In the age of technology, a small business must expand beyond referral marketing. Business growth can be at a tenth-fold rate with quality online reputation management. Gone are the days of running a TV and a billboard ad; apart from being costly, it is by far less efficient nowadays.
Small business reputation management is the method of enhancing the perception of your business in the eyes of your potential clients. Online reputation management encompasses two factors. For one, tapping into your resources online to reach your target buyers. Second are the actionable steps to take for your small business to be perceived as the best.
Here are ways to grow your customer base leading to revenue increase for your small business.
Online small business reputation management
With the advent of free social media sites and search engine listings, online reputation management through digital marketing is manageable and comes at a fairly priced to zero cost. It is the end-all and be-all of good online reputation management to find your small business at the top of a search engine search with positive testimonies to boot.
Search engine optimization
SEO or search engine optimization is the process of strengthening the quantity and quality traffic of your website through organic search. The end goal is to be the leader in the search results page, owning the top three searches. SEO is a possibility for businesses that are active on their website and social media profiles.
The page must be a part of Google’s digital library. The initial step is to link a Google account connected with your business and verify ownership. Next is to request for Google to index your website. The last and recommended step is to submit a sitemap for Google to locate your web page easier.
Linking social media profiles to your websites will signal Google to include these in search rankings.
Take advantage of the Google My Business feature
Google My Business is a free-of-charge Google add-on that connects your business to your potential customers via search results and maps. Optimize this feature by entering your business information such as:
- Operating hours
- Products and Services
- Detailed information about your business
- Business category and attributes
- Link photos and videos
- Link to your social media profiles
Another solid feature of Google My Business that is directly related to reputation management is Google reviews. Online reviews are much more impactful to your business than traditional reviews. Customer feedback is the online aspect that we need to focus on and manage. The best way to make reviews work to your advantage is by encouraging them. Criticisms can improve the business if acted upon proactively. Timely response to reviews is also the best way to let potential clients know that you are engaged, collaborative, and offer the best solution.
Another dependable resource for your potential market to learn about your business is Facebook. This platform, with over a billion users, can grow your customer base. Provide as much information similar to your Google My Business profile and tag it as a business page. Your business information should be complete such as
- Business name
- Category
- Address
- Phone number
- Profile picture (logo)
- Cover photo
- Description of your business
Similar to Google My Business, business owners must upload photos, encourage feedback, and be savvy enough to work on the general look of the page. Freehand and control are features of Facebook pages to attract potential customers and grow your business.
The characteristics of the best reputation management for your small business are straightforward, practical, and inexpensive. SEO, Facebook, and Google can pave the way for small businesses to attract customers. The other half of the job lies with business owners to ensure quality products to acquire positive reviews. In a nutshell, visibility and consistency in the execution of good quality service, are the key takeaways in a successful and profitable brand.