Find out how to select the best online reputation management services for your small business.
- A well-managed online reputation can help build trust and increase profits, as well as attract top talent.
- Look for a reputation management firm that employs white-hat strategies.
Reputation management services can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars each month depending on the strategy employed.
This article is intended for business owners, both new and experienced, who want professional guidance to build, improve or maintain their online reputation.
Businesses and consumers increasingly use the internet to search for new products or services or research companies they might be considering investing in. It’s becoming more important for businesses to manage their online reputation. A negative online reputation or no presence online can be detrimental to your business and discourage customers from buying your products or services. Online reputation management is a popular way for businesses to improve their online credibility.
What is reputation management?
Online reputation management involves monitoring and shaping your company’s online reputation. You can use a number of strategies, such as search engine optimization, content management, review acquisition, management, third-party monitoring, competitor monitoring, and social media monitoring to improve your company’s online reputation.
The key takeaway: To maintain a positive online image for your company, reputation management requires multiple strategies.
Are Businesses in Need of a Reputation Management Services?
Although you may have a great restaurant or company, that does not necessarily mean your online reputation is positive. This is where reputation management comes into play. Consumers often look online to find out more about a company, so it is crucial that your business has an excellent image.
Positive online reputation can have many benefits for your business, including:
Increased word of mouth advertising. Positive reputation means that existing customers will tell their friends and families about your company. Word spreads about the quality of your products and your attentive customer service.
More profits. Having a higher level of consumer confidence in your business will result in increased demand for your products or services, which in turn will lead to increased revenue and more cash in your pockets.
What do Online Reputation Management Services do?
A variety of strategies are used to manage a company’s reputation online. These are the main strategies that these services use:
Management and search engine optimization. SEO (search engine optimization) refers to optimizing your website so that it ranks higher on popular search engines such as Google. Search engine optimization (SEO) is used by reputation management firms to make it easier for consumers to search for information related to your business. A reputation management company can counter any negative information that appears in search results about your business by using truthful, positive content.
Management and content development. High-quality content is essential to rank high in search engines and establish a positive reputation. Numerous reputation management companies will collaborate with you to create high-quality content so that your customers can find positive results about your business or you.
What is the cost of online reputation management services?
The cost of hiring a service will vary depending on the strategies you use. While some companies offer pre-defined service plans at fixed rates, many agencies offer customized services. Pricing is determined by the specific strategies that the agency recommends for clients.
Reputation management companies conduct an online analysis of your brand to determine the best strategies for you. Following this initial analysis, the firm prepares a cost estimate for implementing these strategies. Prices range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars each month. It all depends on how much work is required to maintain and repair your online image. You can also modify – adding or taking out – the services as required.
Be sure to check if the service requires you to sign a contract. You can cancel your contract at any time without penalty. Some contracts are for three, six, or twelve months.