The Web Credibility Project: Guidelines – Stanford University

Here are the researched and documented guidelines on how to make your site credible.

We have a saying at The Next Wave: Create Lust•Evoke Trust- in other words: have something people want, and make them trust you- it’s marketing in a tagline.

The most important part of staying at the top of search is to update your site often- which is one reason WordPress makes so much sense.

How to Build a High-Traffic Web Site (or Blog)

The reason you have a site is to get your message to other people – preferably customers. The blogosopher seminar is all about getting traffic to your site- using the easiest possible way (a WordPress blog) – and working your web stats to make sure you have content that works.

Steve Pavlina has a very well written set of suggestions on how to build your content- and make no mistake- content is king. Useful, helpful, informative content can do a lot to drive traffic to your site- and while he has general tips- here are a few important ones that I think will help:

Think about the questions you get every day from your customers- and write the answers on your blog. If you are the expert in your field, you got that way by answering questions- so do that on your site. In today’s seminar I had two physicians- both of them looking for ways to build their practices. Every day the local paper has at least one health related story- and if it fits your specialty- someone will be reading it- and looking for answers on the web. Write your opinion on the story- and make sure you mention the name of the local paper- and the writer of the story in your post. This will help you localize your blog- and capitalize on the visibility of another media outlet- same goes for segments on local TV news- if it relates to your practice- write about it as soon as possible.

Another client in the seminar was a sign company. They often deal with start-up businesses that need a sign. A good way to have customers find you would be to write about your experiences with local building codes and permits and how to cut through the red tape- people will find you. Another subject would be all the permits you need to open a new business in your jurisdiction- to help the new businessperson find the answers they are looking for- and establish a relationship with your sign company.

It’s this kind of content that can help you get in front of your customers before the competition does.

Leave It Behind > Brian Bailey: Building a Better Blog

As I keep telling students in my Blogosopher seminar- the answers are out there- you just have to look for them.

Here are easy ways to get more hits for your blog- and how to build posts- and a great tip about clicking on your links after you make them (so the linked site can see your hits in their stats).

There are some really good blogs on how to blog- I’m working on making this site one of them. While I only offer the seminar in Dayton right now- I hope to soon take it out as a road show- to other locations. I’d especially like to start making presentations to Ad Clubs around the country.