To build a successful online business, you also need to build your
credibility. Credibility is the quality you must possess to enable
potential customers to trust and believe in you. This credibility will
certainly extend to your business as well.
People need to be able to trust in your expertise and integrity when dealing
with you. For some people, their credibility is their most valuable
business asset. But, unfortunately, inexperience can cause many people to
chip away at their credibility without even realizing it.
If you are regularly or repeatedly doing any of the following, you might
want to reconsider and refine your business activities.
1. Taking Your Customers for Granted – This is surprising, but I see so many
people taking their customers for granted and not realizing how important
each and every one of them are – even if they do not make a purchase right
away. Take the time to really listen to your customers. Do not get locked
into the "I have to get the sale" trap. First you have to make the
connection, build the trust and then chances are the sale will come. Put
the customer and their needs first, not the sale.
2. Not Taking Responsibility – When something goes wrong with your sales
transaction or other business matter, be sure to step up and accept
responsibility. Do not try to place blame elsewhere or make excuses.
People will see through this and a chunk of your credibility will fall away.
You may think that trying to convince the customer that it was not your
fault will help but it shows a lack of responsibility and commitment.
Apologizing and doing everything you can to rectify the situation will go
much farther in building your credibility.
3. Being too Pushy and Aggressive – The days of the pushy forceful salesman
are gone. People want someone who can work with them, listen to them and
offer them a solution. Show your customers you are that person and let them
know you can give them what they need.
4. Being Inconsistent — To have a successful business you need to be
consistent and regular. For example: If you send out a weekly mailing to
your mailing list, be sure to send it out weekly. I, unfortunately, know a
few online business owners who will send out a mailing here and there. I
also know some websites that advertise new products daily but many times I
have visited and nothing. These are exactly the types of mistakes that
could destroy your credibility and drive away your potential customers.
When you say you are going to do something, Do It!
5. Pushing Your Personal Life – In this day and age with the Internet and
social media, you can reach more people than ever thought possible. But
unfortunately, many people get way too personal. When you are running a
business and trying to connect with people you need to share insights,
resources and information to help build your credibility, not your personal
problems. You will need to listen to your customer's problems but when a
person comes to you for a solution to their problem, do not talk to them
about your problems with the kids or how many bills you have to pay.
Another chip of credibility will fall away.
6. Website Appearance – Imagine you are looking for a business from which to
purchase furniture for your home. You come across this one store with music
blaring, inappropriate pictures hanging all around and people sitting around
talking about their home life and personal issues and telling jokes that may
or may not be offensive. What would you do? Most people would quickly
decide to keep looking. This is the same with your website. Be sure your
website is clean and appropriate in appearance. Make it easy to use and
navigate. Let the visitor know exactly what you offer and how easy it is to
get it. Your website appearance will go hand-in-hand with your credibility.
7. Hype and Trickery – Many people are under the misconception that flashy
hype and misleading marketing methods are the way to get sales. Although
they may get some sales, for a lasting customer relationship, you need to be
straightforward and just be honest. The best example of hype and trickery
would be the old-fashioned car salesmen with all the glitter, glitz and
marketing tricks to get people to buy from them. These practices are no
longer viable. People got tired of the flash. They just want to know
exactly what you can offer them and if it is what they need or want.
Consumers can see through the trickery and a little less credibility for you
will be the result.
8. Not Making Yourself Available – Many times I have gone to a website and
wanted to ask a question or contact the owner. Unfortunately all I found
was a generic contact form. The owner gave no information about themselves,
no name, no e-mail, nothing. This always amazes me because if you are in
business and do not let people know who you are or how to contact you, how
can you realistically expect people to trust you and consider you credible.
Always be readily available for your visitors and customers. This is a
number one priority when in business. Do not be a ghost on your own
website!
9. No About Us Page – Although you do not want to get too personal, you do
want to let people know a little about you and what you stand for. Write a
simple yet informative About Us page to let people know a little about you.
Have a picture of yourself on the page to add a human touch to your website.
Let people know who you are and what you can do for them.
10. Not Using Correct Grammar and Spelling – I know this is probably on
every list from every article I have written but it is very important.
Always be sure to use correct grammar and spelling. Be professional. We
all make typos and those can be forgiven but sentences like this cannot:
"my name is martha and I am here to help u lern too be a excellent
marketer." You might think that this is a little extreme but I have seen
worse! So, please, be extra careful when writing your website copy. If
possible, have someone look it over for you to be sure you didn't miss
anything. Little things like using a or an correctly can help make or break
your credibility!
The above ideas are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to your
credibility so be sure to tread carefully when it comes to your business.
Show your customers you can be trusted by doing things that help them first,
not you!
my motto is "Keep it simple" and "don't leave anything for tomorrow that can
be done today."
Regards Gerald Crawford
Stellenbosch South Africa
Cell: +27-0720390184 (mobile)
E-mail: gerald@webcraft.ws
---
This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active.
http://www.avast.com
credibility. Credibility is the quality you must possess to enable
potential customers to trust and believe in you. This credibility will
certainly extend to your business as well.
People need to be able to trust in your expertise and integrity when dealing
with you. For some people, their credibility is their most valuable
business asset. But, unfortunately, inexperience can cause many people to
chip away at their credibility without even realizing it.
If you are regularly or repeatedly doing any of the following, you might
want to reconsider and refine your business activities.
1. Taking Your Customers for Granted – This is surprising, but I see so many
people taking their customers for granted and not realizing how important
each and every one of them are – even if they do not make a purchase right
away. Take the time to really listen to your customers. Do not get locked
into the "I have to get the sale" trap. First you have to make the
connection, build the trust and then chances are the sale will come. Put
the customer and their needs first, not the sale.
2. Not Taking Responsibility – When something goes wrong with your sales
transaction or other business matter, be sure to step up and accept
responsibility. Do not try to place blame elsewhere or make excuses.
People will see through this and a chunk of your credibility will fall away.
You may think that trying to convince the customer that it was not your
fault will help but it shows a lack of responsibility and commitment.
Apologizing and doing everything you can to rectify the situation will go
much farther in building your credibility.
3. Being too Pushy and Aggressive – The days of the pushy forceful salesman
are gone. People want someone who can work with them, listen to them and
offer them a solution. Show your customers you are that person and let them
know you can give them what they need.
4. Being Inconsistent — To have a successful business you need to be
consistent and regular. For example: If you send out a weekly mailing to
your mailing list, be sure to send it out weekly. I, unfortunately, know a
few online business owners who will send out a mailing here and there. I
also know some websites that advertise new products daily but many times I
have visited and nothing. These are exactly the types of mistakes that
could destroy your credibility and drive away your potential customers.
When you say you are going to do something, Do It!
5. Pushing Your Personal Life – In this day and age with the Internet and
social media, you can reach more people than ever thought possible. But
unfortunately, many people get way too personal. When you are running a
business and trying to connect with people you need to share insights,
resources and information to help build your credibility, not your personal
problems. You will need to listen to your customer's problems but when a
person comes to you for a solution to their problem, do not talk to them
about your problems with the kids or how many bills you have to pay.
Another chip of credibility will fall away.
6. Website Appearance – Imagine you are looking for a business from which to
purchase furniture for your home. You come across this one store with music
blaring, inappropriate pictures hanging all around and people sitting around
talking about their home life and personal issues and telling jokes that may
or may not be offensive. What would you do? Most people would quickly
decide to keep looking. This is the same with your website. Be sure your
website is clean and appropriate in appearance. Make it easy to use and
navigate. Let the visitor know exactly what you offer and how easy it is to
get it. Your website appearance will go hand-in-hand with your credibility.
7. Hype and Trickery – Many people are under the misconception that flashy
hype and misleading marketing methods are the way to get sales. Although
they may get some sales, for a lasting customer relationship, you need to be
straightforward and just be honest. The best example of hype and trickery
would be the old-fashioned car salesmen with all the glitter, glitz and
marketing tricks to get people to buy from them. These practices are no
longer viable. People got tired of the flash. They just want to know
exactly what you can offer them and if it is what they need or want.
Consumers can see through the trickery and a little less credibility for you
will be the result.
8. Not Making Yourself Available – Many times I have gone to a website and
wanted to ask a question or contact the owner. Unfortunately all I found
was a generic contact form. The owner gave no information about themselves,
no name, no e-mail, nothing. This always amazes me because if you are in
business and do not let people know who you are or how to contact you, how
can you realistically expect people to trust you and consider you credible.
Always be readily available for your visitors and customers. This is a
number one priority when in business. Do not be a ghost on your own
website!
9. No About Us Page – Although you do not want to get too personal, you do
want to let people know a little about you and what you stand for. Write a
simple yet informative About Us page to let people know a little about you.
Have a picture of yourself on the page to add a human touch to your website.
Let people know who you are and what you can do for them.
10. Not Using Correct Grammar and Spelling – I know this is probably on
every list from every article I have written but it is very important.
Always be sure to use correct grammar and spelling. Be professional. We
all make typos and those can be forgiven but sentences like this cannot:
"my name is martha and I am here to help u lern too be a excellent
marketer." You might think that this is a little extreme but I have seen
worse! So, please, be extra careful when writing your website copy. If
possible, have someone look it over for you to be sure you didn't miss
anything. Little things like using a or an correctly can help make or break
your credibility!
The above ideas are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to your
credibility so be sure to tread carefully when it comes to your business.
Show your customers you can be trusted by doing things that help them first,
not you!
my motto is "Keep it simple" and "don't leave anything for tomorrow that can
be done today."
Regards Gerald Crawford
Stellenbosch South Africa
Cell: +27-0720390184 (mobile)
E-mail: gerald@webcraft.ws
---
This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active.
http://www.avast.com
Comments