One of the biggest questions that business owners have is how to build their online reputation. With so many people being online so much these days, you want to make sure your business is being shown in a good light. Some business owners don't know where to start or how to build their reputation. With that being said, here are few tips on how you can build up your reputation!
Tip #1: Market on Social Media
The first way to build your reputation is by marketing on social media. Almost everyone has an account these days and being seen on these can really boost your reputation. You'll have an even better chance if you market on multiple social media networks. Make sure you are being active on your social media pages, so people will see that you're real and you care about their opinions. You also want to always make sure your posts are positive and in good taste.
Tip #2: Monitor Reviews
Next, you want to make sure you monitor your reviews. Not only will you be able to see the positive ones, but you'll also see what aspects of your company your customers are unhappy with. By monitoring these, you'll be able to reply quickly and get any issues resolved. This will show people that you truly care about your customers and you want them to have an enjoyable experience. It'll show that they aren't just another sale.
Tip #3: Display USPs
Another thing you can do is display your USPs. These are unique selling points and they are pretty much what makes you stand out from other brands. Displaying your USPs will let your customers know why your products are better than ones that are similar and why they should give their business to you instead of the other company. You want to ensure that you are offering products that are better and more unique, so people will be more likely to shop with you. Learn from other websites to get a better understanding of implementing your USPs.
Tip #4: Be Consistent
You want to make sure you're consistent. This includes everything from posting content to answering customers. You don't want to vary from week to week because people don't like when businesses are all over the place. Not only is it unprofessional, but they might not want to give you their business because they aren't sure what kind of service they'll get. They want to get the same good service every single time and know exactly how it will go.
Tip #5: Build Relationships
One of the most important things you can do to build your online reputation is to build relationships. You don't want your customers to see you as just another business looking for sales and money. You want them to feel like they can trust you and like your family. You can also depict reasons why they should consider your service. These relationships will also help you get more customers because your current customers will be more likely to recommend you. In addition, you'll have happy customers and more positive reviews.
Tip #6: Don't Neglect Web Page content
You want to make sure you don't neglect web page content and design. This means make everything look good. Not only do you want to choose colors that go well together, but you also want to make sure everything is easy to read. Use visually appealing content to retain your customers to your product & services with a better chance of conversion. For instance, Ford while launching a new SUV, showcases features in an interactive way to make their customers easy to understand those technical features. This enhances user experience and builds online reputation.
Tip #7: Don't Argue Online
When people give bad reviews or post rude comments, you might get upset and want to fire back. You don't want to do this, though, because it can do more harm than good. Even though you think you're standing up for your business, other customers will see it as you being petty and unprofessional. Just let the comments and reviews roll off of you and don't let it bother you too much.
Tip #8: Be Responsive
Another thing you should do is make sure you're always responsive. You want to make sure you're answer all comments and concerns. This includes ones that are on review sites, your actual website, and your social media pages. People want to see that you're willing to have conversation with them and you don't just see them as a sale. By being responsive, you'll also build more relationships and get more referrals because you take the time to give each person an experience where they feel important.
Tip #9: Ask for Reviews
The 9th tip is to ask customers for reviews. Once someone makes a purchase, you could ask them to leave a review. Let them know you'd like them to include everything about their experience. This includes things like the buying process, if they talked to a customer service rep, and how easy it was to find the product they were looking for. Showcase those positive reviews on your pages which can build online reputation. For instance, Youi has made a “Youiwall” to showcase reviews on their website. This is so important because a lot of people will read reviews from people who have personal experience before they decide to make a purchase. These reviews can either make or break your business.
Tip #10: PR and Brand Awareness
One of the most important part of building a brand online is to share a buzz amongst the industry resources about your company. This could be done with the help of PR and Brand Awareness activities. Share news and updates about your business growth or changes in the policy of the company.
Tip #11: Set Up Alerts
The final thing you can do is set up alerts. These will let you know things such as: when a person leaves a review, when a comment is posted, or when people make purchases. This will help you reply as fast as you can and you'll be able to show your customers that you're responsive and you care about their experiences. In addition, you won't miss any important updates from the customers, which can make you and your business look bad.
As you can see, these tips are pretty simple and should help build your reputation as long as you follow them. You want to ensure that you're working hard and not slacking because any negative opinion can really ruin your reputation! Follow these tips and your reputation will be up in no time!