What is online reputation, and why does it matter to your business?
A good online reputation is one crucial component of attracting customers and building brand loyalty. When your company has a strong online reputation, you’ll create higher levels of trust and ultimately increase profits over time.
But building an online reputation—or changing a bad reputation—can feel overwhelming to many business owners. With all the various review sites and social media platforms out there, maintaining a good reputation can be a full-time job.
Luckily, an online reputation management (ORM) system or digital reputation management software can help your company create and maintain a positive online reputation with ease. Learn more about the benefits of online reputation management below.
The Benefits of a Good Reputation
The benefits of a good reputation many seem obvious, but here are a few of the benefits you may not have considered.
- Trust. Customers look for brands they can trust, and they’ll trust your company more if you have a good online reputation.
- Word-of-mouth marketing. An online reputation is today’s form of word-of-mouth market. It’s an affordable, effective way to spread the word about your business to new customers.
- Profitability. The better your online reputation, the more customers you’ll attract, and the more your company will profit.
- Improved product. When you know what your customers are saying about you online, you’ll also find out what needs to be improved about your product. You’ll be able to create a better product that gets better reviews over time.
What Is Reputation Monitoring?
Reputation monitoring is when a business keeps a pulse on what customers are saying about them online. Monitoring may also involve asking for and responding to reviews to create a better online reputation.
Why Is ORM Important?
ORM is a key part of controlling an online reputation and fostering good relationships with customers. By managing an online reputation, companies can find out what customers are saying about them and take action to improve their reputation. Instead of passively sitting back and letting customers create the online reputation, the business can actively engage and influence their reputation for the better.
How Does Reputation Management Work?
Reputation management is about much more than just sitting back and watching reviews roll in. The most effective reputation management takes a well-executed strategy. Here are four steps to start incorporating reputation management in your company:
1. Research Your Reputation
Google your company and see which results come up on the first page. Are they positive? Negative? Where does the content come from?
2. Fix Negative Content
Tackle negative reviews by requesting the content be taken down, and/or responding to the review with an offer to resolve the issue. Customers you’re able to help just may be willing to write a more positive follow-up review.
3. Build Positive Content
Not all negative content can be deleted, but you can flood it out with positive content. Start a blog on your website and create a marketing campaign focused on getting customer reviews. Incorporate popular keywords related to your product.
4. Continue Monitoring
Keep monitoring your reputation by setting up Google alerts for your company name and responding to all new reviews. The sooner you know what people are saying about you, the sooner you can handle damaging reviews—and build brand loyalty by responding to positive reviews.
What Is the Need For Online Reputation Management?
Online reputation management is necessary because it builds the credibility of a business and increases sales. Companies can improve their product and their relationship with customers once they know what is being said about them online.
How Do I Clean Up My Online Reputation?
If you find out you have a negative online reputation, no need to fear. Take action and clean up your online reputation by trying these techniques:
1. Remove Content
You may be able to get rid of some negative content by flagging it as inappropriate or defamatory. If that doesn’t work, you could simply ask the author to take the content down.
2. Respond to Content
Mitigate the effects of negative reviews by responding to unhappy customers and trying to find a way to satisfy them. Other customers will appreciate your efforts and be more likely to purchase from you in the future.
3. Change Privacy Settings
Some negative content gets more exposure because customers can tag you on sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Change privacy settings on social media platforms to avoid this issue.
4. Bury Content
Can’t delete a bad review? The next best thing is to bury it on the internet with more positive content. Start your own social media accounts, ask customers for reviews, and start a blog on your website.
5. Hire Experts
If you really want to optimize your online reputation, it may be time to bring in the experts. Many companies offer digital reputation management services so you can monitor and build your reputation without having to think about it all day, every day.
Getting Started
Now that you understand the importance of reputation in business, it’s time to start building a good reputation for your business. Follow our advice and you’ll be well on your way to bringing in new customers, building brand loyalists, and increasing profits.
