| When was the last time you ever did business with | | | | testimonials. Second, make sure the testimonials |
| someone youdidn't trust? When did you last do | | | | arespecific about how you helped the customer or |
| business with someone thatyou suspected of being | | | | client instead ofsomething general like, "You guys are |
| dishonest? Never. | | | | great!" Something likethat is not specific enough, and |
| This is because trust and credibility are crucial in any | | | | you might as well leave it out. |
| businesstransaction. In fact, engendering these qualities | | | | Third, make sure the people providing the testimonials |
| in yourvisitor is perhaps the most important aspect of | | | | are easyto contact either via an e-mail address or |
| running acommercial website. Without building trust or | | | | with a websiteaddress. |
| credibility, you'll never be able to sell your product or | | | | 6 - Provide visitors with plenty of contact information. |
| service(s). This isbecause your potential customer has | | | | Many online businesses are fly-by-night companies |
| no idea who they're dealingwith, what your reputation | | | | who are heretoday and gone tomorrow. People are |
| is, and if they're going to get whatthey expect. If they | | | | especially scared of gettingcheated by one of these |
| can't trust you, why would they pick youinstead of | | | | companies or people. So, in order toassuage their |
| someone who they can trust? | | | | fears, make your contact information readilyavailable |
| So, to help you create a trusting environment on your | | | | for viewing at all times. You should ALWAYS |
| website, I've compiled a list of ten things you can do: | | | | includeyour phone number, address, and e-mail |
| 1 - Don't Make Outrageous Claims. | | | | addresses in an easilyaccessible section of your |
| This one is common sense, but you would be surprised | | | | website. |
| at how manypeople break this rule. Have you ever | | | | 7 - Let people get to know who you are. |
| visited a site that's | | | | A perfect way to go about doing this is to have an |
| *obviously* been built for a little "mom & pop" shop that | | | | "About Us"page that gives a bit of background on all |
| claimsthey're "The #1 Blah Blah Blah in America," the | | | | the members of yourcompany or business. This is |
| "The Best on the | | | | effective because the Internet is avery impersonal |
| Planet," or something similar? And what impression | | | | medium. Adding information about who you areoften |
| does thatleave with you? Probably that these people | | | | warms people up to your offer because they feel |
| don't know whatthey're doing or are not to be trusted. | | | | likethey're dealing with a real person instead of a |
| So please people, bereasonable with what you say, | | | | computer screen. |
| because people won't believe youotherwise. | | | | When people feel like they "know you," they trust you |
| 2 - Check for and correct any grammar or spelling | | | | as well. |
| errors. | | | | 8 - Take the "honest" approach from time to time. |
| I've said this so many times before, but it's SO | | | | It's somewhat difficult to convey to you exactly what |
| important thatthe content of your site is essentially | | | | you shoulddo to accomplish this. But the concept is |
| flawless. Nothing says, | | | | pretty simple.you don't always have to try to "sell" your |
| "We're not to be trusted!" better than some spelling | | | | visitor on your product orservice. Try being honest and |
| and grammarerrors. To correct this problem, it's best | | | | up-front with your visitors andpotential customers. For |
| to get several peopleto read through your site and | | | | a good example what I'm talking about,just visit my site. |
| point out any errors they see. | | | | ( You'll see that inplaces, I'm very blunt about what |
| Also, ALWAYS run any content you've made through | | | | we're trying to accomplish andhow we can help you. |
| a spell checkerimmediately before posting it. | | | | By trying to avoid "hyping" the visitor, Ioften gain their |
| 3 - Give a risk-free guarantee on your product or | | | | trust. |
| services (andmake it "no questions asked"). | | | | 9 - Write articles for other websites and newsletters |
| Think about the beauty of this tactic. It does two things | | | | related toyour field of expertise. |
| foryou right away. First of all, it removes any risk for | | | | When someone reads your informative and |
| thecustomer, so they are usually far more likely to buy. | | | | enlightening article on atopic they need help with, they |
| Secondly,it builds trust because the customer assumes | | | | immediately regard you as anexpert, and they feel as |
| that if you'reoffering a "no questions asked" guarantee, | | | | though they can trust you. When you'veengendered |
| you're willing totrust them. And if you're willing to trust | | | | their trust, and they are already interested in thetype of |
| them, they're usuallywilling to trust you! | | | | product or service you offer, it's VERY easy to make |
| 4 - Publish a free newsletter. | | | | asale. All you have to do is get them to your website! |
| It's been proven that it usually takes more than one | | | | 10 - Make your site look like it was made by a pro! |
| exposure toa product or service before someone will | | | | If you visited a run-down, nasty store with dusty |
| buy it. By running afree newsletter, you can gain those | | | | shelves andcluttered items, you'd never buy one thing |
| needed exposures. In theprocess of exposing those | | | | from them, even iftheir prices were incredible and their |
| potential clients to your product orservice repeatedly, | | | | product quite good. Ifyour website is "virtually" |
| you can also build trust with your newsletterif your | | | | run-down, the same thing's going tohappen - no one will |
| content is good. If you've got something valuable | | | | buy from you. You've got to look good tosell well, |
| andhelpful to say, people will see you as an expert in | | | | because people *do* judge a book by its cover, |
| your fieldand therefore trust you. And then you get | | | | andthey'll your website by its "cover." So get your site |
| their business. | | | | designedby a pro or invest some time learning how to |
| 5 - Use testimonials! | | | | make it look good byyourself. If you don't, you'll never |
| I can't stress how important putting testimonials on | | | | reap the full potential ofthe Internet. |
| your websiteis. If people can see proof that you've | | | | Hopefully, these suggestions will help you on your way |
| made previous customershappy, they almost always | | | | tobecoming an online success (or more of one if you |
| trust you. However, in order for thisto be effective, | | | | already are). |
| you've got to do several things: first, NEVERmake up | | | | Good luck! |