Are you going to be 'the person behind the website' or are you going to try and sell yourself?

This is a very important question that you need to ask yourself when trying to figure out how to setup your website. Are you going to be 'the person behind the website' or are you going to try and sell yourself? Face it, you are the only 'you' in the world and that is very important online. As the millions of new websites pop up competing to try and take your visitors and your customers, you have one distinct advantage: None of those other websites have YOU behind them. Sell that fact, promote that fact, push it every chance you possibly can. The more you put your name out there, the more popular you will become. If you don't ask yourself this question, I can assure you of one thing: Your visitors will ask themselves who you are. When a visitor comes to your site and sees your recommendations plastered all over the place, and your stories of how you've made your fortune online, they will want to know who you are. What is your name, and have I heard it mentioned whenever I hear about successful Internet marketers? Why should I believe what you are telling me on your website if I can't even find your name? When I do find your name where is the proof to back up what you are saying? You need to promote yourself just as diligently as you promote your website. Get your name plastered everywhere you possibly can. The more places you get mentioned, the more people will read your name and read about your successes. Then when they get to your website they will already have heard about you and will respect what you are telling them and be more receptive to what you are trying to sell them. How do you do this? First thing you need to do is put your name on your website. Create an About Us page telling your story and providing contact information. Write articles and get them published every place you can find. Articles are great credibility builders because they show everyone that you know what you are talking about. Get links from other sites to yours. A link from one website to another is a hidden endorsement. Your visitor will figure if your site is worthy enough to get a link it must be worth visiting.

One argument I've heard about trading links with other sites is that they are just going to put your link on a links page with 50 other websites on it.

Turn this around: Out of the millions of sites they COULD link to, your website made their top 50!

The more paths that lead to your site and the more places that your name can be found, the better your chances for success and for survival online.

So who are you going to be?

The person behind the website, or <your name goes here>.

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Chuck McCullough is the owner of http://AffiliateMatch.com offering FREE articles, tips, hints, and real-world advice on how to make money with your website. Visit his site or join his FREE newsletter, The AffiliateMatch Informer by sending a blank email to mailto:newsletter@affiliatematch.com.