Original Article from IntelliSites, the smart choice for web design (and SEO!)
Your reputation – it’s everything to you and your business. You work hard to be known as a quality, trustworthy business and drive referrals to your door. Once upon a time, you could just monitor what the local business reporter had to say about you, but no longer. Now you need to be concerned with what’s being said about you online.
Some might suggest just ignoring your online brand reputation (if you don’t know it’s bad, how bad could it be, right?). That’s bad advice, friend. Follow this quick primer on monitoring your online brand reputation.
Set up an alert system through Google or Yahoo. You can choose the keywords that you want reports on, and these services will send regular updates on where those keywords are showing up online.
Troll online forums and referral websites. Websites like Angie’s List are increasingly popular, where your customers can post reviews on your work. Use this feedback as market research and as a virtual focus group to determine how to tweak your product or service.
Check in with the places your customers frequent. Do they tweet, use Facebook, read a certain blog or online version of a publication? Search the archives and entries on these websites to get the “inside scoop” on what people really think about you. Reply to commentors, moderators and contributors and offer your perspective on the situation.
You could also consider hiring the help of a web company with Search Engine Marketing (SEM) experience to patrol the internet for you and develop practices. Most importantly, be active in promoting a positive brand experience online and check in often. The web waits for no one!
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