When it comes to convincing or motivating purchases, you can’t go wrong with credibility. When you’re believable and trustworthy, people will be more inclined to want to work with you. Your website is the hub of your online presence and is often the first way people learn about who you are and how you can help them, so it has to demonstrate credibility.
Here are eight ways to ensure your website rates high in credibility:
1. Cut the hype.
Make sure the claims and promises you make are backed up by evidence. Evidence can be in the form of testimonials, raw data, facts and statistics or reviews. Always back up your promises and claims and if you can’t back them up, don’t make them. Consumers are too savvy to buy into it.
2. Testimonials, reviews, and endorsements.
When you want to hire a plumber for example, you want to talk to people he or she has done work for to make sure former customers were happy with the work. Your prospects would like the same peace of mind about working with you. Including testimonials and links to review sites on your website is a great way to show your website visitors that you can deliver on what you promise.
So how do you get testimonials, reviews and endorsements to put on your website? Sometimes customers are so pleased with your products or services that they happily offer them up. However, don’t be afraid to ask them for a testimonial. Send a survey or email or pick up the phone and talk to customers who you know had a positive experience.
3. Make your website look professional.
We can all quickly recognize a website that’s just trying to grab a few bucks versus one that has time, effort and professional attention put into it. Make sure your website is easy on the eyes, easy to navigate and looks and feels professional.
4. Include links to other credible websites.
Links to other professional websites is great for search engine optimization as well as making your website more credible. But make sure those products and services you represent, promote and endorse are credible and reflect the image you want to portray. One unethical business partner can pull you down.
5. Update your content frequently.
Ever visit a blog and it’s been a long time since any content has been posted? That’s a sure sign that the business owner has dropped the ball. Even regurgitating posts is better than nothing. But a consistently offering valuable and relevant content is a great way to improve your website credibility.
6. Show your expertise.
If you’ve studied with an expert, taken a course, won an award, have years of experience or have helped someone accomplish something relevant to your niche, share it. People love to see stamps of approval and award won. Simply joining an organization in your industry and placing that organizations logo on your website with a “Member of….” will help boost your credibility.
7. Have a presence on your website.
People want to know there’s a real live person behind the website. That means include an about us page, contact information, and any information or background you can include that adds to your online credibility. Also provide prominent links to your social media pages to make it easy for people to follow you.
8. Pay attention to detail.
Typos, grammar errors, spelling errors, misaligned formatting and broken links all give the appearance of sloppiness and detract from your credibility.
[tweetthis]8 Ways to Ensure Your #Website Has #Credibility[/tweetthis]
Credibility is earned through hard work, dedication and an attention to detail. When you start with the right mindset and intentions, it’ll show through your website and your customers and visitors will recognize you for the outstanding expert you are.
For more on how to make your website more interesting for visitors, download my free report “8 Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make to Their Websites – and What You Can Do to Avoid Them.”
Deidra Miller
Customer Service and Administrative Consultant
