How NOT To Gain Trust Through Your Web Site

I came across an interesting web design company web site this morning. I won't give the name or url, but this company has a web site that raises all kinds of red flags, were I looking for a web development company. The home page is attractive, albeit not designed for search engine optimization. There is not a lot of information on the home page so I clicked on a link at the bottom of the page that was entitled "CMS Web Design". That page however, is a form, asking for your name and email. In return you get free information about the "secrets" of web site design. OK, not what I wanted to know, so I go back to the home page and click on the "Professional Web Design" link. And, guess what? It takes you to the same form. I go back to the home page and click on all the links at the bottom. They all go to the same form. Whoa! This is a huge problem. This company has given very little information about itself but asks that you provide them with a name and email address? Not to mention the fact that the home page was obviously designed to trick search engines into listing it higher.

The point is, you have to give information to your web site visitors and potential customers that will make you seem real to them. Be honest. Do not "hard sell" or demand contact information. Trust is something that should be built upon from the first.