Why it's important to take your Online Reputation Seriously

We’ve talked before about the rapid change in the marketing landscape and the importance of your Digital Storefront. The changes extend beyond marketing to reputation sites, like Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Google listing. While your reputation spreads through word of mouth, there is a host of review websites where your business is listed, whether you want it to be or not. So while word of mouth persists, reviews of your business exist digitally and in most cases, going back for years.

There are a few strategies we’ve seen taken when handling online reviews for our clients and whilst building SocioConnect. Some businesses leave their reputation listings unattended, with bad reviews left unchecked like weeds in a garden. Others take reviews as an opportunity to thank their patrons for their kind words or refute incorrect retellings of a dining experience. Either way, it’s important to take your online reputation seriously.

These days, any potential customer can look you up online and see your online reputation. Well maintained listings, with recent photos, positive reviews (with responses), and contact information will draw them in. It’s an opportunity to showcase your customer service and how much you value a customer’s experience before they even set foot in the door.

Another reason to take control of your online reputation is information. That is, keeping the information on your listings up to date. On sites like TripAdvisor and Google, listings are often created first by customers rather than the business owner. As such, these listings are often incomplete or missing important information. Like the correct phone number or your opening hours. According to Google, the more positive reviews you have, the more your business's visibility will improve. So you should encourage your customers to leave a review online.

We suggest logging into your online review sites once a week to keep an eye on things. In your profile setting you will also be able to set up notifications allowing you to receive an emaile ach time you get a review.

One thing we will say is, keeping on top of your online reputation as well as social media is a challenge and does take time. That’s why reputation management is such an important part of Socio Connect, allowing you to achieve a full overview of your entire review history in one place. And if those reviews are responded to, with the ability to navigate straight to the response page of unresponded reviews.

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Good or bad, a user of SocioConnect or not, don't leave reviews unattended to grow weeds.

Would you like to chat to one of our team to get some advice on your online reputation and getting extra value from it?

Please email us at community@sociolocal.ie

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