The Almost Credible Web Raising the Barr Weekly Memo: Issue 163

This week’s refection point: The amount of fraud that takes place on the web is mindboggling. Here are a few examples: Receiving phishing emails from various financial institutions that look authentic and lure the recipient to click and enter their confidential information, only to find out that their identity has been compromised or stolen. Spam emails that promise amazing investment opportunities that guarantee your future wealth or the opposite, the ones looking to place their inheritance of millions with you! Soliciting donations through web sites that look credible and appear to be devoted to great causes such as curing disease or eradicating world hunger.

What puzzles me is that since such stories are commonly shared in the media, our blogs, or newsletters, and people’s awareness is on the increase, how is it that more and more are still falling prey to such devious attempts?

My answer is that they all seem credible and the web often creates a false sense of credibility and security.

Using the same analogy made me think about the credibility we convey through our own web sites, content and various other offerings.

Although I am sure you consider yourself honest, credible, authentic and value-driven, I would also suggest that the way you position yourself visually and contextually has a huge impact on the way you are being perceived and the credibility you present.

This Week’s Tip: Critically assess everything you put out on the web to convey the highest credibility, honesty and trust.