Having a Web Presence With Personality

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As a business person, you must have a web presence that attracts other people to your business offerings and to your branding. If they aren’t attracted, they won’t go further to find out anything about you and you won’t succeed.

The first statement that you need to make (whether it is verbal or nonverbal) is that you are human, just like your prospective clients, and that you relate to them on a human level. It is a well-established fact that business success is all about building and maintaining relationships. If people can’t relate to you on a human level, there will be no relationship between you. One of the main attributes that will make you stand out among all of your competitors is that you care about your prospects’ wants and needs and that you consider it your responsibility to solve their problems.

The challenge of adding personality to your web presence

It doesn’t actually take a great deal of effort to add personality to your web presence. Your personality must come through in order for people to connect with you, on any level. You need to give others the opportunity to get to know you. If they don’t know you, there will be nothing driving them to choose you over someone else when it comes time to buying what you are selling. When you try to connect with people, you need to try to get them to give you some information that will establish the relationship between you. That has to work both ways. You must also give them something to relate to from you.

At times, it is difficult to come up with the perfect icebreaker to get the ball rolling. If your business is small, it will probably be easier than if you have a large company. However, it is certainly not impossible. A great way to break the ice is to get the other person to smile or laugh. You can use humor or perhaps, a heartfelt story that showcases your sensitivity as a person and as an organization. You can also break the ice through creative and interesting content that you share with other people.

Whatever you choose to share, make sure that it is unique and interesting. Others will remember your personality and will want to hear more about what you are doing. People are very interested to know that you are very good at what you do but at the same time, they also want to feel comfortable about doing business with you. Expressing to others that you are passionate about what you do and that you genuinely care about other people and want to give them what they need will be a tremendous attraction when it comes to deciding about whether or not to buy what you are selling. Your strong, positive feelings about what you are offering must come through in your communications with your visitors. Remember that if you can convince them to buy your products and/or services, you will be opening a door to many more selling opportunities.

The effect of having a personality in your web presence

When people are researching you and your business, they tend to find out about you and your company and what you stand for before they look into your products and/or services. A big mistake that many business owners make is that they don’t make the “About Us” page different than their products’ page. The “About Us” section must really grab the visitor and make them want to delve more deeply into what the person and his/her business is all about.

It is very important for you to share important aspects of who you are with your visitors. Adding personality to what you share with your visitors does not have a great deal of risk involved but the payoff may be huge. It will immediately make you stand out from your competition. In your “About Us” section, you should have information that is above and beyond your products and/or services. If you don’t feel comfortable about sharing personal information, you need to come up with other pieces of information that will draw them to you, such as your expressing your happiness when your customers are excited about what they have bought from you. Another good enticement is if you describe your level of service to your customers.

Conclusion

Personality in your web presence should be the equivalent of personality in your bricks and mortar store, if you had one of those. In other words, the second a client (or potential client) connects with you, they need to have a positive reaction to what you are telling them. If that doesn’t happen, they won’t stay. You need to entice them enough to really want to stay.

We are pleased to provide you with the insightful comments contained herein. Please contact us at CompuKol Communications for further discussion on how we might be able to assist you and your team and don’t forget to “like” our Facebook page.

Author

  • Michael Cohn

    Michael Cohn is the founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of CompuKol Communications. He has decades of experience in IT and web technologies. Michael founded CompuKol Communications to help small businesses and entrepreneurs increase their visibility and reputation. CompuKol consults, creates, and implements communication strategies for small businesses to monopolize their markets with a unique business voice, vision, and visibility. Mr. Cohn earned a Master’s degree in project management from George Washington University in Washington, DC; and a Master’s degree in computer science and a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, NJ.

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25 Responses

  1. G.W. WISENBURG says:

     

    Via LinkedIn Groups

    Group: NY Entrepreneurs Business Network (NYEBN)
    Discussion: Having a Web Presence With Personality

    What do you think is the most important,Content on first page?
    Posted by G.W. WISENBURG

  2. Walter Daniels says:

     

    Via LinkedIn Groups

    Group: Small Business Online Community
    Discussion: Having a Web Presence With Personality

    I like how you put things. Your intro, and "about us," sections must reflect who, and what you are. No two people, even identical twins, are exactly alike. Your site should reflect what makes you/your business unique. If all you seem to offer are cookie cutter solutions that could come from any of a Hundred others, your odds of getting that business are 1%.
    Posted by Walter Daniels

  3. Julie Maxwell Allen says:

     

    Via LinkedIn Groups

    Group: Linked Business
    Discussion: Having a Web Presence With Personality

    And a Facebook fan page does not replace a website
    Posted by Julie Maxwell Allen

  4. Carolyn Permentier says:

     

    Via LinkedIn Groups

    Group: Marketing Communication
    Discussion: Having a Web Presence With Personality

    What a nice name … my site is 're-done' to better reflect my personality. I'm
    upbeat and positive. I love to inspire my clients' prospects to action, instead of
    using hype or other forms or negative persuasion.

    Thanks,

    Carolyn

     

    Posted by Carolyn Permentier

  5. Franklin Parrish says:

     

    Via LinkedIn Groups

    Group: Social Media Plus
    Discussion: Having a Web Presence With Personality

    I would agree with that to a point. You must ensure that you first establish credibility with your audience. Make sure that you/your products/your services meet or exceed their requirements, then give all of it style. I feel that our site accomplishes that through the design of our site and add more personality and flavor in other, less formal channels, like our blog and Facebook presence.
    Posted by Franklin Parrish

  6. Scott Pinzon says:

     

    Via LinkedIn Groups

    Group: Books and Writers
    Discussion: Having a Web Presence With Personality

    I found your article thought-provoking. I agree that business websites should have personality. However, you say, "The first statement that you need to make (whether it is verbal or nonverbal) is that you are human." I reason differently. I'd say the first quality your site needs to convey is your competence and expertise. THEN you show you are relatable and a good person. My logic: no one does a Google search for a human. But they do search for the answer to their problem.
    Posted by Scott Pinzon

  7. Pamela Hongsakul says:

     

    Via LinkedIn Groups

    Group: Media Professionals Worldwide
    Discussion: Having a Web Presence With Personality

    The personality of a website jumps out at me if the person is authentic, and providing value to the viewer. In the same way, when you read postings in social media, the rants and expert advice are at opposite ends of the value scale. It is when the expert advice is unique that I eventually click! on the writer's site – and so the loop is closed. A> expert advice, click! B> website, good content and valuable information, click! C> I contact the person.
    Posted by Pamela Hongsakul

  8. Sandra McLeod Humphrey says:

    Thanks for a great article and much food for thought!

  9. Michael Meulstee says:

     

    Via LinkedIn Groups

    Group: Social Media Plus
    Discussion: Having a Web Presence With Personality

    I couldn't agree more. I also think a consistent brand be it a logo, a set of colors or a type face or a combination of all of those is crucial. It took me about a year an a half of searching and trying, but I have finally found a nice identity for myself, and i think it really screams personality at the same time.
    Posted by Michael Meulstee

  10. Judy Cullins says:

     

    Via LinkedIn Groups

    Group: Social Media For The Clueless
    Discussion: Having a Web Presence With Personality

    Carolyn, Thanks for the reminder. I'm just putting the finishing touches on my branding story for my bookcoaching writing and marketing serviices. I'm add it to my About Judy page at my site. Where will it fit best? Beginning or end?
    Posted by Judy Cullins

  11. Christine Loff says:

     

    Via LinkedIn Groups

    Group: Business Writers of America
    Discussion: Having a Web Presence With Personality

    I'd even go so far as to say, if they don't connect with your message in the first 20 seconds, they're gone! The best way to engage web visitors attention is to address their worst problem right from the start.
    Posted by Christine Loff

  12. Margaret Chula says:

     

    Via LinkedIn Groups

    Group: AssociationofWriters.com
    Discussion: Having a Web Presence With Personality

    It's also important to keep the Home page uncluttered—and to make changes occasionally. I have a haiku column which I change each season.
     
    Posted by Margaret Chula

  13. Judith Lee says:

     

    Via LinkedIn Groups

    Group: Business Writers of America
    Discussion: Having a Web Presence With Personality

    Yes, Christine, you need to address their pain! I have another thought that writers might not like that much: You need great photos & graphics. Invest in awesome photos of your people. We live in a visual culture.
    Posted by Judith Lee

  14. Karin Bilich says:

     

    Via LinkedIn Groups

    Group: Books and Writers
    Discussion: Having a Web Presence With Personality

    I'll chime in somewhere in the middle here. I think that what you should be conveying in your web presence depends on what you're selling. If you're an accountant, no one cares about personality. But if you're a comedian, then it's everything. Same thing with authors — if you're writing a book about disease, you need to convey an expertise; a book about the humorous side of marriage, and personality is everything.
    Posted by Karin Bilich

  15. Betsy A. Riley says:

     

    Via LinkedIn Groups

    Group: Writing Mafia
    Discussion: Having a Web Presence With Personality

    The article is good, but ironically, the website itself doesn't seem to me to have much personality. It is very business-like and traditional.
    Betsy A. Riley

    Posted by Betsy A. Riley

  16. Christine Loff says:

     

    Via LinkedIn Groups

    Group: Business Writers of America
    Discussion: Having a Web Presence With Personality

    I don't think writers have any problem with pictures. Since I wear both a graphic designer and a writer hat, I usually try to integrate words and pictures so they support each other. But you don't want your pictures to be "band-width hogs" — slow the download so people get impatient and leave!
    Posted by Christine Loff

  17. John Vias says:

     

    Via LinkedIn Groups

    Group: Freelance Editing Network
    Discussion: Having a Web Presence With Personality

    Good reminder about appearing human even in a digital medium. Thanks for posting.
    Posted by John Vias

  18. Sophia says:

    Thanks for this great article. As I just start working in this field I wonder if you might know a very good example of a website with a great personality.

  19. Chris Rinere says:

     

    Via LinkedIn Groups

    Group: Linked Business
    Discussion: Having a Web Presence With Personality

    I couldn't agree more with this. A social presence is huge but giving it a personality and your own touch makes it more appealing to those out there.
    Posted by Chris Rinere

  20. Lilacs N Dreams says:

     

    Via LinkedIn Groups

    Group: Linked Business
    Discussion: Having a Web Presence With Personality

    I agree with the personality part. When someone comes to visit with you, and they can feel comfortable, and "almost" like they know you, can relate to you, understand what you say and share….they will keep coming back to you:)
    Posted by Lilacs N Dreams

  21. Lilacs N Dreams says:

     

    Via LinkedIn Groups

    Group: Linked Business
    Discussion: Having a Web Presence With Personality

    I also agree that the facebook fan page does not replace a website. Facebook you share, people can comment and share, but it is only that one page that is continuously added to….and that your friends and Likes see. Just a different feel, and there is only so much you can do on facebook
    Posted by Lilacs N Dreams

  22. Jim Amick says:

     

    Via LinkedIn Groups

    Group: Linked Business
    Discussion: Having a Web Presence With Personality

    I agree. A website for your business is kind of like a ride in the elevator with your clients. You have a very limited time to peak their interest with your design that clearly communicates your message and the value of what you have to offer or they'll just hop off at the next floor!
    Posted by Jim Amick

  23. Claire Sandbrook says:

     

    Via LinkedIn Groups

    Group: Linked Business
    Discussion: Having a Web Presence With Personality

    Loved this – and I think its vital that you set out your stall just as you would on the High Street – look what Mary Portas is doing for retailers – wonderful stuff! The same applies to look and feel of your online shop – it has to entice people in and make them want to buy!
    Posted by Claire Sandbrook

  24. Lynn Glantz says:

     

    Via LinkedIn Groups

    Group: NY/NJ Women & Minority Business Owners and Entrepreneurs
    Discussion: Having a Web Presence With Personality

    I totally agree. the more interactive your website is the more intrigued customers will be. since it is very expensive to make this kind of website we usually have a mall where they can shop and then they have to call us for pricing.
    Posted by Lynn Glantz