In today’s digital age, no one pays attention when you make a word-of-mouth recommendation or review, even if it’s positive! Nowadays, everything regarding a business’s reputation is managed online, and although it can be challenging to establish, it can be even easier to knock down with a single bad review.
Although what people say about your business is out of your control, there are many ways to boost your online reputation to improve your standings (and even attract more customers!), even if your business is the brunt of a scathing review or negative press mention.
From systematically reading/responding to Google reviews and being open to feedback to owning up to mistakes when they happen and regularly engaging with your target audience, we outline how companies can attract more customers by boosting their online reputation in our article below – keep reading to discover more.
Respond To/Read All Reviews
With as many as 8.5 billion Google searches being conducted daily, it would be a waste of resources for businesses to refrain from using the search engine to boost their online reputation (and attract more customers simultaneously). One of the best ways to do so is by setting up and utilizing Google Reviews, which enables customers to leave their thoughts on your organization organically.
Naturally, you will attract a mixture of positive and negative reviews, which you can’t do anything about. But, although you are stuck with them, you can use them to your advantage (even the bad ones!) by reading and responding to them all.
Doing so makes your company look attentive and eager to right your wrongs, which can persuade customers to shop with you again despite their previous negative experiences. If you’re unsure how to get started with Google Reviews, consider checking out Signpost! They have tons of free guides and even software that allows you to do this automatically.
Hold Yourself Accountable When Mistakes Are Made
No matter how well you plan, mistakes are unavoidable. But how you handle the aftermath of the error will cause your online reputation to increase or decrease. Especially in our digital age, where cancel culture exists, your business must take accountability for any mistakes as and when they happen.
Even if you don’t think that your business has done anything wrong, apologizing publicly instead of trying to sweep everything under the rug is your best bet at mending your online reputation when it does come into question. As long as your apology is genuine, 78% of consumers will likely use your company again, even after making a mistake – which is why owning up to your mistakes is vital for continued support and your online reputation.
Engage With Your Target Audience Often
Another critical aspect of boosting your business’s online reputation is regularly engaging with your target audience. One of the most effective ways of doing this is using social media platforms, with some of the most popular being TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Not only can social media platforms like the connect you with your audience with just a few clicks, but it is also the most cost-effective way!
However, you won’t attract customers with a few back-and-forth interactions; you will need to post engaging content, respond to your audience, and thank them for their support. which will foster a community of trust and honesty and ultimately improve your online reputation.
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