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Having a positive online presence is a crucial part of any up-to-date business strategy. Potential customers use the internet to research a company and review of products and services before making their decision to inquire or buy. As a result, a poor online reputation can have a damaging impact on sales. Fortunately, effective online management can significantly improve your business image.

Here are 10 things you can do to manage your online market reputation.

1) Stay informed

The first step in any successful reputation management strategy is knowing exactly what people are saying about your business. By conducting regular search engine checks and setting up Google Alerts, which inform you of relevant result updates, you can be proactive rather than reactive when controlling your brand image.

2) Respond to negative feedback

If you find negative comments regarding your company, it is important to respond to them quickly. Challenging a comment or being overly defensive, even if the statement is incorrect, can create a bad impression, so instead be humble in your response and, if appropriate, try to make amends in some way.

3) Encourage customer reviews

Genuine feedback from previous customers can make your business appear both trustworthy and reliable. To encourage your customers to post positive reviews online, create a visible link to review sites on your website or email newsletter.

4) Use online directories

Your business’s profile on Yahoo! Local, Google Plus Local, and other online business directories can be created and updated from time to time. In online marketing management, it is important to search out key industry directories and publications that you can add your business listing and profile.

5) Use Social Media

Social media sites provide a powerful platform for connecting with people on a personal level. By creating an interesting fan page and offering exclusive content, product info or promotional vouchers,  you can develop a positive relationship with a targeted audience of potential customers.

6) Optimize your website

Google data shows that links on the first page of search results get 89% of all click through. Making sure that your own website is ranked highly will encourage people to visit it rather than other sites that you have less control over. Here are just a couple of useful SEO techniques:

– Use targeted keyword phrases in your written content
– Create inbound links and backlinks to relevant sites
– Use keywords in your link titles
– Update the site regularly

7) Use quality content

Whether it is on your website, blog, or social media site, having well-written, meaningful content creates a far better impression than keyword-stuffed, power-selling blurb. Communicate the benefits and value of working with you by sharing your knowledge complements and help solve your customers issues or what satisfy their needs.

8) Get the word out by sharing informative articles

Blogging is one of the most effective ways to maintain a good brand image. Setting up a blog is easy. Maintain and regular posting updates will have to be assigned to someone that understands your business. This can be linked to your main website and social media profiles.

9) Keep up a good offline reputation

Unreasonable customers happen to even the best of businesses, so there is no way to completely stop all negative online feedback. However, good ethics and great customer service will reduce the likelihood of someone posting harmful comments as much as possible.

10) Be proactive

Damage from a poor reputation can be hard to reverse, so it is wise to start managing your online brand image before a problem occurs.

By following these simple online reputation management steps, you can boost your brand image, maximize your sales, and prevent long term damage to your company.

10 Things You Can Do to Increase Online Profile and Reputation