50% of web visitors will leave your page in under 8 seconds…that’s less than an elevator speech, and generally not much time to tell someone how amazing, intelligent, reliable, or tasty you are.  So, what are these discerning and sophisticated people scanning for in those 8 seconds that makes them stay?

Potential customers want to know what you’re selling, and if it’s any good (according to someone other than you and your mom).  How to do that takes some finesse.

OOOooh….how do you do it?  (Read more on this scintillating topic)

Credibility Indicators :

-          Should stand out in eye-catching text blocks or titles

-          Should be located above the website fold

-          Use a minimum of 2-3  

Ahhhhh….what do they look like?

-          Testimonials or Quotes from happy customers

-          Years in service

-          Awards/Recognition

-          Press about YOUR organization (yes resources are nice, but they don’t need to be on the home page)

-          Statement of superior quality

-          Pictures of happy customers in action

-          Portfolio (product pictures don’t count…this refers to businesses that one-off products)

-          Community Partnerships or Professional Affiliations

The Stats:

Green Rising Marketing reviewed SBN patrons from the largest brewing companies to the smallest accounting firms, including baby diapers, retro bathing suits, health clinics and more for their credibility indicators.

-          A shocking 44% of mostly smaller businesses used NO CREDIBILITY INDICATORS at all!

-          Sadly, only 6% used the highly effective testimonial quote

-          16% displayed small well hidden Professional Association logos at the bottom

-          40% used one of the other listed C.I.

-          16% used a combination of two C.I.

-          Only 6% used a combination three C. I.

The BEST Example, you ask?

Full Sail Brewing Co., which claims a long history as a “Specialist in the liquid refreshment arts since 1987.”  They also post a Facebook Fan box with the first few images of their 4,265 fans as well as their twitter feed.  Their News & Awards section feeds onto the home page and is prominently listed as a tab.  And, they proudly display their Brewers Guild Association logo.  Friends, take note of how the big dogs achieve expert status & influence customers in the field of Liquid Arts!