“We don’t want our competitors knowing who we work with, so don’t list our customers.”
I’ve heard this pushback for years. Manufacturers don’t want to add a customer list to their websites for various reasons:
❌ They think the competition will steal them.
❌ An NDA won’t allow it.
❌ They don’t want the competition knowing what they’re doing.
The NDA is a valid reason, and one I understand and respect.
As for the competition stealing a manufacturer’s customers, as I always say, your competition is pitching them whether or not they know they’re your customers.
The reason I recommend adding a customer list to a website is because it builds trust and credibility with prospects. It also conforms to Google’s recommendations regarding ensuring your website demonstrates E-E-A-T: Expertise, Experience, Authority, and Trust.
People see the company names and automatically think, “Oh, they must be good if they’ve worked with those companies.”
My advice: Consider adding a partial customer list. You don’t have to add ALL of your customers. Sprinkle in a few A-listers, and a few government or defense ones if you have them.
Second piece of advice: Use logos versus copy/text. People instantly recognize logos. Plus, they’re easier for the brain to register versus having to read a longish list of names.
If you’ve been thinking about completely redoing your manufacturing website, but find the whole idea daunting, call 603-382-8093 and let’s talk.
