Reputation has always been essential for the health of a business. The difference today is that reputation management is no longer just a local issue. A business now is likely to be mentioned and reviewed all over the internet.
This kind of issue used to only matter to very large companies, who were frequently discussed in the media. Now, however, even smaller businesses have to be concerned about reviews and comments made by customers and competitors. Let's look at some ways to create the best possible business reputation.
Monitor your reputation consistently.
It's important that you are aware of your reputation and any possible threats or problems. You want to be aware of what people are saying about you at all times. You should do a search for your company's name in the search engines at least once a week. You should also set up a Google Alert so you are notified when your company is mentioned.
Always ask for feedback.
This is one of the most important things you can do to make sure you are doing what's necessary to satisfy your customers. It's essential to constantly analyze customer experience by asking questions and encouraging people to tell you what they think.
Address problems and complaints promptly.
The worst approach is to ignore complaints or to respond to them defensively. We're not talking about trolls here, but people with genuine issues. Whether you respond to someone by email, phone or on the social site where they left a comment make sure you address legitimate concerns.
Identify your goals and then brand yourself accordingly.
You must come up with a clear vision about how you want to be viewed by the world. This includes knowing who your primary audience is. That way you can take steps to create an image that is consistent with your goals. Without this kind of focus, it's difficult to build the kind of reputation that you want.
Have a clear cut social media policy and make sure everyone on your team is familiar with it. Many companies get into trouble because someone posted something inappropriate on the business's Facebook page or Twitter account. You should also be very careful about who you allow to post on your company's behalf.
