Web Site Believable
4. Is Your Website BELIEVABLE?
You should generally avoid sensationalism.
Sensational claims! MLM scams. Using sensational claims will typically generate immediate suspicion for all those except the most gullible — even if the claims are true!
Even if you’ve got the best thing going on planet earth, you should tone down any claims that sound sensational in order to become more believable, or the truth may never have a chance to be exposed.
Use plenty of testimonials.
You can’t have too many of these, and the more personal they are, the better. Put them on your page, and if they have a real photo and a real name live in a real place, people might even think they are real.
Even better is to get your best referrals to write an article about you on their own websites and link out to them!
You don’t have to display ALL of them on the page, but put a couple on the page and provide a link for browsers to see more.
Links to other credible businesses.
Every business needs "power partners." Power partners are businesses that can naturally and effectively reciprocate referrals to one another.
These should be on your "links" or "partners" page. "Partners" is often used on the web in a generic sense (not the legal form) to refer to other businesses that recommend you, and you recommend them.
If you have links to each other’s websites, then you should also be referring business regularly to each other personally.
Post your privacy policy.
Most online merchant account providers will not even do business with you if you don’t have a privacy policy posted on your website. Why? They don’t want to be associated with businesses that refuse to disclose their privacy policies for both ethical and legal reasons.
Post your returns policy?
What does the consumer do if they are dissatisfied with your product or service? Let them know what steps to take if they are dissatisfied.
Everyone blows it sometimes. Be sure to make it right when you blow it, and post your returns policy.
Do you need a security certificate?
If you are collecting credit card information on your own domain, you need a security certificate, and maybe if you don’t.
Security certificates have differing levels of validation and serve two purposes:
1) To confirm for the consumer that the website actually represents a genuine business entity.2) To encrypt private information (such as credit card numbers) on the website. Websites can be compromised, and encryption of personal data is an identity theft protection mechanism when there has been a data breach.
Have a good "About Page".
Ordinarily, there should be at least a brief paragraph and a small image on your home page that links out to this page, in addition to the link being found in the main navigational hierarchy of your website.
The number 1 element that sways buying decisions is consumer confidence, and it is nigh impossible to create consumer confidence when a consumer can’t see you and learn about you. They need to first decide if they can TRUST you before they buy from you. A good about page will help.
List your affiliations.
Are you a member of your local chamber of commerce or other business groups? List them. Are you a member of other service clubs or not for profit organizations? List them.
List your credentials and certifications.
Even though this is precisely the OPPOSITE place to start when first introducing yourself to a new prospective client, they need to get there eventually.
You grab their attention telling them how you can solve their problems, but then have to convince them that you can. Your credentials and certifications help to validate that you are an expert in your vocation.
How BELIEVABLE is your Web site? Grade it!
How BELIEVABLE is your Web site? Grade it!__ 1 __ 2 __ 3 __ 4 __ 5 __ 6 __ 7 __ 8 __ 9 __ 10
