In this all-things digital world, your online reputation is everything. In fact, in some instances, it could be the make or break of your business. A few negative reviews, some dismissive posts, or other derogatory remarkscomments might pop up in the online universe. This type of negativity could spell disaster for your company. Reputation management more so now than ever before has become a crucial component of your organization’s public relations efforts. Knowing how and in what ways to control your online footprint really can mean the difference between a successful venture or failing before even getting out of the gate
Top 4 Tips for Managing Your Online Reputation
1 Be Aware of What’s Out There!
Before you can do anything concerning mitigating any bad press, you have to know that it exists in the first place. Staying on top of reviews, frequently engaging forums, and potentially even hiring someone to keep tabs on where and when your company pops up are all critical to reputation management.
2 Be Transparent.
If something comes up, address it. Additionally, don’t be shy about including plenty of information on your website as well as various social media feeds. If you become the leading source, people may be a little more hesitant to go searching for info that can otherwise be inaccurate or misleading.
3 Respond to Reviews.
If you do encounter a review about your company (negative or positive/), offering a response is a great way to show that you not only care about your brand’s reputation but more importantly, you care about the customer experience.
4 Know When You’re Getting Catfished.
Imposter sites and competitors trying to cash in on a version of your name are unfortunately common occurrences. The key is to know what is happening in this regard and then take steps to set the record straight.
Especially if you are a smaller business, your online presence is a huge part of what people are going to gauge when evaluating your company. The most important thing to remember: the more information you have regarding how you appear to others online—the better!
At First Union, we love working with small businesses. We offer many loan options that help businesses grow and thrive. Call today!