How to Build Credibility Online
Craig Lock
"We share what we know, so that others may grow."
I find this
a most interesting and somewhat complex subject, as there has to
be TRUST in any business relationship before any exchange is
made. This can be quite difficult to achieve, when you have never
met your customer (prospect) face to face in another part of the
country...or even the world. Having been on the www over seven
years, here are a few pointers that we find helpful in the online
sales process:
1. Have your OWN DOMAIN NAME (not expensive - less than $20 a
year from 000Domains.com. We have consolidated (big word, eh!)
our web sites and now have five of them at:
http://kompuwiz.com/kompustore and it's sister site at
www.soulful-books.com. Also
www.craiglock.com
www.craiglockbooks.com and
www.bridgeniche.com
2. Offer GUARANTEES (money-back) on your products or services
N.B:
3. Emphasise transaction SECURITY in the form of a secure payment
system and a secure server.
4. OFFER TESTIMONIALS
5. Have a PRIVACY POLICY for your online business. Offer a
Privacy Statement
6. Have CONTACT INFO on your web site. People then know to get
hold of you, if they want further info... or if there is a
problem (they do occur from time to time, but a problem is only
an opportunity in disguise!).
7. Offer a BRIEF BIO - a little bit about yourself and how you
are qualified to offer your product or service. This builds trust
in your abilities.
8. Have a FEEDBACK FORM on your web site for visitors comments
about possible improvements... and finally and most importantly,
9. BE YOURSELF, YET BE PROFESSIONAL IN YOUR WRITING (on your web
site). Just be YOU, when writing script on your website or in
your ezine articles . Ensure the information is accurate - write
with absolute integrity and honesty. Also suggest using a bit of
HUMOUR in your writing. I try to use a "dollop", as I believe
reading a computer screen is not a very exciting pastime (except
to "geeks"). It's also a sedentary (big word) activity; so the
least I can do for our site visitors, as a reward, is attempting
informing and trying to entertain at the same time with doses of
my "rather strange/wacky/ zany" humour. Hopefully it works and
gets appreciated
(without people thinking I'm a "looney/nutter")!
10. Use proper grammar and punctuation (with the right "case")
and avoid misspelling. This makes you appear to be
"professional"- in your writing and in your "appearance"... and
image is EVERYTHING on the www.
11. Avoid using slang. Remember,
the Internet is global and your "funny language" might offend
other cultures. For example, I've learnt to avoid using the word
"Yank"!
12. Send all marketing email to yourself first as a test. Check
the layout, spelling and grammar...to see how it looks in your
prospective client's eyes - ie. on THEIR computers.
13. Think before you re-act to an abusive message. "Strike in
haste and repent in leisure (I've done that a few times - not
that I get many negative messages!). My advice...leave the
message in your "in-box" for a day. Then look at it after you
have calmed down...and decide whether it is worthy of a response
- will it change anything? Perhaps the sender is just having a
disasterous day and after deliberation, you can send a word of
kindly encouragement in your "carefully composed" reply.
(The subconscious mind will help you in this).
14. Really CARE about
people and treat them with respect as fellow human 'beans'.
We all have frailties and are vulnerable at times. More
times than at others. We can get all what WE want in life through
helping other people get what THEY want (thanks Zig Zigler)...
and finally,
15. "GIVE AND THOU SHALT RECEIVE." GIVE FREE INFORMATION ... AND
YOU WILL SURELY RECEIVE FAR MORE IN RETURN. (Everybody has unique
knowledge and expertise in certain areas - specialised skills,
which can help others through SHARING). This is the basis of "the
Golden Rule", the Law of Giving, which is the basis of all the
religions of the world (I think!).
Become a "busy internet marketing bee" in building your online
credibility and so making a name for yourself in the "vast
unchartered world of cyberspace".
Follow all these steps and people then will be attracted to your
web site (and regular TRAFFIC is THE BASIS/KEY FOR/TO SALES),
like bees to a honey-pot (that's a simile, by the way!).
Here's to finding your "pot of gold" at the end of the internet
marketing "rainbow".*
* that's a metaphor, BTW
Craig Lock has been marketing products online
for the past seven years. Craig is a writer, who believes in
sharing information, as well as encouraging and helping others to
find their talents and gifts, to strive for and accomplish their
dreams in life - whatever they may be.
"Inspirational Books" by Craig Lock * are available at:
http://kompuwiz.com/kompustore (click on SoulfulBooks)
http://www.craiglock.com/books.html and
http://www.bridgeniche.com
* Hard copies and e-books - fiction and non-fiction:
self help, personal growth, inspiration, travel, humour,
novels and money books.
Uplifting, encouraging and empowering people through the power of
words and thought energy. Change YOUR world and you change THE
world."
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