What Businesses Need to Know About Reputation Management

Now more than ever, reputation management has become a top priority for businesses of all kinds, and for good reason: simply put, what people say about your business online is more important than anything else. Is the above statement an exaggeration? Well, let’s think about it for a minute: no matter which types of marketing techniques you employ – e.g., SEO, pay-per-click, social media, radio advertising, direct mail, etc. – they will more than likely prompt your target customer to do some further research online to learn more about your products or services. If this potential prospect encounters a barrage of negative reviews about your company from other users, they’ll probably end their search right there and look elsewhere for what they need. An unfavorable online reputation is essentially a customer repellent, which is why businesses must seriously consider making reputation management their number-one priority. So how exactly does reputation management work, and how can it benefit your business? Read on to find out.

Managing Your Reputation in Search Engine Results

When you consider the fact that 93% of all online experiences begin with an Internet search, it only makes sense to ensure that your business is being properly represented in the search engine results pages. Like it or not, first impressions are often a make-or-break factor when people search for your company on Google. If the first page of the search results contains negative reviews, inaccurate information, or other unfavorable data about your company, it’s going to present your brand in an unflattering light, and this can drive away potential customers. A skilled reputation management firm knows how to employ the right techniques to present your company in a more balanced light so that only the most accurate, positive and relevant content about your brand will occupy those top spots in the search results.

Managing Your Reputation on Social Media

With so many other responsibilities to take care of on a daily basis, it’s easy to neglect your brand’s social media accounts. This can, unfortunately, lead to missed opportunities in terms of customer engagement, and in many people’s minds, it conveys a lack of credibility and/or professionalism. A seasoned reputation management firm knows how to keep your social media accounts updated, enabling your brand to interact with fans and followers in a meaningful way while also saving you precious time.

Managing Your Responses to Online Reviews

Online reviews are perhaps the most influential representation of your business online, yet they’re also the one over which you have the least amount of control! With the proliferation of online review sites in recent years such as Yelp, Epinions, Foursquare, TripAdvisor, etc., it’s almost scary to think how much damage a handful of unsatisfied customers can do to a company’s image. A skilled reputation management firm knows how to seek out and judiciously respond to negative reviews or comments about your company so that you can resolve any disputes or issues in a manner that faithfully represents your brand. By tactfully and professionally handling critical reviews, you will further reinforce your credibility to your fans and followers, and hopefully, win back the trust of a disgruntled customer.

In the world of business, there are few things more powerful than a stellar reputation. In light of all the hard work you’ve invested into your business, it only makes sense to employ reputation management as a sensible safeguard to help you better serve your customers while maintaining the integrity of your brand.