Wondering how to write an awesome startup About Us page? Never fear, help is here!
Did you know that the About Us page is the second most visited page on most websites? The Home page is no. 1. The content of your About Us page is really important in helping to build your credibility. People do business with those they know, like and trust. If a prospective buyer is looking for your product or service, and they land on your site, most often they want to know something about you and learn why they should trust you before they click the BUY icon.
Your startup About Us page should tell your story and build a relationship with your audience, but it must be written with the reader in mind. Most business owners are great at what they do, but it can be quite challenging to be able to look at the business from an outsider’s perspective. I like to tell my clients that the About Us page isn’t just about them, it’s about the partnership between them and their customers and what the business can offer the customer.
Who Are Your Customers?
Before you start writing, you need to have a clear idea of who your ideal customer is. It’s a good idea to set up one or more Ideal Customer Personas or Avatars, each of which describes a type of customer. The profile includes their needs, wants and likes, their demographics – age, sex, education, where they live, their job, their income levels, interests, hobbies, etc. It’s  a good idea to give each one a name and even use a stock photo on their profile so that you can really identify with this “person”. When you’re writing your marketing materials and website copy, you must keep this target person in mind and write to address their needs.
What makes your startup About Us page different from other About Us pages?
Writing a startup About Us page can be a little challenging and some people find themselves wondering where to start. Take out a note pad or open a blank document on your computer and start noting down points you may want to make. Think about your reader – What they will want to know about your business?
Consider telling people you’re new. Being new isn’t necessarily a disadvantage – it can be fresh and exciting. A lot of people are happy to deal with a small home-based business or a startup, as long as you prove you are a credible option.
One good thing about being a startup is, you can’t write a dull and boring company history as your About Us page! Nobody really wants to read those company history documents unless there’s information in there that is directly relevant to them. Try writing your About Us page as more of a story than a chronological list. This will make the page more interesting for your reader and therefore more likely to engage them, make them want to find out more about your company and then do business with you.
Tell Your Story
Introduce yourself as the owner of the business, tell people why you love what you do, why you’re passionate about your industry and how you came to be in the business you’re in. Be sure to detail your credentials and experience, including the most relevant information that will help people get to know, like and trust you. If you’re involved in any volunteer or charity work, include that if it’s relevant to your audience too.
Using a friendly and approachable tone is a good way to engage your reader. This doesn’t mean using too much slang, bad spelling or grammar, just writing the way you speak when you’re face-to-face.
Include A Photo
While some people don’t like having their photo taken, including a photo on your About Us page is really important for building the trust factor with prospective customers. A photo can also help to nurture relationships with those you may already do business with. Most people want to know exactly who is behind the business and what you look like. If possible, it’s a good idea to use a professional photographer to capture you in your best light. If you don’t want to use individual headshots, you could also use a group shot. Wearing your company colours and including a background of your building or vehicles can also look impressive, but isn’t essential.
Let Them Know What Makes You Different
Put an emphasis on your values, your mission and what you’ve set out to achieve. What innovations do you offer? Can you offer more flexibility in delivery, customisation or quality than your competitors?
What’s your USP (Unique Value Proposition)? What can you offer that others can’t?
Is there a gap in the market that your startup is filling? If so, tell the world about it!
Tell Them What You’ll Do For Them
People want you to solve their problems. What service do you offer? How do you solve your customer’s problem? Tell them exactly what you will do for them.
For example, let’s say you sell security products. What problem do you solve for your customers? Your product keeps them and their families safe (it’s not about the hardware itself, it’s about the outcome it achieves).
Or if you’re a hairdresser, you help your customers to look and feel their very best (you don’t simply cut hair).
Boost Your Credibility
You need to prove that you’re a credible option over and above your competition. If you’re brand new to business, consider giving some free or low-cost products or services to family and friends or potential customers in exchange for a testimonial or review. The social proof which comes with a third party endorsement cannot be overstated. People will buy based on positive reviews and testimonials. Post as many testimonials on your site as you possibly can (include a photo where possible) and ask your customers to post reviews on Google, Facebook or a third party site which is relevant to your industry.
Another great way to boost credibility is through the use of case studies, including before and after photos. This is basically a longer version of a testimonial, where you show the “before” photo and tell the reader what problem the customer was having. You then detail the process you went through to solve the problem, before showing the “after” photo which highlights the great outcome and results you’ve achieved. A brief comment from the happy customer further endorses your credibility.
I hope these tips have been helpful and will assist you in writing an awesome startup About Us page. If you have any hints or tips you’d like to share, please leave them in the comments box below. Or if you need any professional help with writing your About Us page, check out my website copywriting services and email me to discuss your requirements.
If you enjoyed this article, you may also like to read:
How to write an engaging About Us page and
How to write the best About Us page for your website
Hi, I’m Lyndall Guinery-Smith, The Professional Writer. I love to write copy dedicated to attracting and engaging your customers – and improving your bottom line. I happily work with clients all around Australia. Email me to arrange an obligation-free discussion about your latest project.
