When creating a website, one of the very first things you need to decide is what will you put in your About Us page. Should you present a more personal approach where you tell visitors who you are and how you started the business? Or should you present a more corporate facade that sounds so businesslike and professional, without revealing anything about yourself?
I don’t think there’s a right or wrong approach.
The more personal approach of presenting the life story of the business founder or a detailed description of how the business came about can be a great human interest story. More so if you really have an interesting story to tell, or your business has already achieved some sort of success. In fact, I’ve interviewed several folks and written about them both here at PowerHomeBiz.com and at WomenHomeBusiness.com because I was fascinated by their story in their About Us page. However, I’m turned off by those people who praise themselves to the highest heavens in their About Us page (e.g. “I did this, I did that, I am so great hear me roar”)
On the other hand, the more businesslike approach that tells the readers what the business is all about and what the business stands for can also be a good choice for some. While not presenting a single figure visitors can identify with (typically the founder), the prospective customers and readers get a feel for the business and what it represents. This approach is also good if you want to project a bigger image for your business hiding the fact that this is a one-person business (not that there’s anything wrong with that, but some find it easier to get more business if they project a bigger size).
The key to remember is that customers or visitors want to have an idea of who they are dealing with. Whether you write a brief entry or a kilometric story, your visitors want to know that they are dealing with real people who are not out to dupe or scam them. By sharing even a little of yourself and what the business is all about, you are able to bring in the needed trust from your visitors.