Alice Repetti

Alice Repetti - Italy

ESTABLISH CREDIBILITY:

For most potential clients, a visit to your web site will be their first contact with you. If their first impression is a negative impression, you are history. A well-designed web site helps you establish credibility. Here are the basics:

Avoid templates and free web pages - you may think you are getting a great deal, but they only hurt your business.

Invest in keeping your site updated, otherwise people may think you are no longer in business. Update your site technology to ensure it is visible to search engines and across different browsers. Update offers, update pictures, update prices and rates as needed. Your web site is a marketing tool.

Invest in a merchant account. Paypal and similar services are fine for personal use, but they do not help build a professional image for you. If you decide to accept credit cards online, go with a reputable company such as your business bank.

Avoid addresses using Aol, Hotmail, Yahoo, Msn or anything other than your own domain. It`s unprofessional to use your personal email address for business. Use yourname@yourwebsite.com

When users can`t immediately see your online image as a credible, legitimate business, they develop fear of doing business with you. They abandon their shopping carts or inquiry forms, and you lose the opportunity to do business with them.