In today's digital landscape, customer feedback reigns as the trust currency. As a business owner or marketer, you grasp the significant influence customer reviews wield over your brand's image.

Navigating the vast array of platforms and review formats can resemble a maze. Enter automated customer review funnels - your strategic guide to effectively leveraging reviews for business growth and resilience.

Welcome to a blog post that delves into mastering the art of customer feedback strategies.

Understanding the Power of Reviews

Before we deep dive into automated customer review funnels, it's vital to comprehend why they are indispensable in the modern business ecosystem. Customer reviews are not just a pat on the back or a space for complaints – they are social proof, organic marketing, and invaluable business intelligence.

• Social Proof: Human beings are inherently social creatures, relying on the feedback and validation of others. When a customer leaves a positive review, it acts as social proof, significantly impacting consumer behavior and shaping brand perceptions more effectively than traditional marketing strategies.
• Organic Marketing: The power of word-of-mouth marketing cannot be underestimated, especially in today's digital age. Whether it's a glowing recommendation or a scathing critique, reviews have the potential to go viral, reaching wide audiences organically and providing your brand with invaluable exposure that transcends monetary value.
• Business Intelligence: Each review represents a valuable data point waiting to be analyzed. By examining patterns and sentiments expressed in reviews, businesses can uncover valuable insights into customer preferences, and overall satisfaction levels, and pinpoint areas that require improvement, ultimately guiding strategic decision-making and enhancing the customer experience.

Image Source: Medium

The Anatomy of an Automated Customer Review Funnel

Imagine a marketing process that systematically herds in customer reviews without much manual effort. That's the purpose of an automated customer review funnel – to guide customers to leave reviews on platforms of your choosing, automatically, and, where necessary, with gentle nudges and reminders.

Image Source: involve.me

• Customer Experience (CX) Touchpoints: It's crucial to pinpoint the pivotal moments in your customer's journey where soliciting a review is not only suitable but can also enhance the overall experience. These moments could arise after a purchase, a customer service interaction, or product usage, offering a comprehensive view of their satisfaction levels.
• Optimization for User Convenience: Simplifying the review process is directly linked to increased engagement. By guiding customers to leave reviews on platforms they are already familiar with, you streamline the process, saving time and reducing any potential resistance.
• Timing is Key: Striking the right balance in timing your review requests is vital. Avoid being overly persistent or missing the opportunity to follow up. Well-timed review solicitations can significantly impact response rates and the quality of feedback received.
• Automation Tools: In today's tech-driven world, leveraging automation tools can revolutionize your review management process. These tools seamlessly integrate with your existing systems, automating review requests, tracking responses efficiently, and effectively managing the ensuing data for actionable insights.

As we explore the automation tools that can transform your review management process, reputation management software by DashClicks - deserves special attention. 

This intuitive platform stands out by offering a comprehensive solution to streamline your review generation and management efforts. It enables businesses to automatically send out personalized review requests at optimal times, facilitating a higher response rate.

With the software, you get an all-in-one dashboard to monitor, respond to, and analyze reviews from multiple platforms, turning customer feedback into a powerful driver for continuous improvement and online reputation enhancement.

Implementing Your Automated Review Funnel

Creating your automated review funnel involves several crucial steps:

• ‍Platform Selection: Begin by carefully selecting the platforms where you wish to concentrate most of your reviews. Consider popular sites like Google My Business, Yelp, Trustpilot, or industry-specific review platforms that align with your target audience for maximum impact.‍
• Review Curation: While automated funnels are convenient, it's crucial not to overlook negative feedback. Use this opportunity to address any issues raised swiftly. Implement check-ins for customer satisfaction, offering a chance to resolve concerns before requesting a public review.‍
• Crafting Review Requests: When soliciting reviews, ensure your requests are polite, specific, and reflective of your brand's tone. Provide easy-to-follow links and clear instructions on the purpose of their review to streamline the process.‍
• Incentivization (With Caution): Be cautious when considering incentivizing reviews, as different platforms have varying policies on this practice. Familiarize yourself with the regulations and guidelines of each platform to avoid any penalties or restrictions.‍
• Analysis and Response: Remember that the effectiveness of your automated funnel relies on the actions taken based on the data collected. Regularly analyze the feedback received, respond promptly and appropriately, and leverage the insights gained to drive continuous business enhancements.

The Benefits of an Automated Approach

Automated customer review funnels come with a wealth of advantages that can significantly enhance the efficacy of your feedback collection strategy.

• Efficiency: Automation dramatically reduces the time and resources needed to collect reviews, allowing your team to focus on other critical areas of business.
• Consistency: An automated system ensures that every customer is asked for their feedback, helping avoid any unintentional bias or oversight.
• Timeliness: By soliciting reviews promptly after an interaction or transaction, businesses can capture immediate and relevant customer sentiments, which are more likely to be detailed and genuine.
• Scalability: As your business grows, an automated system can effortlessly scale to handle an increasing volume of customer interactions without a proportional increase in effort or staffing.
• Reputation Management: With a steady and regular inflow of reviews, your business can more swiftly identify and respond to both positive and negative feedback, shaping your online reputation proactively.
• Data Collection: An automated funnel isn't just about gathering reviews; it's also about collecting actionable data that can inform business strategy and customer experience improvements.

Image Source: AIMultiple

The Ethical Consideration of Automating Reviews

The transition towards automating customer reviews heralds efficiency and consistency but also invokes ethical considerations. While the primary goal is to collect authentic customer experiences, the process must maintain the highest ethical standards to retain credibility.

• Transparency: Customers should be aware they're within an automated review process. Never mislead or disguise a request to seem manually personalized if it isn't.
• Authenticity: Automated systems should never be designed to generate fake reviews or suppress negative feedback. Authenticity in customer reviews is paramount for trustworthiness.
• Customer Respect: Automation should not lead to spamming customers. Respect their time and consent, providing easy opt-out options.
• Adherence to Platform Guidelines: The misuse of automated review systems can violate terms for many platforms, potentially leading to penalties. Always abide by the rules of engagement set forth by each review site.

Combining these ethical practices with the convenience of automation ensures the integrity of the review process, concurrently benefiting businesses and preserving consumer trust.

Troubleshooting Common Issues With Automated Review Funnels

Automated customer review funnels are not set-and-forget systems; they require monitoring and fine-tuning to operate at their best. Some common issues you might encounter include:

• Low Response Rates: Even with automation, not every customer will leave a review. To combat this, ensure your review requests are personalized and engaging, and consider segmenting your audience for more targeted prompts.
• Negative Feedback: An automated funnel will sometimes channel through negative feedback. See this as an opportunity rather than a setback. Respond promptly and considerately, turning critics into champions of your improved customer service.
• Technical Glitches: Broken links, non-functioning scripts, or compatibility issues with certain devices can hinder your funnel's effectiveness. Regularly test every component of your automation process and stay updated with the platforms you use.
• Over-automation: While automation is convenient, overdoing it can make your processes seem impersonal. Maintain a balance by personalizing messages and occasionally reaching out in a non-automated, human way.
• Adherence to Policies: Falling foul of platform guidelines can lead to penalization. Regularly review and ensure compliance with the rules of each review platform, especially with regard to incentivization and ethical practices.

Navigate these issues carefully, and you'll keep your automated review funnel running smoothly, bringing a consistent flow of invaluable customer feedback.

The Human Touch: How to Do Automated Reviews Right

While technology can streamline the process of getting more reviews from customers, maintaining a personal touch is fundamental to preserving the heart of customer feedback. Automated doesn't have to mean robotic; by infusing genuine human elements into your communications, you can ensure your requests do not come across as impersonal.

• Personalization: Use the customer's name and reference past purchases or interactions. A personalized message feels more like a sincere request for feedback rather than a generic prompt.‍
• Empathy and Tone: Script the communications to convey warmth and understanding. Express gratitude for the customers' business and let them know their opinion is not just wanted, but valued.‍
• Response to Reviews: When customers leave a review, do not let the conversation end there. Take the time to craft personalized responses to their reviews, whether they’re positive or negative. This interaction shows that your business values its customers and their experiences, encourages loyalty, and can even turn customers into advocates.
• ‍Human Oversight: Ensure there is a member of your team assigned to monitor the automated process. They can step in when needed to handle unique customer situations that fall outside of the typical automated paths.

Embedding these humanized strategies within your automated review funnel can lead to a higher quantity and quality of customer feedback, enhancing overall customer satisfaction and fostering a more engaging brand experience.

In our exploration of automated review funnels, it's worth taking a closer look at the capabilities of the reputation management software by DashClicks. This app exemplifies the integration of automation with customer-centric features, designed to optimize the review management process.

Its user-friendly interface allows businesses to schedule and send out personalized review requests with ease, ensuring that customers receive timely prompts that feel authentic. Moreover, the review management software offers insightful analytics, enabling businesses to monitor review trends, respond to customer feedback promptly, and address concerns efficiently.

Through the software, companies can maintain a vigilant eye on their online reputation, turning the voices of their customers into actionable insights that drive growth and customer loyalty.

Conclusion: The Future of Customer Review Funneling

Automated customer review funnels represent a future where businesses can systematically and transparently collect the most genuine feedback from their customers. While the full automation of this process may seem cold and mechanical, in the right hands, it can serve to enhance the human connection between brand and consumer. By understanding the technology, ethical considerations, and practical application, businesses can build a review funnel that is as efficient as it is effective.

Customers are more willing than ever to share their experiences, and businesses that provide easy, transparent pathways for them to do so will reap the rewards: a stronger reputation, more informed business practices, and a more loyal customer base. With the right strategy, tools, and respect for the review process, automated customer review funnels can be a win-win for businesses and customers alike.

Have you ever received a negative review for your business and felt overwhelmed with how to respond? Responding to customer feedback, particularly the scathing kind, can be nerve-wracking. You want to ensure that customers feel heard while at the same time preserving your company’s public image. It’s a delicate balance!

The good news is that there are well-crafted strategies that you can use to navigate these situations successfully. This blog post takes an in-depth look at crafting meaningful responses even when faced with angry customers – we’ll provide templates and examples on how you can master this art effectively.

What Is a Negative Review and How to Respond to It?

In today's digital world, a negative review can have a massive impact on a business's reputation. A negative review can range from complaints about quality of service, pricing, or simply a matter of unrealistic expectations. Responding to a negative review can be a daunting and stressful experience, but it's essential to understand the importance of providing a prompt and professional response.

• First, acknowledge the reviewer's concerns and apologize for any inconvenience caused.
• Next, offer to rectify the situation, such as a refund or discount for future services.

Image Source: Social Space

Remember to remain calm and objective, and avoid becoming defensive or dismissive of the reviewer's opinion. A negative review can be an opportunity to show potential customers that your business takes customer satisfaction seriously and is committed to improving its services.

Strategies for Creating an Effective Response

1. Don’t Take It Personally

When reading a negative review, it's critical not to take the criticism to heart. Remember, the review is directed towards the product or service, not you personally. It's essential to maintain a level-headed and professional stance. Take the feedback as an opportunity to review and improve your business operations where necessary.

2. Try to Remain Positive

Responding to a negative review can be a daunting task. However, it's crucial to keep a positive tone in your response. Show empathy towards the customer's dissatisfaction and express your commitment to providing better service. This attitude reflects positively on your business and may turn a dissatisfied customer into a loyal one.

3. Offer Solutions

After acknowledging the customer's concerns, it's important to offer a solution. This could be as simple as a refund, replacement, or a discount on their next purchase. By offering a solution, you are showing that your business cares about customer satisfaction and is willing to make amends to improve user experience.

‍

Image Source: Review Trackers

Examples of Responses to Negative Reviews

Example 1: Restaurant

Review: "The food was bland and not worth the price. The service was also slow."

Response:

"Dear [Reviewer's Name],

We regret to hear about your disappointing experience at our restaurant. We always aim to deliver flavorful dishes and efficient service, so it's disheartening to learn that we fell short during your visit. Your feedback regarding the food and service has been noted, and we assure you that we'll use it to improve. We would appreciate another opportunity to serve you better. Please consider returning to our restaurant, and we'd be happy to offer a 20% discount on your next meal.

Best,

[Your Name]"

Example 2: Online Store

Review: "The product arrived late and was damaged. I'm not happy with the purchase."

Response:

"Dear [Reviewer's Name],

We sincerely apologize for your negative experience with our online store. It's very important for us that our customers receive their orders promptly and in perfect condition. We understand how frustrating this must have been for you. We'd like to investigate this issue further and offer you a replacement or a full refund. Please reach out to our customer service team at [Customer Service Email/Phone Number] with your order details.

Kind Regards,

[Your Name]"

Example 3: Hotel

Review: "The room wasn't clean enough and the staff was unhelpful."

Response:

"Dear [Reviewer's Name],

We are truly sorry to hear about your experience at our hotel. We aim to maintain the highest standards of cleanliness and service, and it's clear we missed the mark in your case. Your feedback has been shared with our housekeeping and customer service teams for immediate attention. We value your feedback and would like to offer you a free room upgrade on your next stay with us.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Name]"

Guidelines for Crafting Your Response Templates

Crafting your response templates can save you time and ensure consistency in your brand voice. Here are some guidelines to help you create effective templates:

• ‍Keep It Professional and Polite: Remember, your response will be visible to the public. Always maintain a professional and polite tone, regardless of the nature of the review. Use formal language and avoid slang or jargon.‍
• Personalize Your Responses: While templates can save you time, they should not be generic. Personalize your response by addressing the customer by name and mentioning specific details from their review.‍
• Apologize and Show Empathy: Acknowledging the customer's dissatisfaction and offering an apology can go a long way in mending relationships. Show empathy in your response and make the customer feel heard.‍
• Offer a Solution: Always end your response by offering a solution or a way to rectify the situation. This could be a refund, a replacement, or a discount on a future purchase.‍
• Encourage Offline Communication: For complex issues, it's best to move the conversation offline. Encourage the customer to contact your customer service team directly to resolve their concerns.

Remember, the aim of responding to negative reviews is not only to appease the dissatisfied customer but also to show prospective customers that your business values customer feedback and is committed to resolving issues. Following these guidelines can transform a negative review into an opportunity for positive engagement.

Tips and Best Practices for Responding to Negative Reviews

Navigating through negative reviews can be a challenging task. However, with the right approach, one can turn these situations into opportunities for customer engagement and brand improvement. Here are some tips and best practices for managing negative reviews effectively:

• ‍Respond Promptly: A timely response to a negative review is essential. It shows the customer that you value their feedback and are prompt in addressing their concerns. It also positions your business as responsive, attentive, and customer-centric.‍
• Be Authentic: Authentic responses resonate better with customers. Avoid using a generic, robotic language. Instead, use a tone that is consistent with your brand’s voice and represents its personality.‍
• Ensure Clarity in Communication: Ensure that your responses to negative reviews are clear and easy to understand. Avoid using industry jargon that your customer may not understand.‍
• Acknowledge and Take Responsibility: When a customer leaves a negative review, it's crucial to acknowledge their experience and take responsibility for any mistakes. This demonstrates your business’s commitment to making things right.‍
• Learn and Improve: Use negative feedback as a learning tool. Review the points raised by the customer and consider how you can improve your product or service. This continuous learning and improvement will help prevent similar negative reviews in the future.

Image Source: Zendesk

Remember, every negative review is an opportunity to improve and showcase your commitment to customer satisfaction. By following these tips, you can effectively manage negative feedback and maintain a positive image for your business.

How Reputation Management Software Can Help?

Leveraging reputation management software can significantly streamline your approach to handling negative reviews. This software can automate the process of monitoring and responding to reviews, freeing up valuable time you can invest in improving your business operations.

1. Efficient Review Monitoring

Reputation management software can scan multiple review platforms and alert you whenever a new review is posted, ensuring that no feedback, positive or negative, slips through the cracks. It gives you a comprehensive view of your online reputation, helping you understand customer sentiment towards your business.

2. Prompt Response

Time is of the essence when responding to negative reviews. With automated alerts, you can quickly address negative feedback, showing customers and prospects that you take their concerns seriously and are proactive in resolving issues.

3. Consistent Brand Voice

Most reputation management software solutions have a feature that allows you to create and use response templates. You can customize these templates to maintain a consistent brand voice, ensuring that your responses always align with your brand’s image and values.

4. Data-Driven Insights

Beyond just monitoring and response, reputation management software can analyze reviews (including important KPIs) and provide you with actionable customer insights. These insights can help you identify common issues raised by customers, allowing you to make informed decisions to improve your product or service.

5. Improved Online Presence

Finally, good reputation management software aids in enhancing your overall online presence. It can help improve your rankings on review sites and search engines, making it easier for potential customers to discover your business.

By integrating reputation management software into your customer service strategy, you can navigate the choppy waters of negative reviews more efficiently and use them as a stepping stone toward improved customer satisfaction.

Leverage DashClicks’ Reputation Management Software

If you're seeking a comprehensive and robust solution for managing your business's online reputation, look no further than reputation management software by DashClicks. This platform stands out for several reasons:

1. User-friendly Interface

The software boasts a seamless and intuitive interface, which makes navigating through the features a breeze, even for those without a technical background.

2. Real-Time Alerts

Never miss a review again! The software sends real-time alerts whenever a new review is posted on any of the major review platforms. This ensures that you can respond promptly to both positive and negative reviews.

3. Customizable Response Templates

The software allows you to create and use customizable response templates. By personalizing your responses while maintaining a consistent brand voice, review management software ensures that your business always communicates its core values.

4. Powerful Analytics

The software offers a powerful analytics feature that provides valuable insights into customer feedback trends. This data-driven approach facilitates informed decision-making, helping you improve your products or services based on precise customer feedback.

5. Superior Customer Support

Finally, with online reputation builder, you're not just getting a reputation management app. You're gaining a partner dedicated to helping you succeed. Their top-notch customer support team is always ready to assist you in navigating challenges and maximizing the benefits of the software.

In a digital world where online reputation can make or break a business, DashClicks’ reputation management software offers a comprehensive, user-friendly, and effective solution to help businesses manage their online presence and enhance customer satisfaction.

In Conclusion 

managing negative reviews is an integral part of maintaining a positive brand image. It's not just about mitigating the effects of negative feedback, but about turning a potentially harmful situation into a positive opportunity for customer engagement and business improvement.

Remember that each complaint or critique is a chance to learn and grow. By empathizing with the customer, responding promptly and professionally, offering resolutions, and integrating efficient reputation management software, you can mitigate the impact of negative reviews and enhance your brand's reputation.

Ultimately, the way you handle negative reviews can significantly influence your business's credibility and customers' trust in your brand.

As an agency owner, you surely understand the importance of online reviews for your business. A recent study by BrightLocal showed that more than 77% customers 'always' or 'regularly' read online reviews when browsing for local businesses. It means that if you're a local business, managing your reputation and getting more positive customer reviews is more important than ever.

In this blog post, we'll discuss the importance of local reviews for your business and offer tips on boosting your clients' SEO with good review management.

Why Online Reviews Are Crucial for Businesses?

The internet has changed how consumers make purchasing decisions. In the past, word-of-mouth was the primary way people learned about products and services. Today, potential customers are much more likely to read online reviews before purchasing.

It is especially true for local businesses. People searching for a local business often read and trust online reviews more than traditional advertising promises. Therefore, local companies need to have a strong online presence and a careful review management system in place.

There are a few reasons why online reviews are so important for local businesses. Some of these are:

A. Potential customers can learn a lot about a business from its reviews. Reviews can provide insights into the quality of a business’s products or services and its customer satisfaction.

B. Online reviews help potential customers decide which businesses to patronize. With so many businesses competing for attention, it can be difficult for potential customers to know which ones are worth their time and money. Reading reviews from other customers can help them narrow down their options and choose the businesses that are most likely to meet their needs.

C. Online reviews help local businesses build trust with potential customers. People are more likely to believe what other consumers say than what businesses say about themselves. Therefore, local businesses can create an aura of trustworthiness to attract more customers by ensuring robust review management.

Image Source: AgencyAnalytics

In conclusion, online reviews are crucial for local businesses. They provide potential customers with valuable information, help them make informed decisions, and build trust. Local businesses that want to succeed must ensure a strong online presence and actively manage their reputation.

The Importance of Good Review Management for Businesses

It's no secret that online reviews can make or break a business. In today's age of instant information and social media, a bad review can quickly become a viral sensation, costing a business its hard-earned reputationāand customers.

That's why it's more important than ever for businesses to take control of their online review management. By tracking, monitoring, and responding to good and bad reviews, companies can protect their brand reputation, build customer trust, and improve their bottom line.

Here's a closer look at the importance of good review management for businesses:

1. Builds Customer Trust

In today's digital world, customers are inundated with choices. And when it comes to making a purchase, they often turn to online reviews to help them make an informed decision.

By actively managing your online reviews, you can show potential customers that you're engaged with your customers and care about their experience. It builds trust and credibility, which can ultimately lead to more sales.

Image Source: Mention

2. Improves SEO Rankings

When it comes to search engine optimization (SEO), online reviews can be extremely beneficial. Google uses hundreds of ranking factors to determine where your website appears in search results, and online reviews are one of them.

Moz found that websites with positive reviews are almost twice as likely to rank higher in search results than those with no reviews.

Also, BrightLocal found that in 2020, 79% customers trusted online reviews as much as the recommendations of family and friends. So not only will actively managing your online reviews help improve your local rankings, but it will also help build trust with potential customersāa total win-win!

Image Source: Mention

3. Increases Sales & ROI

Businesses want two things: more traffic and more sales. Luckily, online reviews can help with both! Studies have shown that positive online reviews can increase website traffic by up to 10%, while negative reviews can decrease it by up to 15%.

Moreover, 95% of consumers say that positive online reviews influence their buying decisions, while 86% say that negative online reviews influence their decision not to buy. So, managing your online reputation is essential whether you're trying to increase traffic or sales (or both!).

Tips to Boost Your Clients' SEO With Positive Reviews

If you're looking to boost your clients' SEO, one of the best things you can do is encourage them to get more positive reviews. Not only will this help improve their ranking in search engines, but it will also make them more visible to potential customers.

1. Provide Incentives

There are a few ways to get more positive reviews, but one of the most effective is offering incentives. It could be anything from a discount on their next purchase to a freebie for writing a review. Whatever you decide, make sure it will motivate your customers to take the time to write a review.

2. Ensure Accessibility

Another great way to get more positive reviews is to make it easy for customers to write them. For example, if you have an online store, include a link to your review page in the confirmation email customers receive after making a purchase. You can also include links on your social media accounts and any other marketing materials you use.

3. Respond to Every Review

Finally, don't forget to respond to all the reviews you receive, both positive and negative. It shows that you value your customer's opinions and are willing to take feedback seriously. It can also help build customer relationships and encourage them to leave even more positive reviews.

Tip: To build trust in a business and develop its credibility through its online presence, you can align local SEO tactics and online reputation management strategies.

How to Encourage Customers to Leave Positive Reviews?

Online reviews can make or break a business. A quick glance at Google, Yelp, or TripAdvisor will show that potential customers often consult reviews before purchasing or booking a service.

Image Source: Mention

A study by BrightLocal found that 7 out of 10 consumers will leave a review for a business if asked to. So, how can you encourage your customers to leave positive reviews? Below are some tips:

1. Provide Excellent Customer Service

This one should be a no-brainer. Your customers are more likely to leave positive reviews if you provide excellent customer service. Make sure your staff is friendly and helpful, and go the extra mile to make your customers' experience with your business memorable.

2. Ask For Feedback

If you want customers to leave positive reviews, you need to ask them for feedback. At the end of each transaction, simply ask your customer if they are satisfied with their experience and if they would recommend your business to others. If they say yes, ask them if they would leave a review on your Google Business page or other platforms. Chances are your customers will say yes, and you'll have a stream of positive reviews to bolster your business!

3. Respond to Negative Reviews

If you receive a negative review, don't ignore itārespond to it! Thank the customer for their feedback and try to resolve the issue they had. By responding publicly to negative reviews, you show potential customers that you care about your customers' experiences and will make things right if something goes wrong.

What to Do if You Receive a Negative Review?

A negative review can be a frustrating experience, whether you're a business owner, a creator, or anyone else. But it's important to remember that not all feedback is created equal. A well-meaning negative review can be helpful, while a malicious one can do more harm than good.

If you receive a negative review, you should first take a deep breath and calm down. It's easy to let emotions get the better of us when we feel like we're being attacked, but it's important to remember that not all feedback is personal. Once you've calmed down, you can assess the situation objectively.

It can be helpful if the review is constructive and based on valid concerns. Use it as an opportunity to improve your product or service. If the reviewer is venting their frustrations, it's best to ignore it. Responding to trolling or negativity only serves to fuel the fire, so it's best to let it go.

There are times when a negative review can't be ignored. If someone is making false claims or spreading misinformation about your business, it's important to set the record straight. It's also important to remain calm and professional while doing so.

Remember that a negative review is not the end of the world, no matter what kind of complaint the reviewer had. Use it as an opportunity to learn and grow, or let it roll off your back and move on with your day.

Image Source: Trustmary

The Importance of Monitoring Your Online Reputation

It's no secret that our reputations follow us online. 84% of employers use social media to screen candidates in the hiring process, and 70% of adults have Googled themselves. With so much at stake, it's important to be proactive about managing your online reputation as a business owner.

Here are four reasons why you should start monitoring your online reputation today:

1. To Stay Ahead of the Curve

In today's digital age, it's more important than ever to stay ahead of the curve regarding your online reputation. By monitoring your online presence and reviewing the things customers are saying about you, you can identify and address any negative content before it has a chance to do serious damage.

2. To Protect Yourselves From Identity Theft

Identity theft is a serious problem, and it's only getting worse. By monitoring your online reputation, you can help protect yourselves and your business from identity thieves who may try to use your or your customers' personal information for nefarious purposes.

3. To Keep Your Clients Happy

As we have established above, potential customers screen your business using social media or online review platforms before making a purchase. By monitoring your online reputation, you can ensure that your social media profiles and public review pages reflect your business in the best light possible.

4. To Maintain Your Privacy

As we all become more connected online, it's important to remember that not everything we share should be public information. By monitoring your online reputation, you can ensure that the only data that is public about your business is what you want to share.

Online reviews are crucial if you're a business owner. They can make or break your business, especially if you're a local one.

It means that managing your online reputation is key to success. But how do you do that? Here are some tips:

• Ensure that you have a strong review management strategy in place. It means actively monitoring what’s being said about your business online and responding to positive and negative reviews on time.
• Encourage customers to leave positive reviews by offering incentives like discounts or coupons. You can also make it easy for them to leave reviews by providing links on your website or social media pages.
• If you receive a negative review, don’t panic. Instead, take the time to respond professionally and try to resolve the issue. If necessary, reach out to the customer offline to continue the conversation.

Monitoring your online reputation is essential for any business owner. By following the tips above, you can ensure that your business is on the right track and has only good reviews to encourage potential customers to interact with your brand.

Summing Up

Online reputation management is the need of the hour, and is especially crucial for local businesses. By ensuring a pristine reputation, businesses can attract more potential customers and keep the existing ones happy.

On the other hand, a negative or bad online reputation can do more harm than you imagine. Not only will it prevent potential customers from reaching out to you, but it can also affect existing customer relationships and even impact your bottom line.

Monitoring and carefully responding to online reviews, both positive and negative, is essential to keep your business flourishing despite all the noise.

If you're still unsure of what to do, get in touch with us today!

If you think about it, local SEO tactics and online reputation management strategies aim to achieve the same goal - To build trust in a business and develop its credibility through its online presence.

Online reputation management refers to maintaining a positive public image of your business. Local SEO, on the other hand, helps drive traffic to a site by boosting its visibility online. Now, if you see, all of this translates to one thing ā aligning local SEO tactics with online reputation management strategies will be one of the best things you can ever do for your business.

But how can you align both of these? Keep reading to know more!

Online Reputation Management (ORM)

Before we move on to our main subject, let's discuss some basic terms that you should know.

Firstly, how do you define online reputation management?

Online reputation management means taking control of the online conversation. The strategies and techniques of ORM make sure that individuals find accurate information when they search for your business on the web. It simply helps you put your best foot forward.

Essentially, the aim of ORM is to counteract misleading trends and strike a balance.

Take a look at the different online reputation management activities:

1. Social Media Management

Over the years, social media has transformed into a business hub. If you open a popular social media platform, you can easily see businesses and consumers communicating on it. Chances are, you yourself might be using different social media platforms to communicate with brands.

Now, the great news is, Google recognizes social signals. Hence, some of the things that can help your business with ORM and ranking are having different social media profiles and maintaining continuous activity on your social media accounts.

Image Source: SproutSocial

Examples of reputation management activities on social media include reacting to posts, replying to reviews, scheduling regular posts, and answering questions.

2. Listing Building

Listing building refers to the creation of listings for every relevant citation, including famous directories and niche listing websites. There is also a benefit linked to a higher number of citations ā increased visibility in search.

3. Listing Management

Listing management means regularly updating the information of your business. You also reply to every review of your business (negative or positive). Google views these activities as citations and review signals and hence they are very crucial for your business.

Image Source: SMS

Another important part of listing management are photos. Make sure your business photos are the most recent ones and also relevant.

Note: Google favors listings containing all filled-out sections as compared to listings containing only contact details. So, ensure you fill out every section for Google to take note of!

Aligning Local SEO Signals With ORM

Every reputation management practice is a signal that Google uses in local SEO for the purpose of ranking businesses. Take a look at these local SEO signals:

1. Citation Signals: These signals include the number of citations and the consistency of business information across citations. Here's an important note ā popular listing sites and directories like Yellow Pages, Yahoo, and Bing Places are high-quality and trustworthy sources in the eyes of Google.

2. Google Business Profile Signals: Google Business Profile sets up a local business via Google Maps with the help of signals such as NAP data, proximity, and categories.

3. On-page Signals: Keywords are incredibly important for on-page signals. Google looks for them in the tags, metadata, and landing page titles. It also considers the relevance of these keywords across a website.

4. Review Signals: Examples of these signals include keywords used, the number of reviews, and the number of reviews having text and not only just a star rating.

5. Social Signals: As social media users have started liking as well as sharing business pages, search engines have started to count social signals as a factor in ranking. These signals include mentions from community websites like Reddit and the volume of shares, comments, and likes on different social networks.

Image Source: LinkedIn

Google uses all of the signals mentioned above as ranking factors. These signals pair well with the following online reputation practices:

1. Listing Management: Proper listing management means keeping the information updated and filled out on every applicable listing website. This improves searchability while keeping a positive reputation.

2. Website Management: A web page with a poor design will only give a hard time to the users who interact with it, diminishing your online reputation. To keep your online reputation positive, you need to create webpages that have an intuitive design, offer ease of use, and contain clean on-site copy incorporated with the necessary keywords.

3. Social Media Management: This ORM practice includes on-brand posting carried out on a frequent basis. Ensure you have accounts on those social media profiles that your target audience hangs out on.

4. Review Management: You know what's key to a good online reputation? Prompt replies to both negative and positive reviews. Another practice that adds to the reputation of a business is review requests.

The combination of reputation management practices and local SEO tactics set your business up for success. The right practices and solutions help businesses boost their local search rankings.

Image Source: Synup

The Local SEO Tactics to Follow

Here are some best practices to follow to improve your local SEO rankings and get the benefit of combining both your local SEO and ORM efforts:

1. Local Citation Building

Make sure you focus on Google Business Profile, Yelp, Bing Places for Business, and Yellow Pages. Ensure you are aware of review websites and other citations that apply to your business. Apart from this, all your business information needs to be correct and filled out.

2. Local Link Building

You know what is one of the most powerful tactics for boosting local SEO rankings? It is local link building. Backlinks are defined as links on one site that point to another site.

Today, you can use a variety of tactics to build a network of links. And the good news is, local businesses can create backlinks more easily than franchises or large stores. The reason behind this? They can ask other businesses, community groups, and local papers for a backlink, all thanks to the strong support of their community that they have with them.

Note: Before you link with a site, check if Google considers the linked site as a trusted source. For this, it should have a Domain Authority of 40 or higher. Use the domain analysis tool by Moz to check for Domain Authority. Another metric to check out is ā€�Domain Rating,ā€¯ which you can measure with Ahrefs.

Build Your Credibility Online With DashClicks' Reputation App

Wouldn't it be simple for your business if you had one software that helped you quickly gather reviews from around the internet and respond to them at any given time from a dashboard?

Enter, DashClicks' Reputation app.

This highly reliable reputation management software helps you manage your reviews across different sources from one dashboard. This, in turn, saves time and also helps you win more customers!

If you decide to use the app, you can currently integrate your Google My Business reviews and Facebook reviews. This best-in-class app also helps you track your average rating, peak performance months, and best review sources.

Another interesting feature of the app that you should know of is ā it enables you to invite customers to leave business reviews by sending them SMS messages and emails with a single press of a button. You can also share your public review page with contacts and customers around the internet to get more reviews and useful feedback.

Further Reading:How DashClicks' Reputation Management Software Can Help You Protect Your Brand Online.

Wrapping It Up

The alignment of both local SEO tactics and online reputation management practices helps contribute to creating an excellent online presence for your business. Also, when your site starts to rank higher in search, it becomes even more crucial that it functions intuitively and looks fantastic to anyone who finds it online. Needless to say, ORM and local SEO should always happen simultaneously in order for you to see the best results for your business.

Can you recount the last time you selected a restaurant without going through its online reviews? Today, checking out online reviews before trying out a service or a product is not limited to dining or entertainment alone. In this day and age, buyers heavily depend on what people are saying online about all kinds of businesses.

If you look at the statistics, 91% of people in the 18-34 age group trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations.

Considering this, you can easily tell one thing. If a person searches for or comes across your business on the web, your online reputation determines how they perceive your brand.

Therefore, it is important to know that the online reputation of your brand is “everything” today! Online reviewing is like digital word-of-mouth marketing. It can influence whether or not prospects purchase from your business.

Given that people consider a brand’s online reputation before making a purchase, it has become more important than ever to know about ORM. It is short for Online Reputation Management. ORM is all about creating a positive online narrative around your business. It proactively influences the kind of information individuals will find about your business online.

Simply put, ORM is an ongoing task that creates and maintains your brand name as well as its good standing.

Why Does Online Reputation Management Matter?

Always remember, individuals, are talking about you irrespective of the size of your business. These people can be your clients, customers, prospects, and friends. Even as we speak, they could be posting a comment on your blog, tweeting about your current product, posting on Facebook about their experience, and doing a lot more.

Keeping this in mind, you need to put in ORM efforts for the purpose of protecting or restoring your brand image. ORM manages content in search engines. Moreover, it encourages satisfied clients to provide more positive feedback.

Image Source

The Top Content Types Which Hurt Your Brand's ORM

Let's discuss the types of content that can hurt your business:

1. Negative Feedback on Social Media

You can get negative reviews on social media portals such as Instagram and Facebook. During this time, ensure you provide a speedy resolution. Negative reviews are inevitable and responding to and resolving customer complaints does not tarnish the reputation of your business permanently.

2. Online Reputation Bombs

Poor online reputation can impact your reputation and sales for an extremely long time. They are incredibly powerful because of their prominence in search engine results.

Some examples of defamatory content that can appear in Google’s search results about a company are:

• Negative Reviews: Review sites allow customers to express their opinion on a specific business. On these sites, they answer if they liked your product/service and will recommend it to others. Negative reviews on these websites can impact your sales.
• Negative Media Coverage: Unfavorable print, TV, and online media coverage negatively affect brands and companies.
• Hate Sites: People can also create an ad hoc website on which they express their opinions and even post illegal content it. These so-called “hate sites” sometimes attack public figures and companies with false information and insults. A search result such as “The truth about YOURCOMPANYNAME” for instance can make your prospects change their mind about purchasing from you.

The Key to ORM: Check What People Say About Your Business

As we mentioned above, people are constantly talking about your brand, products, and services online. You should make it a point to listen to these people to manage your online reputation. And for this, you can use social media monitoring tools.

For instance, you can do social media monitoring for your business via Google Alerts. It helps you monitor the web for mentions of your business. All you need to do is sign into your Google account, visit the Google Alerts page, and enter a phrase or a keyword in the search box.

You will get a notification on your email each time Google finds a result that holds relevance to your alert criteria. Also, you can easily set alerts for specific languages and regions.

Image Source

Online Reputation Management Tips

Given that we live in a digital era, nothing can protect your business from criticism. To help you remain on top of your reputation, there are some practical tips that you can follow. Apart from making efforts to become well-respected in your field, here are some useful tips you can implement:

A. Check Your Google Results

Always pay close attention to your Google results. If the words “rip off” and “scam” are linked with your business, then it is something that must concern you. Implementing a strong SEO strategy is your best answer to negative reviews, false reports, and negative press.

B. React Fast But Politely

Ensure you respond quickly but politely to a customer complaint. For instance, if a customer writes a complaint on Twitter, you can reply with a simple and prompt response, such as:

“Thanks for making us aware of the problem. We are working on it and will get back to you as soon as possible.” This is better than a late reply, even if you communicate more information in it.

C. Focus on Improving Yourself

Sometimes criticism can offer an opportunity to know more about your audience and create a better message for them the next time.

Best Practices for Online Reputation Management

To monitor and manage your brand reputation online, you can follow some best practices. Let's discuss some of these practices in detail:

1. Your Business Needs to Be Transparent

Today, brands are required to be completely transparent. When you share the good and the bad about your brand, this means you are transparent with your audience. The benefit you get out of it is simple - it helps build trust among your audience.

Now, you may wonder how to “be transparent.” Let’s discuss some of the ways in which you can do that:

• Requesting feedback
• Letting employees talk about services and products publicly
• Establishing a one-to-one communication channel
• Addressing criticism publicly

2. Update Your Digital Handles Regularly

Ensure that you make a complete profile of your business on professional and social media platforms. Moreover, make it a point to create a consistent and cohesive brand presence on landing pages, social pages, and other digital media handles. You must use the same colors, logo, and content tonality during this time.

3. Encourage Your Satisfied Customers to Write Reviews

You can always encourage your happy customers to write a testimonial or review for your business. This way, your prospects get to read positive and honest opinions about your brand. To help your customers leave a review, provide them with a link or send them an email.

Note: Make sure that you thank the customers who have left a positive review.

4. Respond to Negative Reviews

Make it a point to respond to negative reviews promptly. Try to think hard of a solution to reply back with. Providing a resolution helps curb the damage a negative review can cause. If you respond with an apology without a solution, then it just feels empty.

Tip: If the mistake is from the customer's side, ensure that you gently point it out. Refrain from using foul or sarcastic language.

All in all, when you publicly respond to negative reviews, it shows that you are a brand that acknowledges its mistakes and is more than willing to rectify them.

Image Source

Conclusion

The first step towards managing your online reputation is listening to what your audience has to say and searching for ways in which you can connect with them. Building an SEO strategy and responding to online criticism are other crucial steps that you need to follow.

If you haven't started to build your brand's online narrative yet, it is time you start now! Because believe it or not, people may be putting up reviews, vlogging, or talking online about your products as we speak.