Do Not Underestimate The Importance Of Online Reputation Management

Often misunderstood, an online reputation management strategy is something that all companies need to have in place.

While this can be achieved without assistance, the use of a reputable online reputation management company is a far more effective way to go.

Understanding online reputation management (ORM):

The online reputation of a company relates to how visitors perceive your business when they are looking for the types of products or services that you provide.

In this respect it is clear that any company wishing to be viewed in a positive light needs to build trust and credibility with:

·      Existing customers.

·      Potential customers.

·      ALL visitors to your online presence (this includes all online presence, be that websites or social media outlets).

Your online reputation relies heavily on reviews:

It is now an established fact that a company’s reputation goes hand-in-glove with their success.

The continued use of online access by customers opens up a whole new world for businesses. This is regardless of the business sector you are in. 

Having said this, it also presents a whole new raft of challenges. One being:

How do you establish yourself above the competition?

A highly effective way to do this is through positive reviews. Two stand-out examples here are:

·      Google reviews

·      Facebook reviews

Why are reviews so important?

The straight answer to this one is: Because people believe them!

Once a visitor finds their way to your site and has established that what they are looking for is what you offer, the next step will be to take a look at the Google reviews or any other reviews posted.

It goes without saying that positive reviews are what you are after. Because positive reviews = A positive feeling towards the products or services your company offers. Negative reviews will produce the opposite effect.

But, without constant monitoring of reviews both directed to you and those posted externally you are not in a position to react in a timely manner.

This is where availing of an online reputation management company really can boost your business.

Before we touch on some of the benefits of using such services, let’s address that all important issue of:

Customer perception:

This is where it really is at. Social media continues to flourish and there are certainly no signs of it waning.

You need to be active in social media circles and a prime example is that of Facebook reviews. Whether you like it or not, the Facebook reviews posted against your products or services will have a huge impact on the perception of your company.

We say this because while you have complete control over what you place on your websites and via your social media presence, you do not have control over related information that others post about your company.

This external information can be posted in the form of images, business listings, Google reviews, Facebook reviews and the many other review streams out there.

Don’t bury your head in the sand:

While you do not have control of these external postings, you must be aware of them and be in a position to react to them.

Being in a position of knowing what is being posted about your products, services and overall company image places you in a strong position to do something about them.

This is where a reputable online reputation management company can work wonders.  They can advise on online reputation software solutions that gather all information which is posted about your company.

While such solutions can be managed ‘in-house’, many companies take the sensible step of allowing their chosen online reputation management company to manage this for them.

By doing so they are then in a position to concentrate on their core business, while benefitting from a regular, comprehensive reporting system which details exactly what is being posted about your business.

Whether we like it or not, Google is all-powerful in this respect. This means that Google reviews of your products and services really do count. You need to react in a timely manner to these comments.

Why use the services of an online reputation management company?

The 24/7/365 ‘instant’ online world that your business is consistently exposed to means your reputation can change rapidly.

If this is for the better then it needs nurturing. If it is the opposite and you are being seen in a negative light then action needs taking very quickly in order to avoid such negativity.

Unless you are prepared to employ someone to constantly and consistently:

·      Gather all relevant information.

·      Manage the online reputation management systems.

·      Disseminate positive reviews (i.e. Google reviews and Facebook reviews etc.) to prominent sites where they will be noticed and appreciated.

·      React in a positive manner to any negative reviews.

Then availing of the services of a professional online reputation management company has to be the way to go.

People trust People!

You have worked hard to get your business to where it is, but there is still scope to push on and make further gains. Your online reputation will go a long way to achieving this.

The challenge in the online world is that people trust other people when it comes to such things as:

·      What is being said about your company.

·      How your reputation is perceived.

·      The quality and reliability of your products and/or services.

Without the assistance of a reputable online reputation management company to aid and abet your aspirations you could very well be missing a trick.