Due to the invention of the Internet, people nowadays can access any information from anywhere about anything. People are now nearly always online and are able to communicate with others over the Internet and share their thoughts and concerns on any subject. This means that all businesses, no matter their size, should be focusing on maintaining a positive online reputation. This will ensure that positive information is shared on the business meaning it is more likely to make sales as opposed to a business with a damaged reputation which will most likely turn people away until the damage is fixed. If a business gains a bad reputation it is best that they invest in a reputation management company which will be able to push down negative content and reviews and in some cases completely remove negative content.
Advantages of Online Reputation Management
Higher Trust
Companies and businesses with a good online reputation will be trusted more than those that have mixed or negative reputations. This is because people usually depend on the opinions of others so if many negative reviews are present people are most likely to be turned away. This also means that if others show trust then more people are likely to follow suit. A good way to build trust within a business community is to ensure that all negative reviews are dealt with correctly and all questions and queries should be answered. Customers like to gain feedback and like to feel as though they are important enough to be answered to by the company themselves.
More Profitable
Because good online reviews and reputation attracts more customers it will mean that an the business will make more money overall and will have more customers. This is an ongoing process and the more customers and the better the reputation is the bigger the business will grow. Harvard Business School produced a paper which shows that every additional one-star rating on Yelp could boost a business’ profit by as much as 9%!
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Less Risk of Further Reputation Damage
Having a bad reputation in some cases can cause a business’ reputation to decline even further. This is because people will see that the business has bad reviews and a bad reputation overall and will share this to others which will do the same and so on. This is why it is best to create a reputation management plan as soon as possible to minimise the damage and costs caused by damage to your reputation.
How a Good Reputation Helps
Here are a few benefits that a business can receive from having a good reputation:
- A strong online reputation management strategy will help to highlight the strengths of a business and can also help to counter negative comments from users and also competitors.
- A strong online reputation that increases the trust of the business’ customers means that there is a higher chance of people choosing it over another.
- A well-managed online reputation strategy ensures that the business will have a good first impression on people considering making a purchase. It will help to build a positive brand image and will identify customer needs.
- A strong online reputation helps a business to establish themselves as the main source of whatever they provide as opposed to others in their area.
Attract the Best Employees
Having good reviews and a good reputation can also help when recruiting. This is equally as important as attracting customers as a business should aim to offer the best service they can and they can only do that if they have the best employees for the job. The best people for the job generally want to work at a good company that is showing no signs of slowing down. They also will be looking for a company that has good values and beliefs so that they know that they can be trusted. It is best to look after your employees too as people considering working for a business will most likely consult both current and past employees to get their views on the company. As well as this, positive online content will show that a business is worth working for and this is another factor that potential employees will be looking for.
Chance to get on First Page
Google is the best platform for a business to be seen as it favours positive content and displays business’ with the best reputation on the first page of their local area. This is important as most people don’t even look past the first page so if negative content has pushed a business’ website all the way to the next page they are less likely to make sales. It is also proven that customers judge brands and businesses based on what Google’s search results say about them. Getting onto the first page of Google or any other search engine for that matter is of utmost importance for any business hoping to gain trust and loyalty from their customers. A business’ online reputation management strategy should highlight the strengths and be presented well to be appealing on the first page of Google or other search engines. Businesses that take advantage of Google’s algorithm will be rewarded with higher customer traffic, better employee recruitment, better reviews and feedback and will also be seen as a leader in their field.
