Last Updated on September 13, 2024
Online reputation management is an ever-expanding field as both individuals and businesses begin to realize that one negative search engine result could potentially haunt them for years. For all businesses, the concept of “branding” has taken on a much different meaning in recent years. The field of traditional print advertising has made way for search engine and social media marketing.
If your goal is to eliminate a negative online review or comment, or to simply establish your brand online, here are three necessary tips that will improve your online reputation.
Step 1: Understand Your Image
Before you can improve your online reputation, you’ll want to be aware of what information is currently out there. A simple Google search is an essential first move during any online reputation management task. Look up search terms that are related to your industry and examine which terms are ranking highest. Then, scour social-media sites to determine the trending topics, as well as featured news stories that are popular with readers.
Once you’ve started the process of building your online reputation, make sure to take steps towards staying on top of things. Create your Google Alerts and Yahoo! Alerts so that you’re always in the know. You can have these alerts sent directly to your mobile device, letting you know instantly when a mention of you or your business appears online.
Step 2: Participate in Your Community
It just isn’t enough to establish a social-media presence. To fully maximize your online impact, regularly post content to those sites and engage in positive interactions with customers. If a negative review or rant is posted, address the issue and offer to make restitutions. Expressing concern about their issues will show customers and clients that you care deeply about what they think.
In addition to maintaining a news feed or blog on your own website to post announcements, you should also utilize a news distribution network that will publish press release about your business’s activities. This helps to broaden your reach even further, bringing new customers to your website or physical location.
Step 3: Contribute Sharable Content
It’s never been easier to meet your customers. Ask for feedback from those customers who makes a purchase via your website or in person and analyze that feedback in order to make improvements. You can further gauge customer interest in new services or products by posting polls on your social-media pages or your website. This focus-group approach to online marketing shows your customers that you are curious about their opinions, while also helping to ensure that each new presentation from your business has maximum success.
In today’s Internet-based business community, your online reputation is more important than ever. By having a proactive attitude about creating a positive online reputation long before negative commentary appears, your business can minimize the effect of any unflattering information.
Most importantly, regularly update your business website, blog and social-media sites. Stagnant digital properties make any business look outdated and out of touch with their current and prospective customers. When new customers seek information about your service or product, recently updated content will appear more prominently in search results. Plus, these consumers will know that when they visit your website or social-media pages, new information is being posted regularly. This gives them one more reason to keep coming back.
