How it works

More than a directory.A trusted network for Cornwall.

Cornwall Trusted connects independent businesses, local people and visitors through one joined up digital network. Businesses pay to participate because we are building something substantially more useful than a free listings directory: stronger digital presence, trusted discovery, referrals, collaboration and practical business support.

Join Cornwall Trusted — £39 See pricing

150+ businesses have already viewed, discussed or explored the Cornwall Trusted opportunity.

Founding 1,000

150 / 1,000

Cornwall businesses already registered

Normal annual business membership £99. Founding 1,000 businesses pay £39 for the first year, around £3.25 a month equivalent. Save £60, over 60 percent off.

Why we exist

Built for Cornwall's independent economy

Cornwall is powered by independent businesses, microbusinesses, trades, makers, hospitality, tourism, motoring specialists, professional services and local entrepreneurs.

But many operate independently of one another.

Their websites, Google profiles, social media, referrals and business support often sit in completely separate places. Cornwall Trusted brings those pieces together.

Customers can discover credible local businesses
Businesses can refer customers to one another
Digital weaknesses can be identified and improved
Local businesses can cross promote
Support and funding opportunities can be signposted
More expenditure can remain within Cornwall
Businesses become less dependent on a short seasonal economy

Social enterprise model

Business supporting business

A commercial model with a social purpose.

Cornwall Trusted is being developed around a social enterprise model.

Businesses pay to participate because the platform has real costs: technology, onboarding, profile creation, digital assessment, marketing, people, content, administration and ongoing development.

The aim is not to build a free directory supported by endless advertising. The aim is to create a financially sustainable Cornwall business ecosystem capable of covering its costs, with surpluses intended to be reinvested into:

Supporting independent businesses
Improving digital capability
Helping businesses become easier to discover
Connecting businesses to relevant support and funding
Creating local referral pathways
Supporting start ups and microbusinesses
Developing shared campaigns
Building sector hubs
Strengthening year round trade
Supporting local procurement and the circular economy

The stronger Cornwall's independent businesses become, the stronger Cornwall Trusted becomes, and the stronger the local economy becomes.

Cornwall Trusted is being developed as a social enterprise. A community interest company structure is being explored and is not yet incorporated, so nothing here should be read as a claim of registered CIC status.

The model

How it works in five stages

Register

Founding 1,000: £39 first year

Join Cornwall Trusted with an annual business membership.

Unlike a free scraped directory, participation starts with a paid annual business membership. Normally £99 a year, and £39 for the first year for the Founding 1,000.

Build your profile

Profile built with you

Cornwall Trusted creates or structures the business profile.

The business becomes searchable within the relevant Cornwall Trusted ecosystem.

Business information
Services
Contact routes
Location
Imagery
Links
Sectors
Specialist categories

Establish trust

Evidence based

Businesses choosing the enhanced package can have their wider digital presence assessed.

The purpose is to identify how complete and credible the business appears online. Payment never automatically creates a better Digital Trust position. Trust assessment and paid prominence stay clearly separated.

Google Business Profile
Website
Social media
Search visibility
Brand consistency
Customer journey
Reviews
Digital completeness
Competitor positioning

Connect

Business supporting business

Businesses become part of a wider local referral network.

A hotel recommends an auto locksmith. A garage recommends a detailer. A wedding venue recommends a photographer. A holiday cottage recommends an attraction. A restaurant recommends a local maker. A tradesperson recommends another trusted specialist.

Grow

Year round trade

Benefit from discovery, referrals, marketing, collaboration and wider business support opportunities.

Greater visibility
Campaigns
Collaboration
Digital improvement
Business support
Funding signposting
Skills
Referrals
Sponsorship
Sector opportunities
Town campaigns
Shared buying and local procurement

Trust explained

Trust is earned, not bought

Cornwall Trusted is the name of the network. It does not imply that a business has received a formal legal accreditation, inspection or guarantee.

Every business joining starts with a digital review of the information we can verify and assess. The purpose of the trust framework is to look at the quality and completeness of a business's digital presence and the evidence available around it.

Google Business Profile
Website presence
Contact information
Consistency of business details
Social media
Reviews and reputation signals
Imagery
Accessibility of information
Service descriptions
Location and trading information
Professional or sector credentials where supplied
Evidence supporting specialist claims

Where weaknesses are identified, Cornwall Trusted can show the business what could be improved. Trust can also be lost. If a business materially changes, information becomes inaccurate, evidence disappears, serious unresolved issues emerge, or the digital presence no longer meets the relevant criteria, its trust position can be reviewed.

You cannot buy trust.

Businesses can pay for profiles, advertising, sponsorship and additional visibility, but paid prominence remains completely separate from the Digital Trust assessment.

Three separate statuses

Cornwall Trusted Business

For businesses participating in the network.

Digital Trust Reviewed

For businesses that have completed the initial digital assessment.

Digital Trust Score

The scored, evidenced trust position, only where the assessment supports it.

Cornwall Trusted membership does not constitute a guarantee of goods or services. Digital Trust status reflects the evidence and digital information available at the time of review.

How the Digital Trust Presence Score works

Brand kit

Proud to be a Cornwall Trusted business

Once a business has joined and completed the relevant onboarding and review process, it can receive a Cornwall Trusted brand kit to use across its own digital and physical marketing, helping customers recognise that it is part of the Cornwall Trusted network.

Cornwall Trusted Business badge
Website badge
Social media graphic
Profile graphic
Email signature graphic
Window sticker artwork
Print ready badge
QR code linking to your Cornwall Trusted profile
Digital Trust Reviewed asset where that review has been completed
Guidance on how the Cornwall Trusted mark can be used

Your profile becomes part of your own marketing

Link back to your Cornwall Trusted profile from your website, Google Business Profile, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, email signatures, newsletters, booking confirmations and printed materials. Business website to Cornwall Trusted profile, to other Cornwall businesses, to customer referrals, and back to the participating business.

Local people. Local businesses. A stronger Cornwall.

Join Cornwall Trusted for £39 for your first year, normally £99 a year. Save £60, over 60 percent off.