In today’s post, I will share with you how to boost your website credibility.
Your website is like a shop window for your coaching practice. For clients to make that crucial step and reach out to you, your website needs to instil trust.
You need to come across as professional, trustworthy and knowledgeable.
If your site doesn’t match up currently, then you need to boost your website credibility.
And there are a few key things you can do.
Now I want to share with you my top 20 website credibility builders:
1. Well-designed website (like it or now – people judge books by their covers)
A well-designed website is important for website credibility because it helps create a professional image for your site. Visitors will be more likely to take your site seriously if it looks like it was created by a professional. And it gives visitors the impression that you’re a professional and trustworthy coach.
2. Photos of you taken by a professional photographer
One of the most important ways to boost your website’s credibility is by featuring high-quality photos of yourself. People are visual and seeing a professional headshot or other photos that show you in a positive light will immediately make them think more highly of you or your coaching business. If you don’t have any professional photos of yourself, consider hiring a photographer to take some shots specifically for your website. It’s worth the investment!
3. You have an email address that includes your domain name (rather than a gmail, hotmail or similar address)
An email address that includes your domain name is important for website credibility because it shows that you are a professional who is serious about their business. It also builds trust with potential clients, as they can see that you are using a professional email service provider.
4. Testimonials from past clients
Including testimonials on your website is a great way to show potential clients that others have had positive experiences with you. They add third-party validation to your claims and can help convert skeptical visitors into clients.
When displayed prominently on your website, testimonials can have a significant impact on your bottom line. So if you’re not already using them, make sure to start collecting them from your satisfied customers today!
5. Certifications and awards
It’s important to show certifications and awards for website credibility because it helps build trust with potential clients. When people see that your site has been recognised by an authority figure or institution, they are more likely to believe that it is a credible source of information. This can help increase conversions and sales.
6. Memberships of associations
It’s important to show memberships of associations for website credibility because it shows that your website is a reliable source of information. When people see that you’re a member of an association, they’ll be more likely to trust your website and the information it contains. This can help boost your website’s traffic and make it more successful overall. So if you’re looking to improve your website’s credibility, be sure to list any relevant memberships on your site.
7. Your credentials
By displaying your qualifications, you are telling potential customers that you are an expert in your field and that they can trust you. This can help increase conversions and sales.
There are a few different ways that you can display your credentials on your website. One way is to list them in the About section of your site or on your Home page. You can also mention them in blog posts or articles that you write.
8. Your website has an SSL certificate (you will then have an HTTPS web address)
If you don’t have it, visitors will get a warning message saying that this website is “not secure”).
One of the most important ways to ensure your website is credible is by having an SSL certificate. This certificate provides secure communication between your website and visitors’ browsers and helps to protect sensitive information such as credit card numbers and personal information.
In addition, Google has stated that they give preference in search results to websites that have an SSL certificate, so it’s definitely worth getting one for your site.
You can easily purchase an SSL certificate from a reputable provider, and then install it on your server. Many hosts offer free SSL certificates – so check with your hosting service provider.
Once it’s installed, you’ll need to update your site’s URL to https:// in order for it to work properly.
9. High-quality images
High-quality images help with website credibility because they show that you are professional and that you care about your product or service. They also make your website look more attractive and trustworthy.
People are more likely to choose a coach with a website that looks credible, so it’s important to use high-quality images if you want to boost your website’s credibility.
Additionally, using images that are relevant to your content will also help improve your website’s credibility. Images that are related to what you’re offering on your website will show visitors that you’re an authority on the subject, which will make them more likely to trust your site and do business with you.
There are many sites where you can get high-quality free images for your website.
10. Correct spelling and grammar
One of the most important ways to boost your website’s credibility is by ensuring that all of your content is free of spelling mistakes and grammatically correct. This may seem like a small detail, but it can make a big difference in how readers perceive your site. If your content is full of errors, it will give the impression that you are sloppy and unprofessional, which will discourage people from choosing you as a coach.
Conversely, if your content is well-written and free of errors, it will convey a sense of professionalism and competence, which will inspire confidence in potential clients.
Of course, producing perfectly error-free content can be difficult, especially if you are not a native English speaker or if you are writing on a complex topic.
Apps such as Hemingway or Grammarly can help you with that.
11. Your contact information is clearly visible
Visibility of your contact information is important for website credibility because it allows readers to easily get in touch with you if they have any questions or concerns.
If your contact information is not visible, readers may feel like they cannot trust your site and will be less likely to use it. Having your contact information prominently displayed shows that you are open and willing to communicate with your readers, which can help build trust and credibility.
12. Your site is GDPR compliant (you have a cookie consent pop-up, a privacy policy & a GDPR-compliant email sign-up form)
There are many reasons why having a GDPR-compliant website is important for boosting your website’s credibility. First and foremost, it shows that you’re committed to protecting your users’ data and ensuring their privacy. This can go a long way in building trust with your audience. Furthermore, GDPR compliance can help you avoid hefty fines from the EU if you ever happen to violate the regulation. Finally, being GDPR compliant can help you attract more visitors from the European Union, as they will know that their data is safe with you.
Overall, there are many advantages to having a GDPR-compliant website. If you’re looking to boost your website’s credibility and build trust with your audience, then complying with the GDPR is a must.
13. There is no outdated information on your site
Keep your content updated and relevant – this will show visitors that you’re an active, engaged business that is keeping up with the latest trends.
14. You establish yourself as an expert through writing blog posts
Establishing yourself as an expert in your field can do wonders for your website’s credibility. By writing blog posts that are informative and well-researched, you’ll be able to show potential customers and clients that you know what you’re talking about – and that they can trust you as a source of information.
Moreover, having a blog also allows you to regularly update your website with new content, which helps to keep people coming back. If your website is updated on a regular basis with fresh and relevant content, it will only serve to further improve your credibility in the eyes of those who visit it.
15. No technical problems
Having no technical problems is important for website credibility because they show that the site is well-maintained and reliable. If a website is constantly down or has a lot of broken links, visitors will quickly lose trust in it. By contrast, a site that is always up and running smoothly communicates professionalism and competence. This increases the likelihood that visitors will return and recommend the site to others.
Technical difficulties can also damage a business’s reputation if they are not carefully handled. For example, if a customer cannot make a purchase because the website keeps crashing, they may never come back. Or, if an issue causes sensitive data to be leaked, this could create serious privacy concerns.
It’s crucial to have systems in place to prevent technical problems and fix them quickly if they do occur. This includes having a good web host, regular backups, and monitoring tools. It’s also important to have a plan for how you will communicate with customers if there is an issue.
If you can avoid technical problems and resolve them quickly when they do happen, you will help build trust and credibility for your website. This will make it more likely that visitors will stick around, make purchases and recommend your site to others.
16. Media mentions
One way to help boost your website’s credibility is by securing media mentions. This can be done by sending out press releases to relevant media outlets, or by reaching out to journalists and bloggers who cover topics related to your site. If you can get your site featured in a positive light on popular websites and publications, this can go a long way towards increasing your overall credibility.
17. Case studies of your work
If you have any case studies of your work, make sure to list them on your website. This will help increase its credibility in the eyes of potential clients. You can also create a blog and write articles that discuss your industry or field in detail. This will show that you are an expert in your field, and people will be more likely to trust your website.
18. No old-fashioned blinking banners or similar
People are more likely to stay on and trust a website that appears up-to-date and professional. Having old-fashioned banners or similar can make people leave the site, which hurts your credibility. Make sure your website looks its best to give visitors the best impression possible.
19. Website loads quickly
In today’s fast-paced world, people are used to getting the information they need quickly and easily. If your website takes too long to load, visitors are likely to click away before they even have a chance to see what you have to offer. Not only is this frustrating for potential customers, but it can also cause your search engine ranking to suffer.
20. No broken links or forms
When it comes to website credibility, broken links can be a real problem. Not only do they make your site look unprofessional, but they can also damage your reputation with search engines and visitors alike.
Don’t let potential clients be put off by your site and leave.
Make sure that you have a website that instils trust and credibility.
Take the time now to boost your website credibility by implementing my suggestions.
And if you want some help with your website, then get in touch.
Let’s chat about your website!