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Dimitri Wittwer

For 84% of consumers, the website determines trust

A strong website today is far more than just a digital business card. It is often the first point of contact between a company and potential customers – and decides within seconds about trust, likeability and credibility. Anyone who fails to convince with the design, functionality and behaviour of their website gives away opportunities to win customers, build brand loyalty and ultimately generate revenue.

84% of visitors judge companies based on their website.

The Stanford Web Credibility Project found that over 80% of respondents link a company's trustworthiness directly to the design of its website (Stanford Web Credibility, 2024). In concrete terms: if a website looks outdated, its trustworthiness suffers.

First impressions form in milliseconds

Studies by Carleton University show that people form a first opinion about a website in less than 50 milliseconds – based on both visual and functional impressions (Carleton University, Tuch et al. 2012; Lindgaard et al., 2006).

Poor usability costs trust and revenue

The Nielsen Norman Group (2022) emphasizes: "An outdated or cluttered web design is perceived as a sign of a lack of professionalism. (Nielsen Norman Group 2022; Elaboratum 2022

Design even influences willingness to pay

A study in the Journal of Internet Commerce (2021) examined how aesthetic elements – colours, hierarchy, layout, whitespace, font type, image arrangement, use of motion – influence users' trust and willingness to pay. The current Design Trends 2025 show which design principles are relevant today.