On this page
- 01Key takeaways
- 02Does years in business build credibility?
- 03How should you show it?
- 04What if your company is newer than your experience?
- 05When does longevity not help?
- 06What does this look like in practice?
- 07Years in business checklist
- 08Next step
- 09Sources and further reading
- 10Frequently asked questions
Key takeaways
Showing how long you have been in business builds credibility, because longevity suggests reliability and satisfied customers. Show the year you started, not 'X years' that goes out of date, and make sure it matches public records or explain why not. New businesses can show the team's combined experience instead, honestly framed.
- Longevity signals reliability; buyers assume failures do not last.
- Show a year ('Since 2009'), not a count that dates.
- Match Companies House, or explain the difference.
- New firms can show the team's experience, honestly.
Want your history presented credibly? Message us on WhatsApp.
Chat on WhatsApp →Does years in business build credibility?
Yes. Buyers reasonably assume a business that has lasted many years has satisfied enough customers to survive. It is a simple, quickly understood proof point. It works best alongside other proof, such as reviews and case studies, because longevity alone does not show you are good now.
How should you show it?
Present it so it stays accurate and is easy to check.
- Use the founding year: 'Family-run since 1998'.
- Avoid counts like '25 years' that go out of date.
- Put it near the logo, in the about page and in the footer.
- Add a short timeline for long histories.
What if your company is newer than your experience?
Many businesses have restructured, incorporated or rebranded. Buyers who check Companies House may see a recent date. Explain it plainly: 'Trading since 2006, incorporated as a limited company in 2018'. For new firms, show the team's background specifically, such as '15 years in commercial electrical work before founding the business'.
- How customers check a business is legitimate
- New business website: credibility before you have reviews
Want your history and experience framed accurately? Message us on WhatsApp and we will discuss your requirements.
Chat on WhatsApp →When does longevity not help?
Longevity helps less if the website looks as old as the business. 'Since 1985' next to a dated design can suggest a business that has not kept up. Pair history with current proof: recent reviews, recent projects and an up-to-date site.
What does this look like in practice?
A pattern we see: a firm's homepage says '20 years of experience', written in 2016. It is now inaccurate and the firm undersells itself. Changing it to 'Since 1996' fixes the count permanently and is more striking.
Years in business checklist
- Show your founding year, not a count.
- Check it matches public records.
- Explain any restructure or rebrand.
- Pair history with recent proof.
- For new firms, show the team's experience.
Next step
Search your site for 'years'. Replace any count with the founding year.
Message us on WhatsApp for a credibility review, or book a 30-minute consultation.
Chat on WhatsApp →Sources and further reading
- Find and update company information · Companies House
- The elements of computer credibility · ACM (Fogg and Tseng, 1999)
- Stanford guidelines for web credibility · Stanford Web Credibility Project
Frequently asked questions
Should I put 'established' on my website?
Yes, if your business has a track record. Use the founding year, such as 'Established 2009', so it never goes out of date, and make sure it matches public records or explain any difference.
What if my business is new?
Show the experience of the people behind it, specifically and honestly, such as years in the trade or previous roles. Combine it with early reviews and clear guarantees. Do not imply a company history you do not have.
Do customers check how long a company has existed?
Careful buyers often do, through Companies House, which shows the incorporation date. If your website claims a longer history, explain the difference, such as trading as a sole trader before incorporating.
Written by
Global Bridge Labs (GBL) is a UK–Sri Lanka partner for social media, websites and BPO. Everything here comes from client delivery, not theory.
