Big businesses and brands have been monitoring their online reputations for years. But widespread online reputation monitoring services for smaller companies and individuals is a fairly new trend.
Businesses and individual brands of all types are now seeking ways to build a positive reputation online. And to cater to this growing market, a vast array of tools has cropped up across the industry.
The explosion of online reputation monitoring tools now available testifies to a growing need across the small business community.
Unfortunately, many of these tools are expensive. Many are sharply focused on just a few key areas or functions. As such, multiple products may be needed to achieve complete peace of mind, sometimes leading to hundreds of dollars in subscription costs each month.
Fortunately, there are numerous online reputation monitoring options that won’t break your budget.
Three steps to achieve a better online reputation (for free)
Step 1: Get to know what’s already out there
First, utilize free online reputation monitoring options to understand what people think about your brand or business.
Not every online reputation monitoring tool requires a costly license or subscription fee. In fact, one of the best tools is completely free and available through Google.
Google Alerts has a variety of uses, particularly when it comes to online reputation monitoring. Google Alerts allows individuals and businesses to monitor any number of names or keywords at their convenience.
After entering your name, Google Alerts goes to work, monitoring the web for new mentions. If someone mentions your brand, business or keyword, you receive an email update instantly.
Once received, you can respond or take action quickly, doing what’s needed to protect your online image.
App.NetReputation provides another cost-free way to quickly gauge the strengths and weaknesses in your online reputation. This tool allows you to type in a few pieces of basic information, and the app runs a reputation analysis for you.
It’s also a good idea to take a look at your direct competitors. What are they doing to build or maintain their professional brands? Researching the competition can help you differentiate yourself or your company. It can also point to potential weak areas that you can exploit as you build your own brand.
Step 2. Actively improve your reputation
With online visibility tools like Google Alerts and App.NetReputation, you now have a good sense of how you look on the web.
And whether your brand sentiment is negative, positive, or neutral, taking steps to boost your brand reputation is critical. That’s because online reputation monitoring is meaningless unless you use it to your advantage.
By boosting your reputation, you’re also working to protect it. The stronger your reputation, the harder it is to damage it, making it essential to stay on top of your online image.
For individuals, this can mean anything from requesting LinkedIn recommendations to blogging about subjects you know well.
For brands and businesses, this might mean drumming up positive customer reviews and improving your online ratings.
You can also promote yourself on social, partner with influencers and charm the press to build a better online reputation.
Step 3. Keep on top of things
With your reputation improved, it’s important to keep things going.
Stay on top of things. Use Google Alerts and App.NetReputation consistently. Make time each week to take action to improve your reputation. Review what you’re doing periodically to get the most from your efforts.
It’s crucial to be proactive and never let up. Respond to feedback, thank customers for reviews and reach out to influencers. Don’t become complacent or leave anything up to chance.
Remember, online reputation monitoring doesn’t have to be expensive. In many cases, tracking your brand and your reputation can be done for free.
By contrast, an online reputation monitoring subscription may cost anywhere from $25 to $400+ a month. And while many tools may provide great insight into your digital presence, they also require a significant investment of time.
So, you’re not only spending hundreds or thousands every year. You’re also investing hundreds of hours of your precious time.
Luckily, there’s another high-quality option: online reputation monitoring services.
Online reputation monitoring services
Online monitoring services are generally an extension of online reputation management. Provided by industry experts, monitoring services provide people and businesses a preventative, proactive way to fight online defamation.
Reputation monitoring services are a standard feature of online reputation management and repair strategies. These services can also help prevent further damage during an online reputation crisis.
What’s more: many online reputation monitoring providers deliver the support and expertise you need to focus on what’s important – and achieve the peace of mind they deserve.
With expert online reputation monitoring services in place, reputation risks are identified quickly. And once new threats are targeted, ORM experts can deliver the fast response needed to stop an online reputation crisis in its tracks.
At NetReputation, we specialize in online removal, suppression, repair, and monitoring services that deliver results fast. We’ve helped thousands of clients monitor their online brands and achieve the digital success they’ve been searching for.
We provide cutting-edge online monitoring services that identify threats and position your brand for a better tomorrow.
Online reputation monitoring FAQs
What is online reputation management?
Online reputation management services (ORM) provide brands the tools to build, protect and repair their online image. Online reputation monitoring provides ORM campaigns the watchful eye needed to track new mentions and tackle new threats quickly.
How can I monitor my online reputation?
There are many ways to monitor your online image. These include:
- Tools like Google Alerts and App.NetReputation, which provide no-cost options for tracking your presence and dealing with threats quickly.
- Paid monitoring subscriptions, which, while effective, often require significant investments of time and money.
- Online reputation monitoring services, generally available through a trusted reputation management provider.
What does online reputation management include?
Depending on your unique situation, your online reputation management strategy may include anything from monitoring and online removals to SEO, search engine suppression and more. Whatever your needs, a quality ORM provider will work to customize the solution you need to maximize your online potential.
Additionally, online reputation management firms may offer any number of a combination of services tied to protect and repair your online reputation.
What is the best online reputation management company?
NetReputation was recently rated the best global reputation management firm of 2020 by Newsweek.com. We’re also ranked a top firm in the reputation management sector by Ebiznewswire and Digital Exits.
How do I clean up my online reputation?
Individuals and businesses may use reputation monitoring to identify threats and clean up their online reputation. Tools like suppression, deindexing and removal measures may also be used to repair any online damage.
But while it may be possible to tackle suppression, deindexing, and removal measures by yourself, it’s best to call in the experts.
How does social media improve your reputation?
Social media offers a great way to establish a solid reputation online. However, social networks can quickly become a breeding ground for negativity. Being proactive on the leading social platforms can help head off this negativity while promoting positive sentiments across the web.
What’s more: platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram may all be used to help improve the reputations of individuals, businesses, and brands across the board. In the digital age, social media activity can propel you to new levels of brand awareness and recognition in the online environment. NetReputation can help you build a robust social media presence, unlocking new opportunities for you.
Any other questions? At NetReputation, we’re here to help. Learn more about professional reputation solutions by calling 844-461-3632 today.
Updated 8/2022
by Net Reputation