Online Reputation Management: Practices You Must Know to Sell Better

February 25, 2019

Online Reputation Management

There is no doubt that the effectiveness of your company ’s online reputation management will greatly impact its sales.

This is because online reputation management is linked with your brand awareness, customer loyalty, and satisfaction. It’s basically what people are saying about you online.

So, if you have a poor reputation online, it’s going to affect your sales negatively. And not just online.

That said, we have made a list of 5 ORM practices you should never overlook or take for granted if you want to maintain or increase sales, conversion.

But before that, let’s get a clear picture of what Online Reputation Management (ORM) is.

What Is Online Reputation Management?

Many people think ORM is just about maintaining social media popularity and some don’t a thing about it.

Here’s a good definition of online reputation management from Techopedia:

“Online reputation management (ORM) is the practice of crafting strategies that shape or influence the public perception of an organization, individual or other entity on the Internet. It helps drive public opinion about a business and its products and services.”

In simple terms, it’s all the strategies a company uses to build trust and awareness for its products and services.

It is concerned with your company’s brand in search engines, forum, social networks, blogs, news sites and so on. It basically entails monitoring, building, controlling and, if necessary, cleaning up for your online brand.

5 Online Reputation Practices That Can Boost Sales

This is not an exhaustive list but includes the main practices you can’t afford not using if you want to grow your brand and increase leads and sales.

#1 Practice Radical Transparency

Gone are those days that website owners can survive without putting user experience first. Companies have to be transparent by allowing customer opinion and brand feedback.

As a result of this, you can get unwanted opinions. But, you have to be radical with how you approach these opinions to avoid adverse consequences.

#2 Keep A Monitoring Eye

ORM is not just about responding to a potential huge blow to your company’s brand image. There is a need to be proactive to avoid this kind of situation altogether.

A great way to go about this is through social media monitoring. In this case, you can DIY using tools like Google Alerts or consider hiring ORM professionals if you own a large business.

#3 React quickly and politely

To avoid losing thousands or even millions in revenue, you need to respond to critical comments about your brand in a timely and polite way.

Plus, this makes your customers know that you value their opinion and satisfaction.

#4 Strike If It’s Right

Yes. You shouldn’t attack your critics or be defensive about a derogatory opinion of your brand.

But this is as long as the comment is legitimate and true. Once people post false information about your brand, this is defamatory and you can sue or request review removal.

This way, you avoid your sales and reputation going downhill.

Need Help With Your ORM?

The funny thing is, most companies don’t bother about their online reputation management till it’s in bad shape.

If you need help with your ORM, you can contact us here. We are a Kalamazoo SEO company with skilled specialists who are ready to assist your company or help build its online image.