8 Vital Steps to Master Your Online Reputation Management

Matthew Marley SEO

By Matthew Marley

  • 26/03/2023

A positive online reputation not only attracts customers but also builds trust and credibility. However, negative reviews or feedback can tarnish a brand’s image and deter potential customers pretty quickly. By proactively managing their online presence, businesses can influence how they are perceived by their target audience.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the 8 keys to successful online reputation management, ensuring your business thrives in this ever-evolving landscape.

Conduct a Thorough Online Reputation Audit

To understand how your customers perceive your business online, it’s essential to conduct an audit of your online reputation. Examine your website, social media profiles, blog, and third-party business profiles to gather insights.

Additionally, use tools like Brandwatch to gather even more valuable information.

 

Develop a Comprehensive Online Reputation Management Strategy

Formulating an ORM strategy involves three crucial steps:

  • Determine your ORM prioritisation
  • Create policy documentation and communication guidelines
  • Decide on your tone of voice

By following these steps, you’ll be able to effectively manage and improve your online presence.

Keep an Eye on Brand Mentions

Set up Google Alerts, or alerts on alternatives such as Talkwalker Alerts and Buzzsumo for your brand name to monitor mentions across the web. For social media sites and forums, you can manually search or utilise tools such as Hootsuite to stay informed.

 

Prepare a Crisis Management Strategy

A robust crisis management strategy includes:

  • Utilising media monitoring tools to stay alerted to unexpected conversations
  • Keeping an eye on industry trends
  • Understanding your audience’s preferred channels and communication methods
  • Assigning responsibility for responding to comments and reviews
  • Drafting responses to negative comments for quick action

Encourage Customer Reviews Online

To enhance your online reputation, encourage customers to leave honest reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, and Trustpilot.

This not only increases your online visibility but also aids in improving your reputation.

 

Tackle Negative Online Reviews Effectively

Managing negative reviews requires:

Prompt response times

Responding quickly to negative reviews is essential in managing them effectively. A prompt response shows that you value your customers’ feedback and are willing to address their concerns.

Fast response times can also prevent the issue from escalating, as it demonstrates that you are actively working to resolve the problem.

Courtesy in your communication

When addressing negative reviews, always maintain a polite and professional tone. Avoid getting defensive or confrontational, as this can further damage your reputation.

Instead, focus on providing a solution and expressing gratitude for the feedback, as it helps you to improve your products or services.

Acknowledging mistakes

When a negative review points out a genuine mistake or issue, it’s important to acknowledge it openly and honestly.

Admitting your mistake shows humility and a willingness to learn from your errors. It also sends a message to your customers that you are committed to providing the best possible experience for them.

Keeping discussions public, when appropriate

Handling negative reviews in a public forum (such as a comment section or social media) can be beneficial, as it allows other customers to see how you handle criticism.

It demonstrates transparency and can help to rebuild trust among your audience. However, if the issue involves sensitive or private information, it may be best to take the conversation to a private channel, such as email or direct message.

Offering refunds or discounts when necessary

In some cases, offering a refund or discount can be an effective way to resolve a negative review. This gesture can show your commitment to customer satisfaction and help to mend the relationship with the unhappy customer.

However, use this strategy judiciously, as it may not be appropriate or feasible in every situation.

Reaching out to third-party authors

Sometimes, negative reviews may be written by third-party authors, such as bloggers or influencers, who have a wide audience.

In these cases, it can be helpful to reach out to them directly to address their concerns and provide a resolution. By doing so, you can potentially influence their opinion and encourage them to share their improved experience with their audience.

Making improvements to your product or service based on feedback

Lastly, use the feedback from negative reviews as an opportunity to improve your products or services. Analyse the common issues and concerns raised by your customers, and develop a plan to address them.

By doing so, you can turn a negative situation into a valuable learning experience that ultimately benefits your business and customers.

Making improvements to your product or service based on feedback

Craft Consistent, On-Brand Content

The first impression customers have of your brand can significantly impact their perception. Ensure your content is consistently branded to create a stronger connection and better recall.

Select Influencers with Care

When planning an influencer marketing campaign, establish your goals and budget. Research influencer rates by reaching out manually or using tools like BuzzGuru Influencer Analytics to make informed decisions.

 

Conclusion

Mastering online reputation management is crucial for any business in today’s digital landscape. By following these 8 keys, you’ll be well on your way to creating a positive and lasting online presence for your brand.

Remember, your online reputation is an extension of your overall brand identity, and taking the necessary steps to manage it effectively can lead to increased trust, credibility, and ultimately, business success.