When you Google yourself, or your business what do you see?
Are you being represented fairly? Or not? Do you need to take control of what people see when they search for you online?
Online reputation management (ORM) puts you in control of what people see when they search for you online. Which is very important.
While you’ll have control of your website, blog, Twitter or Facebook page, it’s likely you’ll find other information online that you have no control over. Some of it you won’t have contributed to, or you might not want it to be publicly visible.
The reality, in this day and digital age, is that search engines show people everything that’s being said about you online. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Which is why so many people are asking: what is online reputation management? And those in the know are talking about the importance and value of it.
What does online reputation mean?
People’s perceptions and opinion equal your online reputation
Online reputation is the reputation of a company, person, product or service on the Internet. This is influenced by what’s visible to people when they search for someone or something online, and their reactions to it and interactions with it.
These search results/links are collectively known as online content, which takes many forms. It could be your website, blogs, social media, images, videos, adverts, online PR, news or press coverage, business or personal directory listings, reviews and forum comments.
All of this information amounts to your online reputation, which is very important because it affects your credibility, visibility, and influence. As well as people’s trust in you, your company and its products and services.
So, it’s important for individuals and businesses to build and maintain a positive online reputation. If people are saying bad things about you or your company, it can harm your personal goals and your business objectives. If people are saying positive things, it helps your personal goals and business objectives.
Which leads us to the next question of what is online reputation management?
What is online reputation management?
A question that’s asked a lot is what is online reputation management? And the answer is that online reputation management (ORM) is the professional practice of developing and executing strategies or techniques that can influence a reputation online. This reputation can be a person’s, a company’s or its products and services.
Online reputation management helps to drive positive public opinion about the individual or company on the Internet.
There are many misconceptions about online reputation management. This is why when people are asked the question of ‘what is online reputation management?’ they will think it’s simply about search engine optimization (SEO). Whereas others believe it is social media activity and monitoring, or something to do with public relations. Perhaps they don’t realize how their online reputation can impact trust, credibility, sales, and growth.
Online reputation management will use techniques, tools, data, and strategies to create, promote and share positive content. This includes the creation of links and activities about an individual, business, brand or products online. This includes the content a person or company distributes itself, such as its website, social media profiles, and activity. Or it could be news/press articles, reviews, forum discussions or 3rd party links. Even influencer opinion, customer and stakeholder interactions, employee profiles, comment and any other information, activity or conversations about it. Every action will be search engine optimized (SEO) to increase its ranking.
Online reputation management also involves countering, weakening or eliminating the negative material found on the Internet. At the same time as promoting the positive to improve your online reputation, credibility, trust, interactions, and sales.
Why do I need online reputation management?
An online reputation management strategy will monitor, identify and influence your online reputation. It’s essential for any business. Because growing competition and a lack of trust can have a serious impact on people’s decision-making. If you don’t have a positive reputation people will look elsewhere to those that do.
Earning and keeping people’s trust is key to your long-term success. And is at the heart of a reputation management strategy.
We live in a world where word of mouth is still the most powerful form of recommendation. If people have a negative or positive experience, they’ll discuss it with friends and family. They might even go online to share their experiences through social media and review sites. Opinions spread fast online and readily influence opinion.
93% of people now say that online reviews impact their buying decisions. 1 negative can cost you 22% of potential customers and 4 or more negatives found online could cost your business 70% of potential future customers.
On top of this, 1 in 7 companies has lost up to £50,000, due to negative online reviews and content. And 1 in 20 more than £500,000. Today’s online culture is ubiquitous, and so online reputation management is vital to your success.
What are the benefits of online reputation management?
what are the benefits of a good online reputation
The benefits of a positive online reputation include higher visibility online, trust, credibility, and profit. You’ll also attract better talent and there’s less risk of reputation damage if you do face a crisis.
Companies with good reputations online are also treated better during a reputation crisis – often given a second chance to fix mistakes.
Trust
Brands with a good online reputation earn more trust. If people trust a company, product, service or a person, other people are more likely to share that sentiment.
Research shows that 90% of people only look at the first page of search engine results to form their impression. 64% of people trust search engines when they’re conducting research on a business. And 85% of consumers say they trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations.
Profit
Companies with positive online reviews attract more business. Every 1* increase in Yelp rating means a 5 to 9% increase in revenue. 68% of consumers say they are actually willing to pay up to 15% more for the same service if they will have a better experience. Never underestimate how much customer experience matters.
Attract better talent
People want to work for companies with a good reputation and that share the same values and beliefs they do. They trust what current and past employees say about a company and want to work for places that are visible, current, relevant and engaging online. 69% of job seekers are likely to reject a job offer from a company with a bad reputation.
Less risk
If you build and maintain a positive reputation there’s less risk involved if you suffer a crisis. Chances are that due to the positive sentiment and trust built, you’ll even bounce back quicker. You can also save a damaged reputation a lot easier with a good solid base to work from than nothing at all.
Visibility and credibility
A strong and managed online reputation ensures that you give people a good first impression. This highlights your strengths and counters any negatives. You’ll also find that there’s a higher chance of conversion and returns. Businesses with a good online reputation establish themselves as an industry thought leader and elevate themselves above the competition.
What does an online reputation management company do?
The best online reputation management companies fix negative search results and build positive online reputations. They use tried and tested strategies, tactics, tools and best practice techniques to improve your online reputation.
You’ll find lots of public relations companies and search engine optimization agencies claiming to be online reputation management companies. Most of them are not as it’s not their sole area of expertise. Some reputation management practices are unethical and can land you in more trouble than they actually solve. Reputation experts know the difference.
An expert online reputation management company works on fixing negative search results and building a positive online reputation for you. They will monitor your online reputation and flex their strategy according to changes in online sentiment. And, let’s not forget, changes to algorithms that affect your search results. A good online reputation management company will provide custom reputation solutions. Their teams will have strong technical, content management, marketing, and customer experience backgrounds.
So, what is online reputation management?
It’s all of the above and is your key to success in a crowded, competitive online space.
Google search results are the new business card. Which is why online reputation management matters.
An experienced digital PR, marketing and social media marketing strategist, Claire leads PR strategy and delivery at Igniyte across multiple countries and sectors.
With 16 years’ experience in marketing, communications and PR, she seamlessly directs all elements of B2B and B2C online PR to gain high-ranking positive coverage for our clients in regional, national, international and specialist online media – and she helps ensure that any risks are managed and mitigated.
