In today’s competitive business world, it takes more than a good product and excellent services to become successful. To outrank your competition, you need to remain consistent with your strategies. While the Internet has become a powerful tool to promote your brand and sell your products or services, there are several things you need to monitor digital success.
Important Statistics Business Owners & Digital Marketers Should Know
Maintaining your brand’s online reputation is essential to your success. One negative review about your company can put your business at risk. In a previous article published by Rize Reviews, it mentioned that 90% of consumers read at least 10 reviews before they validate merchants or companies. Several studies also show that 86% of consumers read reviews for local businesses; while 57% of them only buy products or services from shops with four or more stores. Additionally, more than 90% of consumers ages 18 to 34 trust online reviews as much as recommendations from friends or relatives.
These figures only show how local businesses should consistently monitor their digital marketing campaigns and proactively respond to every review. Here are some tips on how to effectively develop a strong brand identity and maintain a positive image online:
TIP #1: Boost Your Brand Presence By Implementing Multiple Digital Marketing Campaigns
While most local businesses focus more on social media, particularly Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, many seasoned digital marketers today strongly recommend maximizing your online potential by expanding your digital footprint. For instance, merging your social media campaigns with SEO or PPC can instantly grow your network and establish a strong customer fanbase. The key here is to determine which social media channels and web platforms you should use for your business.
Another thing you should consider when expanding your network reach is to be familiar with your target audience. For the business-to-business (B2B) market, it is advisable to optimize your LinkedIn profile, where you can build professional connections with key personalities within your industry. On the other hand, if you’re in the business-to-consumer (B2C) business, it is best to showcase your products on more visual platforms, such as Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube. This strategy will not only allow you to connect with your target audience but also makes it easier for you to take quick action whenever negative reviews arise.
TIP #2: Develop A Focused Content Marketing Strategy
You may have heard this over and over again, but content is still king and plays a significant role not only in online reputation management but also in your overall digital marketing campaigns. When it comes to content strategy, take note that it’s not the same as advertising. This means you shouldn’t just focus on producing hard-sell copies. Your content strategy should also provide important information about your products and services.
Take the time to do more research about the trending topics related to your industry. Observe how consumers interact and what sparks an ongoing conversation. This will help you build more positive engagement with your target audience.
TIP #3: Find Ways To Get More Customer Reviews
As mentioned earlier, online reviews have a great impact on customer decisions. While you can usually get reviews based on customer experience or the quality of your products and services, there are other ways you can explore to get customer reviews.
As much as possible, try to stay proactive. Some local businesses even take the time to call each customer to ask about their experience with their services. This reflects good customer service and may even encourage them to give you a positive review. Another effective way to get reviews is to offer discount coupons. Giving back to your loyal customers is a good way to show your appreciation.
TIP #4: Respond To Customer Reviews, Even The Negative Ones
More than 53% of customers expect business owners or merchants to respond to negative reviews; while 94% of consumers say bad reviews have convinced them to avoid their products and services.
Responding to customer reviews shows how you value their feedback about your products or services and creates positive engagement within your customer base. Do not ignore negative reviews, as well. Be professional by replying thoughtfully, without being defensive. Apologize for their experience and try to come up with the best resolution. Most of the time, they are willing to update their reviews with a higher star rating for addressing their concerns and coming up with a resolution.
Additionally, take this opportunity to listen to your customers. This allows you to review your products and services and make improvements with your processes. Keep in mind that as a business owner, you must always treat customers with the utmost respect and demonstrate that you value their feedback. Take note that other potential leads may be reading how you handle each situation before deciding to work with you. The way you face criticism is important to your success. Make it a point to listen to every complaint — whether you agree with it or not — and always respond respectfully rather than being defensive.
TIP #5: Hire An Online Reputation Management Firm
Online reputation management requires time and effort. Take note that this is not just a one-time project, but rather an on-going process. Without the expertise and the right ORM tools, it’s nearly impossible to stay on track with your goals.
For more efficient results, it is best to work with a reputable online reputation management company such as Rize Reviews. This also gives you an opportunity to focus more on other important tasks. When looking for prospects, make sure to check their credentials and the scope of their services. As an ORM firm, you should read more testimonials about their services. Ask for referrals and check the previous companies they worked with. This should help you gauge the quality of their services.
Rize Reviews has an exceptional track record in improving online standing by encouraging positive reviews and consistently monitoring your brand across all platforms. Its dedicated ORM specialists are well-equipped and have vast experience in mitigating negative reviews. Whether you need to boost brand awareness or repair an online reputation, Rize Reviews has the solution. Rize Reviews also offers review response services by an actual human and not automation.
Final Words
Local businesses are more susceptible to online attacks. With this in mind, you need to be prepared for such situations. Always remember that it’s never too soon to develop a strategy for brand awareness and reputation management. Get your team on board and make sure everyone is on the same page when dealing with customers. Reach out to online reputation management professionals for expert help.
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