For every business, it is important to have a positive online reputation. Now, when everyone is online, you need to put extra effort into making your online presence work in your favor, not against you. Here are some tips on how you can develop a positive online reputation for your business.
Be Authentic
The number one “must do” is to be authentic and trustworthy online. On your website, social media accounts, and in any other online forum, it is important to be honest. Be realistic. Don’t over-promise or raise customers’ expectations too high with false statements—be accurate when describing your company and your company’s capabilities. Learn from any mistakes. Rather than hiding slip-ups, acknowledge them and grow. Stay real. Try not to let your online persona sound like a robot—let your business’s online representation, whether that’s your social media managers or whoever is writing the text for your website, put their own voice into their work. Be human.
Ask for Reviews
It is important to ask customers for reviews. Building your number of reviews online will help boost your number of positive reviews, which can help outweigh any bad reviews you may have received. The most effective messages are repeated 7 to 20 times before they stick, so the more positive reviews, the better!
You may need to ask your customers many times; over email, on social media, and on your website, remind them of your request to leave a review of your business. After any purchase, ask customers if they would leave a review. As was previously stated, repetition leads to the most effective messages. You can also offer incentives to customers willing to write you a review.
Be Consistent
Consistency is key in order to maintain a positive online reputation. When your business receives a message from a client, make sure you respond quickly. Setting standards for promptness can be helpful with this; for example, it could be a good idea to set the expectation that all customer messages are responded to within 24 or 48 hours, if possible. Being reliable will boost your reputation online.
Be consistent with your social media, as well. A content calendar is a tool which can make consistency easier. Plan out a schedule of social media posts in order to make sure you aren’t going too long without engaging with your followers. Inconsistent online activity can give an impression of unprofessionalism.
Developing a positive online reputation for your business doesn’t need to seem difficult. Do your best to be authentic and consistent, and ask you customers for reviews—your business will be a respected online presence in no time.
Want to grow your business? Try FrameWork4Freedom!