It's All About Trust

While the exact percentage is debatable, the overwhelming majority of visitors leave websites without buying anything. Why?

There are, of course, a variety of reasons why this happens - chief among them being price and people not being able to find what they were looking for. But it's been my experience, the main reason so many people exit websites without buying has to do with the trust factor. People just don't trust your website.

Following are some of things that cause a prospect not to trust your website:

1. Using a sub-domain instead of your own domain name

2. Load time

3. Annoying pop-up ads and banners

4. Overall website appearance

5. User-friendliness

6. Copy

7. Irrelevant content

8. Stale content

9. Blatant spelling and punctuation errors

10. Broken links

11. Privacy policy

12. Delivery system

13. Return policy and guarantee

14. Testimonials

15. Contact information

Having a professional, trustworthy website can make all the difference between making sales, and having traffic that doesn't convert. If your website isn't converting traffic into sales, one or more of the aforementioned trust factors may be holding you back.

Have someone you trust - preferably a competent marketing professional take a discerning look at your website to make sure your website isn't scaring buyers away.

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By the way, I'll be launching my new website later this fall. It's called Reviews-by-Customers.com. It will feature "verified" customer reviews of Adsense alternatives, copywriting, hosting, website design, printing, SEO services and more! Follow me on Twitter @CustomerReviews for further updates.

Capitalizing on Current Events Can Generate Huge Sales

The Skip Gates, Sgt. Crowley arrest debacle which has been dominating news headlines for the last week or so, will finally culminate with the principals sitting down and having a beer Thursday evening at the White House with President Obama. A company called Zazzle has actually created a product line based on President Obama's "stupidly" phrase.

Sales are reportedly through the roof.

And even though Michael Jackson's been dead for more than a month, the media still continues to give him unprecedented attention and airtime. Why? Ratings. Any news about Michael Jackson generates huge ratings, and the media is all about ratings. Because the bigger their audience, the more they can charge advertisers.

Speaking of bigger, Michael Jackson has proven to be bigger than both Elvis Presley and John Lennon, according to Guardian News and Media Ltd., which is reporting unprecedented worldwide demand for Jackson's music.

In addition, Michael Jackson websites are popping up all over the place, selling all kinds of Michael Jackson products - many illegally I'm sure.

Even USA Today, the nations top-selling newspaper has gotten in on the act, according to Entrepreneur magazine.

The bottom line is current events can generate huge sales. My question to you is this: Have you ever capitalized on a current event? If so, please explain.

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By the way, I'll be launching my new website later this fall. It's called Reviews-by-Customers.com. It will feature "verified" customer reviews of top online copywriting, hosting, website design, ISP, printing, SEO services and more! Follow me on Twitter @CustomerReviews for further updates.