4 Tips for the Best Online Reputation Management
Today, businesses and medical practices have more opportunity than ever before to reach new customers, clients, or patients online. But when these new leads first lay eyes on your company, what is it that they see? In many cases, it’s the reviews that you have received in the past on platforms like Google, Yelp, and other online directories. A positive online reputation can be a tremendous strength, so conversely, a shaky one can be a significant liability for attracting new business. Needless to say, there is a lot riding on your reputation, which is why online reputation management is of the utmost importance to businesses and practices of all sizes. Today, our digital marketing experts wanted to provide a few simple tips to help whip that online rep into shape.
Tip #1: Take Stock of Your Current Online Reputation
To begin, it’s important to remember that the reviews that you have received in the past can be incredibly telling about what you are currently doing, and specific areas where you can improve. If there are multiple instances of customers or patients having issues with a specific aspect of their experience with you, making an effort to clean that up can help promote better reviews in the future. For example, if you are a doctor’s office and you’ve seen more than one negative review citing overly long wait times, this should be a priority to address with your staff.
Tip #2: Responding to Negative Reviews Can Help
In many cases, people leaving negative reviews online were once loyal customers or patients who feel that they have been wronged in some way. It is also a possibility that the person posting the review is not your client or patient, in which case you need to let them, the directory, and the public know. Making a point to openly and honestly respond to these complaints, whether you feel they are legitimate or not, shows people online a few important things. One, that you care about the experience you are providing with your products or services. Two, that you are willing to talk these things through and work to come up with solutions when possible. Three, that there is actually a person behind the brand name. All of this is very valuable. However, it is important to note that if you are a medical practice, it is important to stay within the confines of patient privacy laws when answering, even if the other person did not.
Tip #3: Make Sure Satisfied Customers/Patients Leave Reviews
There’s an adage online that most people only think to leave reviews when they are unsatisfied. But it doesn’t have to be this way. One of the most surefire ways to improve an online reputation is to encourage happy customers or patients to do the same. Train your staff to mention online reviews while people are checking out. We recommend including QR codes or links to review sites in email marketing campaigns, social media posts, and other marketing materials to make it easier for people.
Tip #4: Hire a Reputation Management Professional
Earning and maintaining a strong online reputation is not done overnight, and can be a very challenging undertaking. Especially when combined with your normal day-to-day activities that you are more focused on. Which is why working with digital marketing experts who offer professional reputation management services, and who are aware of the ongoing guidelines, can be a considerable time-saver and the most effective way to get that reputation to where it needs to be.
It can be hard work, but cultivating your brand’s online reputation can provide a significant boost in revenues and positive sentiment among your customers or patients. For more marketing insights, or for information on our full selection of professional marketing services, contact McCauley Marketing Services to schedule a marketing consultation appointment today. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram for additional marketing tips, industry news, and more.