When people deal with companies or other business people these days one thing is for sure: they will use Google search engine to find everything possible about the business or a person they are dealing with.
What will they find when they put your company name to Google search?
Unfortunately many times results can be quite devastating. As we all know bad news travel fast and online those bad news don't have to be true, they can just as well be opinions and gossip, but unfortunately many decisions are based on those opinions.
Internet today is a fantastic tool for information, but it is also a totally new way for competitors, unhappy customers or disgruntled employees to post all kinds of claims about your business.
Search engines do their job really well these days and the negative impact on your business is instant and it stays online forever.
What is The Best Business Development Strategy To Minimize Online Business Reputation Risk?
The best way to deal with negative comments is to spread as much positive things about your business as possible. Search engines are very efficient and pick that content as well.
Your Website Is Your Link To Your Customers and Prospects - Make It Human
Make your website look as positive about your business as possible. Include positive testimonials, tell how your company is part of the community and also tell more about people behind the business, both executives and employees. Make it as human as possible. Use videos and lots of photos of the people working in your business.
You can put up a blog where Chairman/CEO can write about your business and how it is helping people and community as well as adding value to the marketplace.
People like to read human stories, about people behind the business.
Be Open
The best policy in business is openness. We as humans tend to make mistakes and as there are human people behind every business mistakes happen. Deal with it, immediately, openly and effectively. The best way to deal with mistakes is to be candid, open and apologetic. People understand that mistakes can me made and they will appreciate it if you openly admit that mistakes have been made and they will be corrected.
Be Responsive
Being responsive is important. Of course, your company doesn't have to answer every complaint with a detailed report, but keeping a good, open communication policy helps to keep your business reputation solid despite of few complaints.
What About Search Engine Marketing
Again, as you build this positive image of your company it will be found online. Your website is extremely important on building this image. Use paid search engine advertising to point to your most positive content, be it news, testimonials and how your company is helping your community to thrive.
It is also important to remember that people like to deal with other people. Tell as much as possible about people who are working in your company; tell about their life, press coverage, honors and awards. Make it real and honest.
Online marketing is all about content. Use that to your advantage. Make press releases and articles about your business. Build a positive looking website. Make it look human. Flood the Internet with positive stories about your business. It is very easy to do and it doesn't cost much.