6 Steps for Establishing Online Credibility

Credibility is one of those things that builds over time. Every business wants to have it, but unfortunately for online businesses, it can be very difficult. For offline businesses, most consumers determine whether or not a business is credible based upon the physical appearance and the experience they have. Offline businesses also have the advantage of personally interacting with customers.

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Online businesses, on the other hand, have only a few seconds to prove their credibility. But as pointed out in the above broadcast, it can be done with the implementation of several steps. First of all, you need impress visitors to your site. Visual appearance says a lot for a business online. You should make sure your graphics are appealing and current.

Secondly, try posting a quote, motto, or testimonial at the top of your homepage and above the fold. This allows visitors to see how their peers view your company. Also, it offers a look into the company that shows what inspires it or what its goals are.

The third step is to gain credibility by association. Be sure to display the names of your partners and clients. If visitors recognize a credible brand’s name, it will help to validate your brand.

Fourthly, you need to make certain that a link to your "About" page is clearly visible because it is one of the most clicked on pages on all websites. It should include informative content that tells who you are and the history of the business.

Many people struggle with this section because they have difficulty talking about themselves. To help with this step, Patrick O’Keefe, the Founder of the iFroggy Network, suggests the following tips:

1. Look for people that are doing it right and follow their example
2. Abide by the guidelines of the community

Taking his suggestion a little further, you can also develop credibility through social media. Whether you like it or not, social is everywhere and is not going away. Although it is important to have links on your site pointing to your social networks, it is even more important to have fans, friends, and followers to offer further authentication for your brand.

The last step to establishing credibility is through guarantees. One example in which guarantees are effective is e-commerce. Guarantees build trust and give consumers a sense of comfort. If you do provide guarantees, make them believable and not spammy.

While all these elements establish credibility, sometimes businesses have trouble incorporating them out of fear of being perceived as arrogant. In this case, the line between arrogance and confidence is gray. But as O’Keefe explains, businesses should simply tell their experience and let the community develop its own perception.

"It’s never for me to say whether or not I’m good; it’s always for someone else to say whether or not I’m good," he says.

What tips can you offer to help establish online credibility?