Each business with an account status has access to the content management system.
There are five subscription options for the business account holder.
They are the Basic, Plus, Standard, Advanced and Professional options.
Each option gives the account more possibilities and marketing options. Each account holder can manage multiple businesses under a single account.
Safe and Trusted Canada uses a content management system for business account holders. There are 13 tabs available to the business account holder, and the tabs available depend on the business’s subscription level.
The fourth tab, Credentials, is available to all subscription types. This video explains how a business owner can add content to this tab. See the video.
Credentials are the account holder’s trusted factors for every business. Contractor credentials apply only if the business is a contractor. The only responsibility of the account holder is to list credentials accurately. Do not list credentials that you do not have. Doing so may place your business with an Alert if the business owner cannot substantiate the credentials listed. We have introduced tooltips to make it easier for everyone to understand what the credential means so that there are no misunderstandings.
Consumers are looking for a business’s credentials. They don’t want to deal with a contractor who isn’t registered, doesn’t have liability insurance, or doesn’t have workers’ compensation. Contractors want to show credentials as they know some contractor types are prone to problems and hurt the whole industry. If you do not list credentials, you can’t have an account.
Required Licensing for a trade area is currently in place means that the business meets city or town licensing.
The legal requirements for our trade area and category mean the business meets provincial requirements.
The business’s advertised name is legally registered, which means that the company has conducted a name search, legally registered the name federally or provincially and has an entity number issued. Remember, do not indicate your business is legally registered if you are uncertain.
Some businesses that are part of a chain or other franchise may not be able to be legally registered as the parent company objects to the process. Some businesses have legal permission to use a particular name but cannot get permission to register that name legally.
Some provinces have standards concerning registering your business but considering all the businesses not legally registered; enforcement appears not to exist. Some cities appear to give city licensing to a business where the business can have any name they want on the city license. Some businesses think they are registered because they went through a lawyer, but the name on the registration is different than the name they use for their business name.
Years in business mean precisely that. It is not a combination of years of experience of the staff.
Contractor credentials should be easy to understand. One area refers to supplier references. When a contractor doesn’t pay the supplier, in some cases, the supplier has placed a lien on the property, even if the property owner has paid the contractor. This credential means that the contractor provides the name of the suppliers so that the consumer can check those references.
As a business owner, place all the credentials that apply to your business and do not tick off any that you do not have. If you have extra credentials later, you can always add them.
Placing credentials in your profile that you do not have violates our Site Policy. If discovered and confirmed, it may result in an alert on the business for one year. The business loses its subscription, and there will be no refunds.
Consumers can search the business’s credentials and determine their business selection based on credentials even before they call. Consumers can use credentials in selecting a business through the request equote.
Every business profile advises consumers that Safe and Trusted Canada does not accredit, validate or endorse any business and that they should check the business’s credentials before using it.
It is advisable for contractors to have a binder that includes everything about their business and why consumers should select them. Proof of credentials is an essential asset in your presentation.