How to Build Trusts on Websites
When building a B2C web app—especially one in the health and wellness space—trust isn’t optional. It’s foundational. People are trusting you with personal goals, eating habits, and health data—things that feel intimate and sometimes vulnerable.
For MyFoodData, a nutrition-based meal planning app, building trust became a clear design pillar when we started rethinking the landing page. This is the moment where users decide whether your product is worth their time—so it has to feel intuitive, safe, and helpful right away.
Here’s how we approached trust-building through UX writing, interface design, content strategy, and interaction design.
UX Writing: Lead with Clarity, Not Complexity
Nutrition apps can be dense. They often default to showing every metric, chart, and nutrient label available, which can overwhelm new users. When we redesigned MyFoodData’s landing page, we made it a priority to surface just enough information for people to feel in control—not confused.
What changed
Shifted focus to user goals. In the old design, we listed features like “calculate totals” or “compare foods,” but didn’t say why that mattered. In the new version, we reframed the language to tie features to real-life outcomes:
“Find high-protein meals for your goals”
“Plan balanced meals in minutes”
“Easily compare two foods side by side”
This helped users quickly see what they could achieve rather than just what the app did.
Improved descriptive copy. The previous version had sparse copy, sometimes just a button that said “Find the best choice.” We rewrote those with clear, supportive microcopy that described what users were about to do or gain. Even a few extra words can dramatically change how confident users feel.
Why it matters
Trust starts when users feel like they understand what’s happening. Clear, goal-oriented language reduces hesitation and builds confidence. Instead of overwhelming them with jargon or assumptions, we gave them direction and assurance.
Design as a Signal of Care
We often underestimate how much people judge a product by its visuals. The truth is, users form opinions in seconds—based on typography, layout, colors, and tone. To build credibility, we invested early in design that felt intentional.
What we did
Polished UI previews on the homepage. We included real screenshots of the meal planner interface with annotations, so users could see what to expect. Rather than promising features with icons or mockups, we showed the real product in action.
Consistent and calm visual language. We used high-contrast, legible type and a soft, health-focused palette—nothing too flashy or loud.
Designed for accessibility. Buttons had large tap areas, forms were clearly labeled, and we ensured contrast ratios met standards.
Friendly, coaching tone. We were deliberate in avoiding the “calorie police” vibe. The voice of the product was that of a supportive nutrition coach—encouraging, never judgmental.
Why it matters
Design is often the first trust signal users encounter. A clean, consistent UI tells people: “We care enough to do this right.” That’s especially important for a product handling sensitive areas like food and health.
Be Transparent About Data Use
Nutrition tracking means users are sharing data about their eating patterns, goals, and sometimes even health conditions. We knew we had to be upfront and honest about how we handle that information.
What we added
A section linking to our data quality policy. This gave users insight into where our nutrition information comes from and how we maintain accuracy.
Inline explanations during onboarding. When we asked for things like dietary preferences or allergens, we added quick notes explaining how this data helps personalize their experience—and that it’s never shared externally.
Why it matters
People are cautious with their health data—and rightfully so. Transparency creates a sense of control and safety. When users understand why you’re asking for something (and what you’re doing with it), they’re more likely to trust you.
Make Support Feel Human
A surprising but powerful way to build trust? Let users know there are actual people behind the product.
How we approached it
Feedback buttons throughout the app. We placed simple message forms on key pages where users might have a question or suggestion. Instead of funneling them into a cold support queue, this invited lightweight, casual feedback.
A dedicated About page. We shared our team’s story, our mission, and the “why” behind MyFoodData. It included real names and context—what inspired us to build the app, and the values we bring to product decisions.
Why it matters:
In a space crowded with faceless tools and AI-generated everything, adding a personal touch makes a difference. Users want to feel like there’s someone on the other end who understands their experience.
Earn Trust Before Asking for Commitment
One of the biggest mistakes product teams make is asking users to sign up before showing any value. We flipped that.
Our approach
Free, fully usable tools. From the start, users could access nutrition ranking tools, a recipe nutrition calculator, and a food comparison tool—without logging in.
Account creation only when needed. We only prompt users to sign up when they want to save a meal or store their nutrition history. Even then, we explain why and what benefits they’ll get.
Why it matters
Letting people “try before they commit” shows confidence in your product. It also demonstrates respect for their time—you’re not creating friction unless there’s something worth sticking around for.
Final Thoughts
For MyFoodData, trust-building wasn’t a checklist—it was a mindset. It guided how we rewrote our landing page, how we shaped onboarding, and how we designed interactions across the app.
In a space as personal as nutrition, people need to feel that your product respects their goals, time, and data. Whether you’re building a meal planner, journaling tool, or wellness tracker, the same principle applies:
Trust isn’t built through one big feature. It’s earned through a hundred tiny moments that make someone feel understood.