*Banner Exchange Programs* Banner exchange programs allow members to share advertising space on each other’s websites. They are a great way to generate traffic to your website, but you may not want to clutter your main site with ads. Portal websites provide a good place to test different programs and direct resulting traffic to your main site.

*Alternative Markets* Search engine spiders will pick up on content variations among your websites. Subtle differences could place a site in a category that you had not thought of and open up an entirely new base of visitors and/or customers.

*Product and Service Specialization* Your main website may have dozens of different products and services. This is great for your business, but generality can hurt your ranking in search engines. Using sub-domains to create sites that specialize in one product or service increases your keyword density and improves your ranking. Plus, many consumers would prefer to work with a specialized business than a one-stop shop. (You can still link to your main site with all of your products.)

Post a page that provides a thumbnail sketch that describes who you are. Be sure to include personal data as well as professional credentials. Place your photo on page so people can put a face with your name. Creating familiarity will impart another level of credibility for you and, by extension, for product you represent.

5. Emphasize Transaction Security Nearly everyone recognizes need to conduct secure exchanges of information via Internet. Most web site designers automatically build security features into parts of a web site where information is exchanged.

Unfortunately, most users of 'Net don't understand that these precautions are being taken on their behalf. Emphasize fact that transactions from your web site are secure. Place statements to this effect prominently in any location where personal information is requested. Letting your customers know that you recognize their security concerns will add credibility to your site.

6. Privacy Policies Most reputable web businesses have established privacy policies to protect information provided by their customers. Make certain your customers can access and read your privacy policy by placing links near any location where personal information is requested. Be sure policy clearly spells out if customers information will be shared with any other businesses.

A good resource for more information related to privacy policies may be found at: http://www.privacyalliance.org.

In order to maintain credibility these elements help to build it is necessary to deliver on assurances each element provides. Be sure to update policies and contact information regularly.

Follow through on all guarantees promptly and cheerfully. Review security procedures on a regular basis to be certain they are still adequate for task. With proper implementation and due diligence, each of these elements will establish and add to your online credibility.