Why Your Online Presence is the Real Currency of Trust

Recently, a friend of mine shared a funny but eye-opening story with me. She had just moved into a new apartment and needed to repaint the place. Of course, she wanted a good cleaner who is reliable, skilled, and available quickly.

Now here’s what happened. Instead of asking around or waiting for a referral, the first thing she did was what most of us would do: she went online. She used Google and Instagram search option on her phone and typed, “Cleaner in Ibadan.”

In a flash, Google showed her several options. The cleaner who appeared at the top had updated profiles which highlight clear business names, phone numbers, reviews from happy clients, and even photos of their past painting jobs. Without wasting time, she clicked on one, gave him a call, and within two days, her apartment was freshly painted which solves her problem. But here’s the part she laughed about while telling me the story. Later on, someone in her neighborhood told her about a cleaner who lived just down the street. He had been operating his cleaning business for years, his prices were affordable, and his work was excellent. Yet, when she searched online, his name never appeared.

At that moment, she made a statement that I can’t get out of my mind: “If Google doesn’t know you, how will I know you?” And that’s the painful reality. That cleaner wasn’t bad at his job. He wasn’t lacking talent or experience. In fact, he was probably even praying daily for new clients to discover him. But here’s the truth, it is not about praying alone, it is about doing the work and putting in the work. Your competitors are also praying. The difference is, while you’re praying and waiting, they are praying and doing the work — showing up where customers are searching.

Customers Don’t Wait, they Search. Today’s customers don’t wait to bump into your flyer or hear your name from a friend. Their first instinct is to search online. If your business doesn’t show up in that search, it doesn’t matter how talented you are, you’re invisible.

That cleaner lost a customer who was literally down the road, not because he lacked skill, but because he lacked presence. Meanwhile, another cleaner who took time to create a digital footprint for his business got the job, got paid, and possibly even got a new loyal client who might refer others.

I know we are familiar with the saying that faith without work is dead. There’s nothing wrong with praying for customers. But prayer must meet action. A strong digital presence is that action. It’s the effort that ensures when someone types “painter near me” or “cleaning expert in Lagos” or “fashion designer in Abuja,” your business actually shows up.

Because the truth is simple: if you don’t exist online, you don’t exist to the people searching for you.
My friend’s story is a reminder to every business owner: your digital presence is no longer optional. It’s not a luxury, it’s survival. Customers are searching right now for exactly what you offer. The only question is will they find you, or will they find your competitors?

Pray for growth, but also do the work. Because when faith and effort meet, your business won’t just survive — it will thrive.

Don’t wait for opportunities to pass you by like the cleaner in this story. At Provydr, we help businesses like yours build a strong digital presence, get found on Google through search engine optimization, stand out on social media and convert clicks into loyal customers. Send us a message today and let’s position your brand in front of the people already looking for you.