As the owner of any business, something necessary to consider is who is handling your reputation management, and how. In today’s cyber world, reputation and brand identity has become everything in securing customers and appealing to prospective buyers/clients. The internet offers so much transparency that there is virtually no way to hide from negative aspects of your business or harmful reviews. It’s all out there in the open- and it’s up to you to decide what you want to do about it. With the emergence of review websites and apps as well as social media, your customers can now easily decipher if they want to support your business, or if they want to run the opposite direction.
Unfortunately, many businesses don’t yet see the value of spending time, effort and funding on reputation building and management- until they do after it’s too late. If ignored, this lack of care could cost tens of thousands of dollars in lost revenue, missed connections, and repairing negative reviews. Instead of waiting for things to collapse, why not get a handle on this crucial aspect of business and ensure your reputation is exactly where you want it to be? Of course, understanding all of the key components to reputation management is no easy endeavor. That’s why hiring a competent SEO company will either make or break your business. There are a plethora of necessary reputation management tactics out there- here are the most crucial ones that a great SEO Expert will use to keep your business thriving.
Online Presence
Without a doubt, online presence and relative social media are the driving factors in getting your brand or business on the market- and keeping it there. Whether you are a new business or a seasoned veteran- your online presence is your biggest ally. How can you increase your online presence? That’s what a great SEO Agency is all about. By optimizing your website, crafting a flourishing social media presence, getting your Google ranking high on search results and putting your business on the map (literally)- you’ll set yourself apart from the competition.
A business-oriented website should be:
- user-friendly
- aesthetically pleasing
- have all of the necessary information and imagery (landing pages, short and long descriptions, videos, testimonials, background story, contact information, products gallery, and descriptions)
- uphold the chosen brand identity and appeal to the target demographic
A brand’s website is the main way to lock in sales and build subscribers and ensure that it’s visitors take action after reviewing the site.
Social Media is the next largest platform that will represent your brand’s identity, and uphold its reputation. Customers want to know the type of company they are getting into business with and what they’re all about. Social media is the best way to show unique character, add a bit of humanity to your business and connect with your audience. No website can yield the same connection as social media can.
First Impressions
First impressions are huge when appealing to your target audience. Your very first impression starts with the search engine. That is to say, where your website and social media rank on search results will largely determine how many people will find you. Google (Yahoo, Bing, etc.) is the main reference point. This is essentially a deciding factor in the growth or loss of business in today’s online market. Especially if your products are exclusively sold online, you won’t have a chance if you don’t make a good first impression. Once you get people to your site, you have about 3-5 seconds to grab and hold their attention before they go looking somewhere else. Because of this, your site and social media need to be engaging, easy to use and access, have clear and concise information listed and appeal to your target market. If you can’t manage to provide a wonderful first impression, you will without a doubt relinquish potential customers, and seriously hurt your business.
Reviews
Today, reviews have basically become the new standard of discernment. According to the 2018 Online Reviews Survey by ReviewTrackers, approximately 45 percent of consumers say they are likely to check reviews on Yelp before visiting a business. Yelp’s percentage is only second to Google (64 percent). These statistics make clear how integral reviews have become to the success of any business. If your company is not aware of your online reviews, you could be seriously damaging your reputation just by being passive. The diminished clientele you’re experiencing is likely directly related to your online reputation in the form of reviews. Yelp, Google and other websites make it easy for anyone to write in- regardless of how great you may think your company is, your outward image if being crafted by the hundreds of reviewers who have done business with you. Hiring an SEO Expert in Los Angeles will allow you to master the review game and increase your number of positive reviews and overall reputation- especially in the over-saturated and competitive Los Angeles market!
Written Content
A component to reputation management often vastly overlooked and underestimated is written content. The type, the volume, the intention and the point of connection is all super important when curating written content for your business. An SEO company will oversee all of the platforms in which written content is necessary, and likely bring on board a seasoned writer to ensure the quality and volume of written content is high. The purpose itself for written content varies greatly. For example, the language and tone for which your business chooses to express itself must be consistent, well-understood and adhere to your desired image. Blogs and Articles are also an extremely necessary component to any thriving website, as this is a fantastic way to increase your Google ranking, and offer more points of connection with your customers. Offering listicles, blog posts and “how-to’s” will tell your audience that you’re passionate about your niche industry, you value and share useful information, and that you’re knowledgeable about your product(s). Blogs bring your products into the real world and give them content and framework. Hire an SEO Consultant that can provide you with a great writer, or at least inform you of the ways to increase and improve your online written content.
Return On Investment
All of this work in reputation management may seem like a serious undertaking, but it doesn’t have to be. When you hire a professional SEO expert, you can enjoy the expertise and years of experience they bring to the table when developing an effective and comprehensive reputation management strategy. Los Angeles SEO consultants are amongst the most ground-breaking, innovative and knowledgeable in the industry. By adapting to current market trends and staying as up-to-date on business marketing and SEO as possible, you ensure a serious return on investment. Be proactive versus reactive when handling your reputation management. Don’t wait until your phones stop ringing, your employees lose morale, and your business is in the hole to call an SEO Expert.
After understanding the value and importance of reputation management, you may be wondering where to find the best marketing consultant in Los Angeles or Santa Monica. At I Think An Idea, we want to see your business thrive. For more information on how you can optimize and grow your business, visit us at I Think An Idea and get in touch to schedule a free consultation. Choose SEO and start the transformation today!
