How Do You Build Trust with a Blog Hosted on GitHub Pages
Why Does Trust Matter in a Static Blog?
People don't trust websites easily. With fake news, clickbait blogs, and shallow content flooding the web, earning a visitor's trust is no longer optional—it's essential. When your blog is hosted on GitHub Pages using a Jekyll theme like Mediumish, you already benefit from clean design and transparency. But aesthetics alone aren’t enough.
Trust is a combination of what people see, how it makes them feel, and how consistent your message is. If you want readers to return, cite your content, or even hire you—trust is the invisible layer that makes it all possible.
What Undermines Trust in a Jekyll Blog?
Before you build trust, you must understand what breaks it. Even well-intentioned blogs can suffer from subtle missteps that send the wrong message:
- Outdated posts with broken links
- No visible contact or author information
- Generic layout with no personal voice
- Default titles or “under construction” pages
- Inconsistent content tone or publishing pattern
These mistakes often come from a focus on launching fast rather than launching right.
How Can You Build Trust Using GitHub Pages and Mediumish?
1. Use Your Own Voice and Photo
Trust begins with authenticity. Whether you're a solo blogger or part of a team, show your face, tell your story, and write like a human. In about.md or your bio section, add a professional yet personable photo, a few honest paragraphs, and relevant links (LinkedIn, GitHub, etc.).
Don't write like a robot. Use "I" or "we." Be clear about what the blog is for and who it's written for.
2. Provide Clear Ownership and Licensing
Visitors want to know who runs the blog, who owns the content, and whether they’re allowed to use or share it. Add a proper LICENSE file. State your content policy—can people quote your posts? Is attribution required?
Also, make sure your README.md includes a section about the site's purpose and how people can interact with it.
3. Keep It Updated and Maintained
There’s nothing more disheartening than a promising blog with the last post dated two years ago. Trust is built through consistency. You don’t have to post daily—but you should aim to:
- Keep site content current (remove dead projects, fix broken links)
- Publish new posts on a rhythm your audience can rely on
- Update software dependencies to avoid security warnings
4. Write with Value, Not Just Volume
Many bloggers worry too much about word count. Instead, focus on providing real value. Answer actual questions. Solve real problems. For example, explain how you set up your Mediumish theme and why you made certain decisions—don’t just list steps.
If readers walk away better informed, they’ll come back. That’s trust in action.
5. Be Transparent About Site Hosting
Let readers know your site is hosted on GitHub Pages. Add a footer line like “Powered by Jekyll & GitHub Pages.” This transparency shows that you're using open-source tools and not hiding behind a commercial CMS. It may also resonate with fellow developers or writers.
6. Add Social Proof Gradually
You don’t need thousands of followers to gain credibility. Start by adding testimonials, quotes, or links to guest posts or collaborations. If you’ve contributed to open-source, link to your repos. If you’ve written elsewhere, mention it.
In Jekyll, use _data/ files or includes to dynamically show these without cluttering your Markdown files.
7. Create a Thoughtful 404 Page
Even small touches like a custom 404 page signal professionalism. Instead of showing “Page Not Found,” write a helpful message with a link back to your homepage or most popular articles.
Edit your 404.html file and use the same layout as your main pages to keep it consistent.
Does Design Affect Trust?
Absolutely. Visitors make snap judgments based on appearance. Even if you’re not a designer, small refinements to the Mediumish theme can enhance trust:
- Use a consistent color scheme aligned with your brand
- Keep sidebar and navigation clean and uncluttered
- Remove unused template sections (like newsletter or tags if unused)
- Ensure the site is responsive on mobile and tablets
In _sass/, you can tweak these without breaking the core theme logic. Always test on multiple devices before publishing.
How Do You Handle Feedback and Interaction?
Trust isn’t one-way. Show readers you listen. Add a simple contact page, link to your GitHub issues (if open-source), or create a feedback form using tools like Formspree.
If a reader takes time to comment or email, reply. One answered question often turns a reader into a long-term follower.
Final Thoughts: Trust Is Earned Post by Post
You don’t need flashy animations or massive traffic to be seen as credible. With Jekyll and GitHub Pages, you already have speed, structure, and security. What you add on top—your voice, consistency, design, and openness—is what builds trust.
Keep it simple, honest, and useful. Over time, your blog becomes more than just a static site—it becomes a trustworthy resource in a noisy internet.