A positive online presence is crucial to the success of your business. Your reputation and the work your business is known for means a lot to potential customers. Word-of-mouth is still the most trusted form of recommendation, an astounding 88 percent of people polled admit to trusting online reviews as much as personal recommendations from friends and family. This number is even higher for younger audiences. Keep reading to see how your business can really benefit from better online reputation management.
Why Reputation Matters
In the digital world we live in, customers can instantly take to the web to tell the world about your business and their experience. Google, Yelp and other social media platforms all play a major role in how your business is perceived online.
Reviews can be positive or negative, which is why it’s so important to celebrate the positive. Potential customers read on average 6 reviews before making a decision and they are more likely to visit your website if these reviews are positive. With such little time to make a lasting first impression, building a strong presence is of utmost importance.
Benefits of a Reputation Management Strategy
Small businesses and multi-location franchises alike see positive results from implementing reputation management strategies. This is the foundation for building strong relationships with existing customers and can be one of the most powerful tools to help your business find new customers. Expect to see the following benefits from a reputation management strategy:
- Increased branding potential
- Better client retention
- Higher numbers of new customers
- More meaningful interactions with customers
Through a customer relationship management (CRM) strategy, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of what your customers are looking for – and what they already appreciate about you. You can track and respond to these reviews yourself or hire a professional team that can develop a custom reputation management plan in order to make viewing and managing your customer information easy.
How Reputation Management Affects SEO
Reputation management impacts unexpected parts of your business, including your site’s search engine optimization (SEO). A strong, positive online presence tells search engines that your business is popular, which has the potential to give you preference in search results. By building trust with customers, providing excellent customer service and encouraging positive reviews, you may see better SEO results. Another reason to be strategic in your online reputation management is the impact that is has on the growth of your online presence! Reputation management is a great way to create a long-lasting impression that will encourage new customers to give you a chance.
If you would like to learn more about how online reputation management can impact your business and potentially grow your business, contact us today. CyberMark offers customized reputation management services that allow you to be more proactive in the management of your online reputation.
