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Link or don't link them?
I wouldn't link to those pages from all over the site and give them a huge chunk of the attention and PR, but there's value beyond just the links out in establishing reputation for yourself.
The only downside is that it's a visible show of a client list and there can be risk if there's anything to be found and any possible envious competitors decide to snitch. As long as they're clean and legitimate, there's no reason not to. All legitimate testimonials can do is help you.
Giving a link to those who give you their testimonial 'could' be construed by some individuals as a conflict of interest - just playing the devil's advocate here :)
Well, I'm just suggesting that some users that view the page may feel that in exchange for flattering comments, the website owner gave out a link.
The reason, however, is different from the above mentioned:
We have testimonials from small- to medium-sized businesses. Placing a link would be no problem, and one can most likely get a reciprocal link as well.
But we have also testimonials from big, multinational companies. In these cases, they usually have a PR and/or legal department, which very thoroughly looks at WHAT is published about them and WHERE. It's hard to get a testimonial at all from them. Getting the permission to use their logo along with it is even thougher. Getting the permission to make a deep-link to their website section which applies to our business is (for reasons partially understandeable) almost impossible.
So on a page with 6 testimonials I could have the 4 small businesses with links, and the 2 Fortune-100 ones without. What would be the impression a visitor has? Most likely he will think that the 4 small ones are "bought" testimonials and the 2 big ones are fakes.
For this reason, I decided NOT to place any links on that page.
Feedback from your side welcome.
Let's face it anyone can claim anything. Look at the mess that the present (UK) Labour Gov is in re. Iraq.
Rich
I don't know if you replied to my post or to someone else's. If the replay was adressed to my post, you probably missed one of the first lines where I stated that I give the full contact information of the testimonee, but just leave out the direct link.
I can see the copyright issues in using someone's logo on a website, but can someone point me to a thread or provide further information regarding the legal status of setting up a link - deeplink or otherwise using simple text, to another site where no permission has been asked?
I'll rephrase it. Full contact details, including URL's are IMHO essential! Without these details I and many other consider testimonials to be false, hype, nada...
HTH ;)
So as many full links as poss or you could be hyping me.
Rich
[edited by: richardb at 12:22 pm (utc) on July 22, 2003]
Giving a link to those who give you their testimonial 'could' be construed by some individuals as a conflict of interest
This is a little far fetched!
A conflict of interest - would be if you wrote a testimonial for a website that you had nothing to do with and attempted to take credit for this (from someone else) and then linked to the site - but didn't tell the site owner.
I asked him if he would allow me to reproduce the email as a testimonial, "of course, I'd be delighted! - ...make sure you add a link though ha ha ha!"
So I did - but when he started to get the world calling him about his website promotion, how much I charged, what I did etc etc, it drove him mad and asked me to take it off. :)
I always ask each customer's permission to link to their site. Of course I don't solicit the testimonials.
The testimonials are contained on one page linked from the index. Right now, I have 2 customer testimonials. One linking to a mp3.com musician page, and the other going to a small 1-person web design firm.
Any other thoughts?
richardb: You are serious about this? I mean even if the source is citet as "Mr. Firstname Lastname, Big company Ltd., Cool things department, Big company street 1, 1234 Nicetown"?
I seriously doubt Google or any other engine would impose a penalty for this as it is just part of some businesses that provide services!
It's also an issue of competitive advantage. Discretion is essential. I prefer to work from the shadows.
As far as seo work is concerned, I consider my client list hush-hush.
Ditto, even just naming them. I definitely wouldn't in any way link to them on the web.
Equally I think we need to protect our clients from people questioning them about their website promotions.
There needs to be a balance of showing how good we are without throwing our clients to the lions.
A conflict of interest - would be if you wrote a testimonial for a website that you had nothing to do with and attempted to take credit for this (from someone else) and then linked to the site - but didn't tell the site owner.
This is a little far fetched! :)
Did you add a link to your website to their page footer? Something like Designed by? :-)
When we get to link from people who we charge heavy t get their websites and web applications, and then do you not think that they deserve a link from your customers or testimonials page? I feel yes.
Nevertheless, it helps me get more business. Somebody on my website will be happier to see my clients live sites rather the jus screenshots or anonymous posts of testimonials like:
XYZ did a good job for me. Recommend this web design cmpany to everyone. James Hong
And No email no website no link. Who beleives this? Atleast I don't!
Kindly comment!
No email?
Agree email addresses is useless too...
Recommended items to display on testimonial page...
1. linked screenshot of website
2. company/website name
3. address - if applicable
4. telephone - if applicable
5. linked text to website
6. description of project work
7. actual testimonial from client
8. client name & title (very important since this will go a long way toward validating a testimonial ...what looks better a testimonial from "Eddie - Sales Director" or "Ed Jones - President" ...try to get your testimonial from the highest level of the organization)
