Professional Notary Website Appearance - Why You Need A Website

Personally, I believe that first impressions are lasting impressions. As signing agents, many of our first impressions are made on the internet.

For instance, if someone wants to find out about you or your business, they use Google. As a notary business owner, you should have a professional online presence. What better way is there to advertise than through your own business website?

Most signing agents list their services on national notary directories. A search on Google using the key phrase "notary directory" will produce links to many of them. Unfortunately, most notary directories provide a limited amount of space in which to advertise your services, and very little creativity is permitted to develop your profile.

Also, when advertising on a notary directory, you are competing with every other signing agent listed in your area for a potential client's attention. While viewing your information, your potential client is only one click away from your competitor's listing. When potential clients find you on a notary directory, they should be able to click on a link that will lead them to your own professional website where they can learn more about you and how you do business.

A website done properly shows potential clients that you take your business seriously-that your business isn't a hobby, but a career, and that you are not a novice, but a seasoned professional. Your website should tell them that you are someone who can be counted on to get the job done!

For example, suppose you are searching online for a plumber and you find two listed in a plumber's directory. Each plumber's profile includes a short blurb about services offered, however one plumber's listing includes a link to a business website. Would you click on the website link to learn more about the person you are considering hiring? I think most of us would! After learning more about the plumber with the website, would you click back to the other plumber's short blurb in the plumber's directory? Most of us would not.

As a fellow signing agent, I am amazed at the number of notaries who don't have business websites. This is a very competitive field and there seems to be a misconception that the best way to beat out your competition is through lower prices--of course, this isn't true. People usually expect to pay premium fees for quality services.

-- Phyllis Traylor, U.S. Army Retired is a Contributing Writer with the American Association of Notaries