How Alaskan Homeowners Can Find a Trustworthy Business

By: Nakedia Washington, Vice President of Operations, Better Business Bureau

Hiring the wrong contractor is not only frustrating, but it’s also expensive, time-consuming and nearly impossible to undo. However, even when the stakes are that high, homeowners are often left with limited information to answer the most important question: Can I trust this business?

Homeowners often try to answer that question before they ever visit a store or pick up the phone. Online reviews, ratings, websites and word-of-mouth all shape our first impression and definition of trust. According to a BrightLocal survey, 98% of shoppers read online reviews before choosing a local business. That feedback is a big part of building a strong online reputation and influencing who gets called and who gets passed over.

Trust doesn’t happen by accident. It takes effort, transparency and often, third-party validation from organizations like Better Business Bureau, which has been helping businesses build trust with their customers for more than a century.

Why trust matters

Trust is what separates a serious business from the rest. When we, as homeowners, find a business that we feel confident working with, we buy with confidence. In fact, Deloitte found that one in five consumers spends upwards of 50% more with brands they trust.

Businesses with strong, trustworthy reputations stand out in crowded markets because they remove uncertainty. For Alaskan homeowners, that trust reduces risk and turns casual browsers into loyal customers.

"We love being able to say that we are a BBB Accredited Business. We have to build a lot of trust with our customers. They're spending a lot of time and resources investing in their home, and we want to make sure they can trust us to follow through on every commitment we make."

—Renewal by Andersen of Alaska

How BBB helps customers find trustworthy businesses

Knowing which businesses operate honestly isn’t always easy. That’s why BBB exists. To help consumers find reputable businesses ahead of making a purchase or a hiring decision.

BBB publishes business profiles that offer a clear snapshot of how a business operates. But when customers see the business has a BBB Accredited Business Seal, they know it means that this business is committed to operating with integrity. 

Anyone using the BBB Directory can choose to search for a specific service category and narrow their results using filters like “Accredited Business,” “Serving my Area,” “BBB Rating,” and more.

How does the BBB rating system work?

We can all grasp the basics. An A+ business is probably doing a lot of things right. An F-rated business is a huge red flag. But here’s what factors into every rating:

• Complaints: Are there any, and if so, how are they resolved?

• Transparency: Does the business clearly communicate pricing, policies and expectations?

• Responsiveness: How does the business respond to reviews?

• Verifiable public information: Ratings are based on information provided by the business and reliable public data sources.

BBB ratings vs. BBB Accreditation

When trust is at stake, it helps to have the full picture. A BBB rating is an evaluation that applies to every type of business and reflects how they’ve performed over time.

BBB Accreditation is different. It’s earned. When customers see a business’s BBB Seal, it gives them peace of mind. It tells them that BBB has vetted them and that the business is committed to upholding BBB’s Standards for Trust. 

Trust drives decisions

Back to that important question: “Can I trust this business?”

In Alaska, homeowners can find a trustworthy business by visiting the BBB Directory at BBB.org.

And if you’re running a business, BBB Accreditation gives your operation a path to grow with integrity. It builds customer confidence and provides tools that support strong online reputations, risk management and growth. Learn more by scanning the QR code.