SmallBusinessNewz

While not always deservingly so, larger companies tend to capture more trust and credibility than the unproven small business.

It can be difficult to compete with the big boys, but there are steps you can take to make your business seem bigger than it really is.

Branding

The best way to appear as large as possible to your customers is to form a well-known brand. Make sure you have a solid logo and get it out there where people will begin to recognize it. Use social media marketing, search engine optimization, and every other form of promotion you can think of to get your brand seen. You want your image to be burned into your customer's mind. When that happens, chances are they won't perceive you as a small company.

Design

Make sure your web site is designed in a professional-looking manner. Large companies (while I'm sure there are exceptions) do not tend to have poorly designed sloppy looking sites. A good design can build credibility and overshadow the appearance of being a small business.

Keep it Professional

MSNBC notes that keeping in touch with customers through direct mail, maintaining a professional sounding voicemail, and creating a professional looking signature file for your email correspondence are good ways to make your business seem bigger.

The New York Times has a fascinating case study on an entrepreneur who achieved success in real estate through making her business look bigger than it was.

The bottom line is that if you present your business in a professional manner, you will not give your customers reason to second-guess your credibility and size will likely not be taken into consideration when it is time to do business.