Everyone, regardless of who they are, needs to pay attention to their online reputation. As a business, how you are viewed online will have a direct impact on whether or not you are successful, and that is why review management is so important.
Not Just for Big Business
There was a point in time when only big companies needed to worry about their online reputation. Now even local businesses in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, and the surrounding areas need to ensure that they are taking care of review management and putting their best self forward. People are talking, and every business needs to be listening.
Review Management Basics
The thought of being involved with review management can seem overwhelming. However, by knowing what is expected and taking small steps, businesses of any size can handle their online reputation.
Be Proactive
One of the best ways to handle review management is to be proactive. This means asking customers to add reviews to the various review sites, as well as responding to reviews once they are posted—both positive and negative. You can ask customers online and when they visit your business in person. You may not get everyone to leave a review, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to ask.
By being aware of what people are saying about your company, you are in a better position to solve any problems before they become major issues and change to better meet the needs of customers. Responding to both positive and negative reviews will let all of your customers know that you are listening and appreciate them taking the time to send you feedback.
Claim Your Business on Every Review Site
There are numerous review sites in existence, and making it easy for customers to post on their favorite one is important. Make sure your business appears on the big ones (Yelp, Google, and Facebook) and on any local sites that might exist. You’ll then need to keep track of all these places so you can respond to any reviews that are posted.
Learn from the Reviews
Both positive and negative reviews can help you learn and grow as a business. The negative ones might be slightly more helpful in this endeavor, as they will point out what weaknesses you need to work on, but the positive ones will let you know what you are doing right.
Consider Cross-Linking
If you’re doing it right, you should have a webpage and social media accounts. This will ensure that you are interacting with customers across all platforms online. In addition to having all of these accounts, make sure to cross-link them to one another. This means including your webpage link in your bio on your Facebook and Twitter pages, as well as links to your social media sites on your webpage.
You might also consider putting links to your reviews on your various sites, as this will allow customers to quickly and easily access that information. You can also use positive reviews on your various sites to highlight your business and how customers rank your products or services.
Yes, It’s Worth the Effort
When it comes to review management, there’s no doubt it takes time and effort; but it’s worth it. You only get one chance to make a first impression, and this is how it is done in the digital world. For big businesses and local businesses alike, most customers’ first impression of you will be what they see online, so make sure you look good.
If you don’t have the time or skills to take this task on yourself, there’s nothing wrong with getting help. At Digital Marketing Collective, we can help you with your review management and any other advertising needs you might have.