Building Online Credibility
Surveys show that only 29% of Internet users trust the websites that they visit enough to make a purchase. Only 33% say that they trust the websites that are giving advice or reviews about the products they would like to purchase. This doesn’t say much for the online credibility of most web sites
One of the oddities of the times is that there are 58% of the population that were surveyed who still trust and believe in newspapers, television and radio news.
Now, this is the real bazar fact….
There are 47% of the surveyed population that still trust the US federal government in Washington, DC, even with everything that has just occured with our economy. Go figure. It makes me wonder if many of the people surveyed were Washington politicial assistants or PR personnel. (Grin)
Alrighty then.
You have built a fabulous website that offers a a product that you have worked your ass off to produce. Perhaps you are offering a service that runs circles around your competition. Your site is actually getting visitors because you have done your research and have included SEO on your web pages, yet still - no conversion. In other words nobody is buying diddly-squat!
What are you doing wrong?
Who are you? Does any body know? How credible are you? Are you someone to be trusted? Is there a way for your prospective customer to get a hold of you should she have a problem with her purchase?
These are the types of questions that will run through the mind of a potential customer when she is trying to decide if she should buy from you or not.
Why should you be trusted instead of a competitor with a mediocre website? It all comes down to credibility and trust. On the Web credibility rules!
Online credibility is how you are perceived to your viewers. Are you an expert in your field? Are you honest or trustworthy? How your viewers perceive you on the Internet is the key that will make a huge difference in your online business.
What it all boils down to is two main factors of perception:
Are you an expert in your field?
Are you trustworthy?
People will evaluate these two elements subconciously, and combine them to develop an overall assessment of perceived online credibility.
When you are perceived to be an expert in your field you are looked upon as a knowledgeable person with the experience to provide the information that the visitor is seeking.
Establishing an online presence will increase the perception of your credibility. When your name, your brand and/or your face becomes well known in the circle of your field of expertise, people will begin to perceive you as someone who is credible or trustworthy.
How do you begin building online credibility?
Here are a few examples:
1. Putting photos of yourself on your published works, such as your websites, articles. and forums. People are more responsive when they can establish that you are a real person that they can relate to.
2. Be sure to include contact information and privacy policies on your website. People may not always read them, but they want to know that they are available should they decide to do so.
3. Respond to prospects and clients emails promptly. When clients do not receive a respond for a simple question, your credibility drops conciderably.
4. Using testimonials from happy customers also helps. Even though people know logically, that testimonials can be created, emotionally, people are more receptive to them.
5. Write a short biography to use on the “about me” page and to use with articles that you post. This works the same as putting up your photo. People are more responsive when they can establish that you are a real person that they can relate to.
6. Check and double check your website for spelling errors and broken links. This can be a real big turn off for visitors.
7. Use forums and blogs to your advantage by giving helpful, expert information and leave a link to your website in the signature file.
These are just a few suggestions to begin building online credibility.
