While you may be focusing on the “core” business of your company, there is one single component that can have a great impact on your business, and that is, online reputation. An online reputation attack can be very troublesome. The good thing is that you can get prepared for it on how to handle it in the best possible manner.

Sometimes your online reputation could get harmed by factors that are away from your control. Thus, it is better to plan ahead in case it happens.

Why Should You Be Aware About Your Business’ Online Reputation

Now, you may be thinking “that will never happen to me”. Let me tell you that the world isn’t perfect. Your business may be completely transparent, have an excellent customer service, and offer a great product that suits people’s needs. However, there is always the chance that a client or two may not have the experience they were expecting and they will let it know to everybody on social media or your website.

This shouldn’t panic you…if you have a plan. It is better to invest money, time, and other resources before it happens than to have huge losses after it happens.

Steps for an Effective Online Reputation Management Strategy

The secret behind protecting your online reputation is to have many pages of your business rank on the top spots on Google so in case someone tries to harm your reputation using a blog or other online channel, this will be displayed on Google on the bottom of the first page, or even better on the subsequent pages. In fact, all of these steps are aimed at putting your business on Google’s top rankings so your “positive” reputation far outweights your “negative” one – in case the latter arises.

1. Build a Website

Using SEO is absolutely important. This will ensure your business will be placed on the top spot on Google’s results when somebody types its name on the search bar. Using WordPress is advisable as it has a good content management system. Adding useful content will also help.

2. Have Social Media Business Pages

You should sign up and have a business page for each social media site. This includes Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Instagram among others. In the case of Facebook, you should post regularly with useful content and captivating graphics. If needed, increase your follower base by advertising on Facebook paid ads.

In Twitter, also work on increasing your number of followers and tweeting constantly. For LinkedIn, make sure you have a full business description and ask your employees to include it in their “work experience” section. This will increase your LinkedIn page’s importance in the eyes of Google.

3. Have a Youtube Account

Google owns Youtube. Therefore, having an account and posting relevant videos will show up high on the rankings.

4. Make Business Profiles on Yellow Pages and Online Directories

Online directories such as Yelp, YP, Superpages, etc. will show your business page high on Google’s rankings given their high PageRank. This can also allow you to be more reachable to your customers by posting your address and pictures.

5. Register with Local Association Directories

If the local Chamber of Commerce, the Better Business Bureau, or other associations allow you to place links and profiles of your business to appear on their site, by all means do so. This shows that your business is trustworthy and will add more links about your business on Google’s first results.

6. Write a Book and Publish It On Amazon and Google Books

A book helps in SEO. It will also show up high in Google and will also make you the “expert” in the field, thereby, increasing your reputation as a whole.