If you’re worried about what might show up when someone Googles your name or business, read on to learn the many benefits of online reputation management.
Online reputation management is extremely important in today’s world. According to Adam Petrilli, founder of NetReputation, most employers turn to Google to research applicants before asking for an interview or making a hiring decision. Consumers do the same, going online to research a company before making a purchase. This also holds true for personal matters, like meeting someone on a dating site.
The internet is a very powerful tool. In just seconds, you can find detailed information about virtually any topic. This can be a huge help, but it can also harm a person’s or business’ public image.
Not everyone has a squeaky-clean past, and Google will bring it right to the surface (i.e., the top of search results) if the topic is relevant.
For business owners, this could spell disaster. If your name or business is associated with something unpleasant, there is a good chance that Google will show it to the world. Plus, for the average worker, it could hurt their chances of finding a job in the future.
Luckily, there is a solution: online reputation management.
The benefits of online reputation management are far-reaching when done right. Unfortunately, a lot of companies are negatively impacting their performance with misguided ORM strategies.
In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits of reputation management.
10 Benefits of Online Reputation Management
Every business and public figure should take their brand’s online reputation management seriously. In many cases, it can be the deciding factor between whether or not your customers choose to learn more about you or your company. As a result, this can also impact sales, revenue, and your entire customer base.
Brand reputation is by far one of the most powerful tools that a business has. Read on to learn the benefits of online reputation management, and contact us today using the form below if you don’t want to wait to discuss a strategy.
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You’ll Encourage Positive Word-of-Mouth Marketing
People will always talk, and word-of-mouth marketing is one of today’s biggest influencers. Consumers discuss what they like and don’t like about a brand or individual, as well as what they wish they could buy, learn, see, etc.
One of the major benefits of reputation management is the positive word-of-mouth that comes with it. When you have a good brand reputation, it will spread. Your consumers will essentially be doing your promotion for you.
Keep in mind that this works the other way, too. If you have a poor brand reputation, people are also likely to tell their friends about it, so make sure to stay on top of what people are saying about you online.
It Will Attract Beneficial Professional Relationships
No business owner, influencer or customer will want to work with or buy from a brand with a tarnished reputation. If you want others to take you seriously, you need to have a good record.
If your past is getting in the way of a positive reputation, you’ll need to mitigate the impact it’s having. An online reputation management strategy can attract beneficial relationships and present the opportunities to partner with other brands or individuals that will help grow your business.
And remember, you have to continually be trustworthy to nurture those professional relationships. Getting your foot in the door isn’t enough — you have to continue to prove your positive reputation as you move forward.
ORM Encourages People to Leave Positive Reviews About Your Business
According to PowerReviews, over 99% of customers read reviews when shopping online at least some of the time. And more than half of shoppers read reviews even when shopping in a brick-and mortar store.
The point is clear:Â Positive online reviews are what people look for before purchasing a product or service. Your positive online reviews have the power to convince a customer to make a purchase.
On the other hand, just like bad word-of-mouth, negative reviews can hamper your success. Oftentimes, a negative review is the result of an isolated incident that does not represent the company. But since that won’t stop poor reviews from impacting your business, you need to take action.
One of the best ways to dampen the effects of negative online reviews is to encourage your consumers to leave positive ones. They’ll be more likely to do that when your online reputation is positive and they appreciate your products or services.
If negative reviews are standing in your way, call us today at 844-461-3632 to discuss how your online presence can be repaired.
You Can Improve Your Personal Reputation, Too
Reputation management isn’t just for brands — it can also help out a business professional, public figure or any individual with an online presence. Whether you’re hoping to begin online dating, you’re looking for a new job or you present yourself as the face of your company, you’ll need an online image that’s positive and unblemished.
There are many reputation management strategies used for this, depending on your needs. For example, if you need mugshot removal, there are a lot of helpful resources on EraseMugshots.com. It’s also important to monitor yourself online in order to prevent identity theft threats.
You’ll Notice There’s Increased Trust In Your Business
People are more likely to engage and work with brand they trust. Having a good online reputation means your clients, customers and stakeholders will have an easier time trusting you and your decisions.
The reputation management strategies that most influence trust include nurturing authentic relationships, adhering to consistent messaging, and getting positive reviews and testimonials from those connected to your business.
It’ll Be Easier to Find a Partner or Investor
If you’ve decided to start your own business, you may need a partner or investing to get it going. People are more likely to invest their time, energy and money in you if your brand’s reputation is a positive one — and much less likely to do so if your name is surrounded by negativity and poor Google results.
Moreover, business professionals tend to chat with other business professionals. If they trust you, they’ll speak highly of you; if they don’t, they could do more damage to your reputation by framing you in a negative light to big players in your industry.
Here’s another benefit of reputation management: You could have people seek you out to get involved in a new business venture.
You Can Have Your Pick of a New Job
When you apply for a job, your potential employer is likely to search for you online before deciding whether or not to interview you. If you have a bad online presence — or no online reputation at all — they’ll go to the next resume in the pile and skip over you entirely.
Reputation management can help you brand yourself as a professional, showcase your skills and expertise, and get rid of any red flags that could stand in your way. You shouldn’t have to settle for a job you don’t want simply because an online reputation is getting in the way of your professional goals.
You’ll Gain a Competitive Advantage
Even in a crowded marketplace, being strategic about how you present your brand online can help you stand out from the pack. Even when you have the same or similar products or services as a competitor, your audience will choose you if you have a solid reputation behind you. When you’re able to compete in your niche, you’ll increase your profitability.
ORM Can Enhance Your Brand Image
When you want to enhance the image of your brand and brand’s reputation online, ORM strategies can help.
Managing the information that’s found online, from posts on your own social media accounts to articles that show up in Google results to comments on review sites, shapes your brand image.
ORM strategies like promoting positive content, professionally addressing negative feedback, and developing a consistent, on-brand voice and messaging across all of your platforms can make a big difference in your reputation online.
It’s More Likely You’ll Prevent a Crisis
Many ORM strategies are proactive instead of reactive, such as crisis prevention. By monitoring what’s being said about you online, ORM specialists can address issues before they turn into a major public crisis.
For example, an ORM expert can guide you to respond to negative feedback or handle misinformation in a way that will de-escalate the problem instead of causing even more of an upset.
ORM Professionals Can Help You Achieve These Benefits…And More
These are just a few of the many positive effects that come from skillfully handling your online reputation. If you’re seeking a solution to push down negative Google search results, encourage positive feedback on review sites, or use your social media accounts to your benefit, you’ve come to the right place.
The biggest ORM problem that people face is not knowing where to start. Instead of going through this alone and investing in online reputation management software that you’re unsure how to use effectively, consider hiring an ORM specialist or agency to work with you and develop the customized online reputation management strategy that’s right for you.
To learn more about our premier online reputation management services, call us today at 844-461-3632 or fill out the contact form below.
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by Net Reputation