One of the most important elements of your online business is your website. It’s as important to you as a storefront is to a brick and mortar business. Your website represents who you are and what you have to offer.

Your Website Is Your Prospect’s First Impression

You know what they say about first impressions, right? Actually, a lot is said about first impressions. Two of the clichés are:

1 – You never get a second chance to make a first impression.

And,

2 – Your first impression matters most.

Essentially, they say the same thing. Your prospect’s first impression matters. You want people to come to your website and:

• Feel welcome – like they want to stay and have a look around
• Feel comfortable moving around on your site
• Feel confident in you – your knowledge, skills, and products or services
• Feel like buying, subscribing or clicking through (whatever your goal or business model is)

And you want them to feel like coming back! Continue reading →

When it comes to convincing or motivating purchases you can’t go wrong with credibility. When you’re believable and trustworthy, people will trust you and be more inclined to make a purchase. Because you’re an internet entrepreneur, your website has to do much of the talking for you – your website has to demonstrate credibility. Here’s nine ways to improve your website credibility

1 – Cut the Hype

Make sure the claims and promises you make are backed up by evidence. Evidence can be in the form of testimonials, raw data, facts and statistics or reviews. Always back up your promises and claims and if you can’t back them up, don’t make them. Consumers are too savvy to buy into it.

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2 – Testimonials, Reviews, and Endorsements

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have an endorsement on your website from the leading personality in your industry? Imagine if you were in the crafting industry and Martha Stewart herself put her name and endorsement on your products, you’d be rolling in the dough.

So how do you get testimonials, reviews and endorsements to put on your website? Well sometimes customers are so pleased with your products or services that they happily offer them up, however most of the time you’re going to have to ask for them. Send an email or pick up the phone and talk to customers who you know had a positive experience. Continue reading →