Accreditations. Every industry has these in some way, shape or form, from tradie certifications to a Google accreditation for marketing and food handling certificates for restaurants and cafes. In fact, they’re kind of like the street cred of the business world.
But while some of you in the Yellow Pages community the accreditation meaning for their business is significant, 63% say accreditations don’t bring you more business.
This brings us to the million dollar question: are accreditations worth it? We take a look at the value of accreditations below.
Do accreditations actually matter to customers?
It depends. For some industries, like the medical or tradie industry, you’re required to have specific accreditations before you’re legally allowed to operate. These demonstrate that you’re qualified to run a business in your field—in short, they’re non-negotiable.
And even if accreditations aren’t essential in your industry, they’re still good to have. Voluntary accreditations like a Google Cloud Platform certification or TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice won’t bring in millions, but they can provide you with a competitive edge.
For example, getting Green Tick Certified could mean environmentally-conscious customers pick your business over others. Other selection- or ratings-based accreditations, like the Chef Hat Awards or Google Marketing certification, show that you’re one of the top picks within your industry.
How to make your accreditations go further.
Getting an accreditation is only half the battle. Once you receive one, you need to spread the word to make them work harder for your business.
If you’ve got an accreditation under your belt, here are a few ways to share the news:
- Website badges. Pop a badge on your About Us page or on the footer of your website so customers know you’re accredited.
- Framed certificates. If you’re a bricks-and-mortar business, frame and display accreditation certifications in the entrance of your building so customers know you’re accredited.
- Listings on industry body websites. Some industry groups list accredited companies on their site. These are a great way to drum up extra traffic and boost SEO, so make sure you’re visible on these pages,
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