Online Buiness Reputation Catch22

8 replies
I've been wondering how I can start a website and do business in a sector that requires a proven reputation. For example, if someone starts a website teaching SEO, how can this new online business convince its new potential customers that they are in a position to teach SEO when the website is brand new and it doesn't have any major rankings or search engine exposure yet.

Basically its like a catch22 because you need customers to keep your business afloat to help you earn your reputation as an authority in the industry but in order to get the customers you need to already have that reputation.

I know some would say you need to act like an authority and maybe insinuate a reputation, however, in some industries beyond SEO and Marketing, this is not possible because you need to prove your reputation. So what chance does any new website have with such an uphill battle at the very start?

What do warriors suggest?
Any advice on this tough issue would be much appreciated.
#buiness #catch22 #online #reputation
  • Profile picture of the author Ryan David
    1) Do you have your own websites that you can show customers?

    2) Do the work for low/no cost in order to build up your porfolio.
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  • Profile picture of the author Geeked Labs
    You should always prove yourself first. Why would I want to do business with you if you aren't highly ranked yet. That is the main objection you will run into I think.
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    • Profile picture of the author sitehero
      Originally Posted by Josh Jagger View Post

      You should always prove yourself first. Why would I want to do business with you if you aren't highly ranked yet. That is the main objection you will run into I think.

      Yes so it unwise to start touting for business until your website has gained its SEO reputation but this is just one market. I know I used it as an example but tbh its not the best example of what I trying to work out.

      There are plenty of other markets that someone needs reputation in that market in order to do business but reputation can only be achieved with the customers. This is the catch 22 I'm on about for online entrepreneurs.

      How would somebody tackle massive this problem?


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      • Profile picture of the author IMNomad
        I was trained as a life-coach, and enjoyed offering that service. However, when I was released into the wild, ready to find new clients, I faced the same question you are posing.

        I can tell you from direct experience that the easiest way to enter any field that you have a passion for, is to give away your services in the beginning. Offer, and teach it on your dime. People will gladly join. Just make it clear that you will be offering valuable services, and in return you ask that they provide testimonials, and such.

        It is a win-win. You get to practice your craft, they get help/education in a new area, and you have the testimonials to prove you can do it.

        Good luck!
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        • Profile picture of the author Mary Wilhite
          Originally Posted by IMNomad View Post

          I can tell you from direct experience that the easiest way to enter any field that you have a passion for, is to give away your services in the beginning. Offer, and teach it on your dime. People will gladly join. Just make it clear that you will be offering valuable services, and in return you ask that they provide testimonials, and such.
          Nice one there nomad.

          @Sitehero,

          If you are into SEO, then buy an aged domain (that will cost you more than a new one but will rank faster).

          Then put your contents, offer, etc.

          Do backlinking (bookmarking, article marketing, Press Release, ETC)
          Wait for site to show up in the serps.

          This way you'll have proof.
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          • Profile picture of the author sitehero
            Originally Posted by IMNomad View Post

            I was trained as a life-coach, and enjoyed offering that service. However, when I was released into the wild, ready to find new clients, I faced the same question you are posing.

            I can tell you from direct experience that the easiest way to enter any field that you have a passion for, is to give away your services in the beginning. Offer, and teach it on your dime. People will gladly join. Just make it clear that you will be offering valuable services, and in return you ask that they provide testimonials, and such.

            It is a win-win. You get to practice your craft, they get help/education in a new area, and you have the testimonials to prove you can do it.

            Good luck!
            Sound advice my friend. I guess another solution would be to have a ton of excellent original content that the reader will read and have no doubt your an authority. But in a sense this is just the same principle because your providing valuable information for free so this should give potential customers confidence to buy.

            Originally Posted by Mary Wilhite View Post

            Nice one there nomad.

            @Sitehero,

            If you are into SEO, then buy an aged domain (that will cost you more than a new one but will rank faster).

            Then put your contents, offer, etc.

            Do backlinking (bookmarking, article marketing, Press Release, ETC)
            Wait for site to show up in the serps.

            This way you'll have proof.
            Hi Mary,
            No, the SEO industry was just an example I thought most people could easily relate to. If this was the industry I was hoping to start in, I would do exactly what you said because SEO customers definitely want to see service providers practice what they preach.

            The area I'm looking to go into is the Domain industry which is just as competitive as the SEO industry and customers definitely want to see a good reputation if your offering acquisition and broker services.
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  • Profile picture of the author jcandoit
    Everybody has to start somewhere, even the biggest companies with the great reputations started small and built on their reputations and achievements. As suggested earlier, you may have to work for free for a while if you cannot get any paying customers, So that when you achieve results for your new customers they can give you testimonials which will give you social proof of your abilities. Worked for me !
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  • Profile picture of the author David Keith
    start by doing 1 thing today that will help build your reputation in your industry. then tomorrow do 1 more thing, 2 things if you have time. they dont have to be huge things, but they do have to show that you are indeed qualified and deserve to have a strong positive reputation.

    reputations are built over time.

    there are no real shortcuts to building a reputation.

    reputations are not given out, they are earned.
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