Why Your Online Reputation Matters

 It doesn't matter what type of business you have these days - it can be online or offline, large or small. You must manage your online reputation. Here's why your online reputation matters.

Most People Will "Google You" before Buying

You know you do it, so of course, most others do it too. If you want information on a business or product, you search on Google to see if you can find it. You don't care if it's a local business or not - you go to Google, type in the name, and then you read the reviews and other information about that business.

People Buy from Those They Trust

Finding good information during the searching process helps build a feeling of trust in your customer. If instead they find bad information, poor ratings, or other things about you or your business that is negative, they may choose a competitor - even if they can't find information on that competitor.

Good Reputation Gives a Competitive Advantage

The aim is to build such a good reputation that when someone searches for your name, a search term, or your product or industry, you appear in the searches in a healthy way without controversy. In this way, you'll have an advantage over your competitors who either don't exist online or have a bad reputation online.

Nothing Is a Secret Anymore

One thing you have to accept about our new technological world is that nothing is secret anymore. You can't be anonymous online if you expect to make an impact with your business. Instead you need to be yourself taking control of your reputation by making an appearance on discussion boards, blogs, podcasts, YouTube videos and more. Even if you have one negative event, you can ensure that the positive outweighs the negative if you make a concerted effort.

Unscrupulous Competitors May Attempt to Trash You

By keeping an eye on and working to improve your online reputation, when and if a competitor tries to trash you, you'll be ready. Believe it or not, some very misinformed and bad people will actively seek to trash you online. How you respond makes all the difference.

Every Action You Take for Better or Worse Affects It

One thing you have to know about being online and running an online business is that everything you do will be analyzed and scrutinized by everyone. It's imperative that before you post that picture of you hanging off the ceiling at that convention that you consider how it will impact your future. Before you spout off to a rude customer on social media, consider how you can turn it around in a way that is positive because even if you're ultimately right, how you respond matters.