Consumers have more choices than ever before, so reputation management is one of the most important services you can invest in for your business. Although reputation is important for companies of all sizes, it’s even more critical for small businesses to carefully monitor and maintain their public perception. In this changing economy, even small fluctuations in reputation can have a significant impact on your success. Here, we share more about how brand positioning services and reputation management can help you.
Why Is Reputation Management So Important?
Rather than relying on word of mouth or choosing the first option they come across, most customers do their research before committing to a company’s product or service. According to Forbes, approximately 90% of customers read reviews prior to purchasing, and at least half of buyers won’t complete a transaction before reading at least four reviews. Potential buyers have numerous ways to look into your reputation, including popular mediums such as Google Reviews, Yelp, and Facebook. Therefore, it’s important to carefully manage your online reputation on a comprehensive level to ensure that your brand is putting its best foot forward.
How to Manage Your Reputation
Protecting your reputation is a never-ending process, so it can be daunting to get started. Many customers want to see that you’re attentive and engaged, so responding to all reviews, questions, or comments is a must. If you’ve been burned by a bad review as a small business owner, it can feel personal. Although you may be tempted to respond negatively or defensively to critical reviews, it’s usually best to steer clear of this, as it can do more harm than good. For best results, consider working with a company who specializes in online reputation management. Find a team that’s familiar with your industry and has the capability and know-how to use real people (and possibly AI) to mitigate brand-bashing, communicate effectively with customers, and monitor content.
As a small business owner, managing your company’s reputation is of the utmost importance. You already know that what others say about your business plays a crucial role in how your brand is perceived, but you may lack the time or confidence to effectively monitor and protect your reputation online. If this is the case, our team is here for you. We have the expertise to provide businesses of all scopes and sizes with brand positioning services, reputation management, marketing strategy, and more. We never take a one-size-fits-all approach, so please reach out to us so we can learn more about your brand and determine how we can be of assistance. We’d love to speak with you and create a customized plan to help you achieve your goals.