unique features of social media to your benefit. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Target your desired audience based on general demographics, geographical location, and hobbies or interests.

Offering discounts or giveaways for your business’s products or services across your social media feeds is a great way to connect with your customers.

Collaborate with other local businesses or influencers. Co-marketing is a growing trend, as 74% of companies have made brand partnerships a priority, according to Hubspot.

By creating high-quality content, some brands get up to a 350% return on investment (ROI) for low-budget ads.

Source: Creatopy

Immediate social media highlight

Welcome Wednesdays

We create a dedicated social media post every month highlighting all businesses accredited within the previous month. These posts get significant engagement rates.

This post offers immediate online exposure for all new Accredited Businesses.

Connect with us!

Social media directly influences purchases

85% 43% 38%

of customers use social channels for discovery and consideration or purchase.

of customers were influenced by a company’s social post when shopping, and 30% report they were influenced by paid social ads.

of customers use online reviews to research brands, products, or services they’re interested in buying.

Which social media platform has resulted in the biggest ROI this year?

Spaces

Coworking Space

Conference Rooms

• Spaces are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Accredited Businesses get 8 hours per month free for Conference Room Rentals.

Desks & Office Spaces

• Spaces are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Must sign up for minimum of 3 months.

• There will be an initial set up fee of $50 per person.

• Can be utilized on a monthly basis.

• 24-Hour memberships are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Benefits and services offered by our partners

BBB Partnerships

Jumpstart

This partnership is with The California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Mexican Consulate (Sacramento office), and the Health Education Council.

• Entrepreneurship classes offered in Spanish and English.

• Classes range from financial management and literacy, marketing, public speaking, and other business fundamentals.

• Helped over 1,500 businesses within the last 3 years.

• It’s free!

Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

• Our local chapter is Capital Region SBDC (covers all our territory)

• All their services are free

• One-on-One Advising

• Their assistance can range from financial assistance, to marketing, expansion, etc.

• Funding Assistance (home of the PPP and Eidl Loans)

• Trainings and Workshops

Sac State Carlsen Center

• The Carlsen Center is open to the public outside of CSUS students.

• Offers online and in-person training and entrepreneurial classes.

• Offers free consultations with professors and some of Sacramento’s best known business owners.

• Most of their courses are free, but as an Accredited Business, discounts are available.

Other Partners

Celia Surridge Marketing & Comms Manager

Lynn Conner CEO

Dan Stiner Director of Standards & Marketplace Ethics

Jeff McKee Business Development Manager

BBB® provides customers with the knowledge about the companies they are going to possibly do business with, which makes people feel safe and sure in their decision.