Would FTC compliance actually HELP my conversions?
From what I can see almost no website owners are complying with the new FTC rules about income disclaimers, affiliate compensation declarations, or testimonial disclosures.
I visit many income opportunity websites as research for one of my sites and so far I have only found a couple that look like they are in compliance.
I am also on quite a few lists and I can only remember emails from two different sources that looked like they were attempting to comply.
When I saw the disclosers I was not repelled but I was actually impressed. Maybe a newbie to IM may not be impressed and would not want to buy something if another person was getting a commission.
I have to admit that I have only been half-hearted in trying to comply on my monetized websites and emails. I am re-thinking this and wonder if being more openly and accurately compliant would not actually build trust and confidence in potential buyers? I have seen some attempts to be compliant but at the same time hide or disguise it as much as possible but that just gives me the impression that the owner may be cleverly hiding other things. I don't think "in your face" compliance is necessary but why try to hide it all together?
What I also don't understand is some huge sites that have invested tons of time and money are not even attempting to be compliant. I think it is just a matter of time until more web owners and IMers start getting fined or shut down. I think they went into effect on December 1, 2009 so there has been ample time to make the adjustments.
It seems like there are many dozens of WSO's that have non-compliant testimonials and income claims. I suppose the poster would be in trouble and not WF but I can't say for sure. It does surprise me that so many experienced long-time IMers are not even attempting to comply with the new rules.
One last thought: I have not studied the new rules as carefully as I should but I plan to do that soon. From my overall understanding I like the new rules very much and I hope they are more proactively policed. I don't think those that are non-compliant always proves anything shady or sinister. I also don't think compliance proves a site is completely honest and should automatically be trusted. I do think the new rules if actually enforced could help less experienced Internet shoppers/customers, etc.
Sorry this got so long. I am probably missing or misunderstanding something in this whole issue. What I am most interested in is what others think about the question in my title.
I visit many income opportunity websites as research for one of my sites and so far I have only found a couple that look like they are in compliance.
I am also on quite a few lists and I can only remember emails from two different sources that looked like they were attempting to comply.
When I saw the disclosers I was not repelled but I was actually impressed. Maybe a newbie to IM may not be impressed and would not want to buy something if another person was getting a commission.
I have to admit that I have only been half-hearted in trying to comply on my monetized websites and emails. I am re-thinking this and wonder if being more openly and accurately compliant would not actually build trust and confidence in potential buyers? I have seen some attempts to be compliant but at the same time hide or disguise it as much as possible but that just gives me the impression that the owner may be cleverly hiding other things. I don't think "in your face" compliance is necessary but why try to hide it all together?
What I also don't understand is some huge sites that have invested tons of time and money are not even attempting to be compliant. I think it is just a matter of time until more web owners and IMers start getting fined or shut down. I think they went into effect on December 1, 2009 so there has been ample time to make the adjustments.
It seems like there are many dozens of WSO's that have non-compliant testimonials and income claims. I suppose the poster would be in trouble and not WF but I can't say for sure. It does surprise me that so many experienced long-time IMers are not even attempting to comply with the new rules.
One last thought: I have not studied the new rules as carefully as I should but I plan to do that soon. From my overall understanding I like the new rules very much and I hope they are more proactively policed. I don't think those that are non-compliant always proves anything shady or sinister. I also don't think compliance proves a site is completely honest and should automatically be trusted. I do think the new rules if actually enforced could help less experienced Internet shoppers/customers, etc.
Sorry this got so long. I am probably missing or misunderstanding something in this whole issue. What I am most interested in is what others think about the question in my title.