Many local small business owners believe having nice website means their “Online Reputation” is intact. However, there is so much more to online visibility than just a nice website.
There are many ways for local consumers and business owners to interact online to create the reputation of a business online.
In today’s online market place most of your online reputation is built outside of your website. For example
- Social Media – Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn
- Review Sites
- Blogs
… just to name a few.
Are you beginning to understand the various ways your business’ online reputation can be influenced good or bad without involving your website.
Since I mentioned your website, let’s talk about a few practices that can build good reputation management.
These same practices go for any other web properties you may have as well such as Facebook Fanpage, Twitter page, or blog.
You can also utilize these practices with other web applications like Facebook Timeline, Twitter or your blog.
- Your business website is not your personal webpage – It should be managed professionally and kept business-related.
- Be polite in your public posts and responses. Never argue with a customer or reply with rude comments.
- ALWAYS comment on responses made by your customers and your potential customers – never ignore them. One of the best things you can do is to stay in communication with your audience and keep it as professional as possible.
Keep in mind to maintain your current customers and to win new ones is your goal. You are online not to make friends or enemies. Make sure you stay professional and keep your composure even when it can be very challenging.
Want to know how others view your business online…
Related articles
- REPUTATION MANAGEMENT ALERT: Online Review Sites Spell Big Trouble for Small Businesses (prweb.com)
- EnemyGraph: Making the Destruction of an Online Reputation Easier (soshable.com)
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