10-Step Checklist to Instantly Improve Website Credibility

Visitors, traffic, comments ,and shares. Four things any successful website needs and every blogger craves.Yet, to earn any of the above, you need to improve credibility. Once you do, you increase the chance your visitors stick around, take action, and return for more.A credible website builds authority, trust, and influence, whether you ask them to connect, interact or buy.In a sea of competition, how can you convince customers you're the right choice?Below are ten tips to instantly improve website credibility and skyrocket your blogger authority!

How to Instantly Improve Website Credibility

1. Fresh Website Content

When was the last time you reviewed the pages within your site? If your answer is “when the site was created,” then now is the time to update.

Website Content Checklist

• Go through each page and freshen up any outdated or redundant content.
• Check for misspellings or inaccuracies. Both can be a quick credibility killer.
• Add testimonials and include any case studies supporting the success of your product or service.
• Keep your page content straightforward, clear, and concise. There’s no reason to belabor a point or drone on for 500 words when 200 does the trick.
• Review copy on all landing pages.

2. Declutter Your Sidebar

Many newbie bloggers get caught up in the bells and whistles of WordPress plugins. Before long, the sidebar is a who’s-who of old and useless plugins.Not only do they create confusion, but plugins can also reduce your load time, and be a real drag on your website traffic.Subtract the unnecessary items from your sidebar and only leave what makes sense based on your website goals. If conversions are it, then know what content your readers seek and provide that and that alone.Jennifer Bourn of Bourn Creative, a web and graphic design company, recommends,

“For business websites and conversion based websites, a single sidebar is highly recommended to keep the focus on converting visitors into clients, customers, and subscribers — and getting them to hire you, buy from you, and learn from you.”

3. Keep Your Contact Information Current

Don’t make your website visitors hunt and peck to find you. Keep your contact information up to date and easy to find.

To do list:

• “Contact” should be in your main menu navigation, and an easy-to-use contact form should be found on that page. Putting roadblocks up will only keep people from connecting with you. Make it as easy as possible to ask a question or schedule an appointment.
• If you’re a local business, and phone calls are crucial to your business' success, make sure your phone number is prominently placed in both the header and footer of your website.
• And don’t forget your social networks. Add each of your social channels to an easy-to-find location on your website.

4. Make it Easy to Navigate and Search

Take a look at your website from a user's perspective. Is your website easy to navigate? Can you locate the content you’re looking for?Steer clear of complications and enable anyone visiting your website to follow a clear path to any and all information they seek.If not, you risk the consequences. In a study by Forrester Research, it was found that,

“approximately 50 percent of potential website sales are lost because users can't find information.”

5. Be Clear in Your Call to Action

What next step do you want your visitors to take? Don’t leave it to chance.Be clear in the step you’re asking them to take, and empower your readers to take action.Remember:

Confused minds don’t buy.

Simple, relevant, and straightforward sells.

6. Express Yourself With a Detailed “About Page”

Your “About” page is one of the first pages readers and potential clients will visit. Express who you are with a detailed description of your background, skills, unique abilities, and reasons why anyone would choose to work with you.People do business with people. Don’t be afraid to show them who you are and provide the information they need to make an educated decision.Peep Laja of ConversionXL puts it this way,

”People don’t trust anonymous websites. If you don’t show your photo, are you hiding something? Is it that you don’t want people to recognize you on the street? People want to look you in the eye, enable it. Always use photos of the actual staff.”

7. Post to Your Blog Consistently

If you want readers to continue coming back for more, you need to give them a reason. Not posting consistently tells a story you don’t want told -- that you don’t keep up with your commitments.Inconsistency destroys credibility, and can also dissuade even the most avid fan from coming back.Creating a schedule and posting consistent, quality content will lend credibility to your blog. Determine how many posts you can commit to, and then pick the day(s) you will post.Train your readers when to expect fresh content so they become accustomed to seeking it out.

8. Provide Valuable Information and Resources

Gone are the days of static websites. Once yours is up and running, it’s your job to continue to be a valuable resource to your readers.Share stories, provide tips, and answer reader questions. Listen to what they say in the comments, and write about their latest concerns or struggles.Building trust happens when you give up your knowledge and years of experience. Don’t be afraid to share your unique insight thoughtfully and constructively. This goes a long way in building credibility and establishing you as their go-to (and trusted) resource.

9. Consistent Branding WINS

Have you created a consistent look, feel, message, tone, and voice on your website?

If not, take a moment to ensure:

• You are strengthening your business or brand mission, vision, and values in every way possible
• Every page, post, and image on your website has a clear call to action
• You’ve eliminated distractions and allowed a crisp and clean user experience
• Your languaging is natural and aligns with your style
• The design of your website, including color, scheme and fonts, is consistent across all your social networks
• Your images are professional and used legally within copyright laws

10. Professional Website Design and Theme

Everything from your website theme, design, structure, and content tells your business story. What story is yours telling?If it screams old, outdated, and obsolete, it’s time to clean house and make a change.And when you do, make sure it’s responsive. According to MarginMedia,

“48% of users say if they arrive on a business site that isn't working well on mobile, they take it as an indication of the business simply not caring.

Your Turn!

How are you building website credibility and blogger authority? What one tip can you offer that I might have missed above?I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!