You may have a polished, cool website. A strong, consistent client base, and an abundant social media following. However, certain hiccups can hinder your credibility. Especially on your website; your global business presence.
Credibility is a prized quality for any business, and organisations and companies go to great lengths to safeguard it. Certain slip-ups may not go unnoticed on your website, so attention to detail is vital.
Let’s look at some common mistakes on your website that could undermine your credibility.
Copyright Year
This one is seen on A LOT of websites because it is an easy mistake to make. When you jump on a website and see the copyright year in the footer is 2-3 years out of date, what do you think? Does this company still exist? Why have they been careless with something so easy to fix? Maybe they don’t pay attention to detail; in that case, are they reliable? Many thoughts such as these can cross the mind of a visitor to your website, seriously harming your credibility. Put an ongoing alert at the end of the year in your calendar to update your footer. Better still, create a dynamic footer date so it auto-updates each year!
Outdated Blog
Blogging and content marketing are brilliant ways of generating traffic to your website. The thing with blogs is that they require consistent blogging to keep your credibility in check. If your blog is outdated, it may contain incorrect or obsolete information. It can also appear you are out of touch with the latest news and trends in your industry and make your clients question your credibility and expertise—no bueno.
Reduced engagement will also be a ramification of an outdated blog; less interaction, shares, and comments could indicate that the business is no longer as interesting or relevant, pinching your credibility.
All of the above will also affect SEO—your digital credibility. Google and other search engines prioritise fresh and relevant content; any outdated blogs will limit your visibility and reduce the visibility of your business, limiting its potential reach.
Unfinished Content
Ever stumbled upon a webpage with just a lonely paragraph of text? The thought flickers through your brain—maybe the page hasn’t loaded. *clicks refresh*. It is very easy to launch a website without finished content; you want it live now. More often than not, you forget about those unfinished pages, leaving visitors with a less-than-impressed impression. Think about it: when you land on a website with incomplete pages, what does it say about the business behind it? Neglect, lack of attention to detail, or even an abandoned project. Not the vibe you want to be conveying to potential clients. So take the time to review your website for any unfinished content. A complete website will reflect much more positively on your credibility and professionalism.
Lack of transparency
Lack of transparency on a website can significantly affect business credibility with visitors and potential clients. When a website lacks transparency, it can create a sense of doubt and uncertainty in the minds of visitors. They may question the legitimacy of the business and hesitate to engage.
Potential followers and clients value transparency because it provides them with the necessary information to make informed decisions. When key information, such as pricing, terms and conditions, or contact details, is emitted from your website or is not easily accessible, it may be perceived that the business is untrustworthy or even suspicious. What are you hiding??
A lack of transparency can also affect the overall user experience on the website. When people struggle to find the information they need or feel misled by unclear or misleading content, they may become frustrated and choose to seek out other businesses that offer greater transparency.
So there we have it, maintaining website credibility is crucial for businesses. Avoiding common mistakes such as outdated copyright years, neglected blogs, unfinished content, and lack of transparency can help safeguard your credibility.
Slot in some time to review your website and check if you are being affected by any of these easy-to-make mistakes. By addressing these issues, you can enhance your credibility, attract potential clients, and provide a positive user experience!