Anyone who considers themselves savvy in the world of business understands the importance of specific business operations. For example, a business would never be able to thrive without implementing certain marketing strategies. Another essential business practice is customer service; without a customer service team to answer questions and resolve issues, there’s a good chance the business will fail.
So we’ve established the importance of solid marketing strategies and a responsive customer service team. But what about reputation management? Reputation management is a business practice that many company leaders underestimate. Well it’s time to stop that and time to start focusing on reputation management as a regular business practice.
There are several ways to tell if you aren’t investing enough time or money into reputation management for your company. These 3 red flags are a surefire sign that it is time to start focusing more than ever on better reputation management practices.
You’ve resorted to fake reviews
Creating fake reviews is not an uncommon practice. In fact, more companies than ever before are creating fake online profiles on platforms like Google, Yelp, and Trip Advisor in order to write as many reviews as possible in their favor. No matter how much you think this will help, it will do you more harm than good. Perhaps you’ll never get caught, but the average consumer is becoming more weary of fake reviews and can often decipher what’s real from what’s fake.
You have no online presence whatsoever
The main resource used by consumers to find everything from a plumbing service to a bouncy house company is Google. Research shows that over 70% of web traffic is from organic searches. In other words, searchers don’t know exactly what they’re looking for, but instead just have an idea. This idea is represented on a Google search through keywords and phrases.
When you try typing keywords that relate to your business into the Google search bar, what happens? If your company website shows up on the first page of results, you’re in the clear. What’s even better is if your site shows up very first, because web users tend to trust Google’s judgement and often go for the first Google result. If you don’t show up on the first or even second page, you have a lot of work cut out for you.
You have several negative reviews to your name
One of two negative reviews directed at your company might not seem like a huge deal, but one or two can quickly spiral. It is completely normal to have a few unhappy customers, because let’s face it, it’s impossible to make everyone happy.
However, it is still important to manage these reviews and do your best to resolve the customer’s issues. By responding directly to these negative comments on a review platform, you’re showing your current and potential customers that you value their opinion and will do what it takes to make them happy.
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