Internet Reputation Management: What You Need to Know

Did you know that there are over 250 million Facebook users in the United States alone? Since people use this platform to share their thoughts with others, it’s not uncommon for users to talk about brands they have interacted with.

This behavior occurs on all other social media platforms, as well. If you don’t have a strong reputation management strategy in place, you might not be able to overcome certain issues if people begin posting negative content about your brand.

Internet reputation management should never be overlooked, and we’ve put together a short guide that has some of the key details you need to know about. Let’s explore the essential info about Internet reputation management for your company.

Negative Reviews Are Out There Forever

You can still take steps toward reducing the impact they have on your brand, though.

Start by creating new, positive content. When you have a lot of negative reviews, people will see them when they search for your company.

You can change this by creating new content that will show up first in search results. This could be blog posts, social media posts, or articles. You can also encourage your customers to leave positive reviews on sites like Google, Yelp, and Facebook.

In addition to creating new content, you should also respond to negative reviews. This will show other potential customers that you’re committed to providing a good experience.

You’ll Need to Audit Your Reputation on a Regular Basis

This involves monitoring what’s being said about your brand and taking steps to improve your reputation. For example, many companies choose to regularly scan social media platforms for any mention of their brand.

If you see a negative review, you can quickly address it. It’s also important to Google your business on a regular basis. This will help you see what people are saying about you online. If you see anything negative, you can take steps to fix it.

Google Alerts is a free tool that allows you to track what’s being said about your brand online. This will help you identify negative reviews quickly so you can take action.

You Should Have a Comprehensive Crisis Management Strategy

This will help you quickly and effectively respond to any negative content that’s posted about your brand. It’s important to have a plan in place so you can take action quickly. Otherwise, the damage could be irreparable.

For instance, let’s assume that a single isolated incident caused widespread negative feedback across social media. Your first step should be to offer a way for your customer to get in touch with you directly. You can do this by responding to comments and reviews.

Thank people for their feedback and let them know that you’re working on a solution. You should also reach out to influencers and ask them to help spread the word about your brand. This could be in the form of a blog post, social media post, or even a video.

You should also make sure to include positive customer reviews and testimonials. Even a single positive testimonial can go a long way when it comes to boosting your reputation.

You Should Still Encourage Customers to Leave Feedback

Even if you’re actively working to improve your reputation, you should still encourage customers to leave feedback. This will show that you’re listening to what your customers have to say and are willing to work with them.

You can do this by creating a call-to-action on your website or social media platforms. You can also include a link to a feedback form in your email signature.

Brick-and-Mortar Locations Should Make Digital Feedback Easy

If you have a brick-and-mortar location, you should make digital feedback easy to leave. This could be in the form of a QR code or a digital customer feedback form. You can also include a link to your feedback form on your receipt.

It’s much easier for your customers to leave reviews through this method as opposed to telling them to go online and navigate through your website.

Never Attempt to Conceal Negative Feedback

One of the worst things you can do when it comes to reputation management is to delete negative reviews from your website.

Not only will this make you look bad, but it will also damage your credibility. If you delete a negative review, people will assume that you’re trying to hide something.

Instead, use this opportunity to address the complaints that your customers have. As previously mentioned, you should also provide them with a way to get in touch with you privately so that you can resolve the issue.

It’s Always Best to Work With a Professional Reputation Manager

Doing so will help ensure your company’s good name is protected. This professional has all of the required experience and tools to help you get the best results.

When looking for a professional to work with, you should consider the reputation they have for themselves. This will give you a good idea of their ability to help you improve your company.

Reputation Management Might Seem Difficult at First

The good news is that it is not nearly as complicated as it seems. The above information has everything you need to know about proper reputation management on the Internet. From here, you’ll be sure to stay on the right track and hit your target metrics.

Looking for other useful information about how to run a business? Our blog has plenty of high-quality articles like this one.