Small Business Websites
How to Build Website Credibility
Written by Charles Mburugu for Gaebler Ventures
If you have a business website and are trying to sell something, it is essential that you are able to build and maintain credibility. When you ask people to buy from you, they need to be convinced why they should purchase from you and not from another site or your competitor. So how do you go about building website credibility?
Strong website credibility is developed over a long time, but it can be destroyed in seconds. If you are able to establish credibility, you will be way ahead of your competition.
Too many websites are lacking in this vital aspect of business. A well-designed website is useless if it cannot make a sale. The following are some things you can do to give credibility to your website, and consequently have a successful business.
Place your customer first
This means writing particular text targeted at your customer in regards to refund policies, frequently asked questions, satisfaction guarantee and any other helpful information. Convince them why they should purchase from you and not your competition. What are you offering that others are not?
Show consistency in everything you say and do on the website
If you keep changing your policies, people will not trust you. State your policies and values clearly on your website.
State the truth in your advertising
Do not exaggerate or make false claims. If your customer is dissatisfied after a sale because of exaggerated claims, you are likely to lose trust and future business.
Offer only high quality services and products
You should not sell inferior quality items as you may not get repeat business. The key to profits is repeat business. Offer guarantees and refunds.
Brand yourself as a specialist in the field
This can be done by including a discussion board on the website and contributing regularly. You could also post relevant articles weekly on your website.
Use testimonials
Contact past customers, request for their opinion, and then post them on the website. Testimonials increase the validity of your products and helps justify the purchase.
Make your presence felt
Create an ezine and offer useful articles, insights and tips into your websites' topic. This gives people information for free and will keep your business in their minds. When they need to buy a product, they will remember you.
Deliver your products promptly
Purchasers don't want to wait too long for their items to arrive. Offer immediate download for digital products. If you are shipping a product, make sure it is in the mail within two days. You could also offer various shipping methods. It all boils down to customer service.
Have contact information on your site
Include a contact form or/and a valid email address, phone number and business address on the site so customers can contact you easily with any concerns or questions. Make sure you respond as soon as possible.
Include an About Me page
Talk about yourself and your journey into the business. Post pictures if possible. This humanizes you and potential customers feel more confident about purchasing from you.
Charles Mburugu writes for us from his home in Nairobi. He has a graduate degree in Business Management from Kenya Institute of Management. He is interested in writing about branding, CSR and intellectual property.
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