The internet has become an important part of people’s daily lives globally. People are more connected than they have ever been, but this has contributed to high vulnerability. It is possible that a minor error committed unknowingly can deeply damage your brand’s identity and future worth. This is because your brand’s online reputation is so linked with every move you take, and therein lies the power of the internet. Thus, there is a perpetual need to monitor and manage how your brand is perceived online.
With the rise of social media platforms, brands need to be even more wary of what they post since the internet traces all your online activities. What could have been a humorous tweet, post, or video might have a long-term negative impact on your brand’s reputation. Public image reigns supreme, and negative press stories can significantly impact consumers’ opinions of your brand. There can be significant consequences if your brand is featured in negative news – or even an article that seems negative with a clickbaity headline. This can not only hurt sales and cause a financial loss but can also impact audience growth. This ultimately makes the task of online reputation management (ORM) a necessary process for the success of your business.
Being visible on the internet is like a double-edged sword for brands since much of your audience will have exposure to your information, both good and bad. And as a brand, you want to endeavor to have a positive presence on the web. Professional Online Reputation Management agencies like Facilius Inc. can help your brand protect and maintain its online image and build trust among stakeholders.
Regardless of the approach your company chooses, there are a few things that your brand should be careful about concerning reputation management.
1. It’s difficult to erase online errors
When a brand shares content online, the internet doesn’t distinguish between what’s posted for a good or bad cause. Everything gets saved online, which means your brand leaves a digital footprint. Interestingly, this encompasses not only social media posts but also news stories, reviews, comments, and links. Thus, it is wise to seek the intervention of a reliable online reputation management agency for:
- Suppressing negative search results
- Removing negative news articles from Google search
- Cleaning up negative keywords and media links
- Controlling misinformation to protect your image
This way, you can condense the risk of negative content being used against you with the help of an online reputation management service provider.
2. The web can be weaponized
You would be wrong to assume your activities on the internet don’t matter. Clients, customers, and colleagues increasingly use search engines as their sidekicks before making important choices. The information they discover from the web will form their opinion of your brand. Something as insignificant as a witty comment on a social media post from years ago can be used against your brand by an envious competitor or a disgruntled customer. No PR solution will minimize the damage caused due to an error in judgment made while putting out the content. And living with bad publicity is certainly not what a brand desires. An experienced online PR agency can suppress negative search results that could potentially cost you your market share, revenue, and authority in the industry.
3. Customers hold the reins of your reputation
Consumers now have more power than ever because of technology. This is because of the vast increase in choices and availability of products and information online. Brands take years to establish trust and loyalty with their customers. The ones with good offerings, reputation, and marketing become winners. However, one mistake from the past or present accessible in the public domain can force a hefty blow to the brand. In fact, a bad business reputation can result in an 80% reduction in sales. The best way to combat negative reputation is to build brand awareness and establish a strong online presence for your business. This can help you control your narrative by enabling you to connect directly with customers and debunk any misleading or inaccurate information.
So, don’t be discouraged by the task of online reputation management (ORM), instead look at it as an opportunity to strengthen the character of your brand.
Brand reputation: No room for error
Monitoring and managing online reputation and its role in the success of businesses is now an important factor being discussed in boardrooms. That’s positive news for the industry. But it extends some challenges, too: we need to be creative, authentic, alert to trends in public perception, and how your brand operates and presents itself online. Specialized agencies like Facilius Inc. can help safeguard the brand in a safe zone, dispelling fear of online reputation damage. Boost your online reputation through professionals, as that’s the building block for your business’s long-term profitability, revenue, and valuation.
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