What is Online Reputation Management?

If you have a thriving business and a website that flaunts its success then probably it’s high time to focus on what people actually have to say about you or your company. Building a reputation for your brand might have taken ages but shattering it takes only a few words. The whole world is now on the internet. Like or dislike everything moves faster on the web just like a ripple effect. You might upload a self-composed album just like that on YouTube. If it appeals to all those listening to it, the video will go viral within seconds. Such is the power of the internet and social network of course. If the first half of a new release is unbearable it will be known to the public even before the end of the show. A status on Facebook is enough to create a thread of opinion about the movie.

Such is the power of the internet and social network of course. If the first half of a new release is unbearable it will be known to the public even before the end of the show. A status on Facebook is enough to create a thread of opinion about the movie.

Likewise, if your brand lives up to the expectation of the people then the internet will be brimming with positive reviews about your product. But it is not always possible to make everyone on the internet happy. You might end up getting a few negative comments about your brand and its quality when least expected. What do you do to handle?

This is what Online Reputation Management is all about!

It is not just enough to sit happy with the positive reviews. It is necessary to deal with criticism constructively especially on the internet because word spreads like wildfire on the World Wide Web.

So what do you do if someone criticizes your brand? Firstly you need to analyze whether the criticism is genuine or someone is up to some mischief! Once you are able to track this you can give a fitting reply to criticism. Say for example your brand has launched a mobile phone which comes with a battery life of a bee then critics are bound to pour their hearts out on the drawbacks of the gadget.

All you need to do is to give an ear to the users and find out what when wrong. If you can fix it then send a word across that you can do so. If not stay quiet and give a better product next time your critics will be silenced. So in some cases you have to let your actions speak louder than your words.

But at times you may come across situations where a few mischievous individuals are deliberately doing all that they can to rig your reputation. In that case give them a reply that they well deserve but with a pinch of humor. Since humor at times comes to rescue in putting a point across the table in a very subtle manner. But it makes sure that your thought gets communicated to the lot you are trying to target.
If you wish to preserve the reputation of your business online, all you need to do is this….

1. Keep a track of the social networks and look for any not-so-good reviews about your brand.

2. Address the criticism in the most positive manner possible. If you cannot call humor for help! If things are beyond control stay quite. At least you will not be making the situation any worse.

3. Do not put content or reviews on other sites which may hamper your company reputation.

4. Do not go around stating false information or indulge in practices that hamper your competitors business. Play fair!

5. Do all that you can within and beyond your reach to build trust around your brand or company. In this case, you do not have to do much. Just give the users quality and you are sure to have a loyal user base that stays with for long, really long!

This is all that it takes to protect and sustain your reputation on the internet. Be Good, Do Good and you will get to listen good from the billions of users of the World Wide Web!