At M&R, we don’t trust the phrase “all publicity is good publicity.” When it comes to running a business, bad publicity is…well, bad. It hurts sales and drives customers away. It also prevents new customers from using your products or services. This is why it’s so important to monitor your online reputation.
One of the first things people do when looking for a product or service is go online – your online presence is the front door to your business. Your image online should be positive and consistent—but how do you make that happen?
Google, Google, Google
There are several search engines on the Internet, but Google is king. Monitoring your reputation begins with three steps: Google, Google, and Google.
- Google Yourself: What shows up? Hopefully an up-to-date website discussing your services and a collection of positive reviews.
- Google Your Services: Do you appear on the first page, or is your competitor ranked above you? People rarely look past the first or second page of search results. If you’re on page 4, you might need to perform some Search Engine Optimization (SEO) on your site.
- Google Your Competitors: Do their reviews and website look better than yours? That could be a serious problem for your business.
Social Media is Queen
If Google is king, then social media is queen. The majority of online adults are on social platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. What are people saying about you on social media? Word-of-mouth is the most effective marketing strategy, so hopefully people are recommending you to their friends.
A Few Extra Measures for Monitoring your Online Reputation
- Visit review sites. Are people giving you positive or negative reviews? Are people giving you any reviews at all?
- Register your website with online directories—it’s a great way for people (and search engines) to find you.
- Begin a blog on your website. It will establish you as a leader in your industry and improve your SEO.