How to Use Reputation Management Software to Grow Your Business

What does having a good reputation mean for your business? If you're not concerned about your status (or building one), then you're on the path to failure.

Numbers show that 92% of consumers base their buying decisions on customer reviews. People aren't listening to your ads and promotions -- they're looking to see what past customers have to say.

And based on your online reviews, they'll choose to purchase or pass.

If you're not actively managing your reputation, then you're leaving the success of your business to chance. Although this scenario relies on your customers to boost your rep, there are things you can do to improve the odds.

One option is to implement reputation management software into your strategy. Let's take a look at how you can use this tool to grow your small business.

The Case for Online Reputation Management

So we have customers trusting the word of their peers over businesses. And it makes sense. No company will talk about the negatives of their product or service.

However, consumers will happily do it for you.

Now, there are several factors that determine the credibility of your business:

• Positive reviews
• Fresh/recent reviews
• Plenty of reviews
• High ratings
• Authentic reviews
• Your prompt response to positive and negative reviews

You'll need to take this into account when formulating a strategy for your online reputation. Also, keep in mind that a 1-star increase in your rating can grow your revenue by 5-9%.

How Online Reviews Boost Visibility (and Trust)

Your online reputation can hinder or help your business's growth. By focusing on generating positive reviews for your company, you can improve the odds of earning more business.

Just think of the customer's journey:

1. Customer finds a problem or desire
2. Customer researches issue/product/service online
3. Customer searches for local businesses
4. Customer compares products/companies using peer reviews
5. Customer decides on which product/business to purchase

During the third and fourth steps, consumers conducting research and comparing you to other local businesses.

If you have a Google My Business listing, then you'll be able to use reviews to increase your position in the results. The better your ratings and the more reviews you have, the better.

This will help you get to the Google Local 3 Pack, which is the top three businesses Google shares in the search results. The increase in visibility will drive more traffic to your website (and brick-and-mortar). But it's the reviews that will build trust for your brand.

How to Use Reputation Management Software to Boost Reviews

You get the importance of having online reviews, but how do you go about getting them? Having a strategy around your reputation management is key to getting the best results.

This is where reputation management software comes in.

With a customer relationship management tool, you can collect information about your customers, such as names, numbers, addresses, and emails. Armed with this data, you can build relationships with your customers and ask them for reviews.

It's ideal to ask for a review soon after a customer makes a purchase (or after they've had time to use it). This way, they can offer a more thorough review.

You also want to take the time to build relationships with customers to create a pleasant experience with your business. For instance, you can keep track of past purchases to make product/service recommendations.

Personalizing your engagements with your customers will enhance their experience and leave a lasting impression that spills over into their reviews.

And once they do, you'll need a way to oversee customer feedback.

GoSite Reviews offer's a solution that makes managing your online reviews seamless. It enables you to read and respond to reviews right through your dashboard (and send out customer feedback surveys).

Best Practices for Online Reputation Management

Building an excellent reputation for your business is how you'll continue to win over new customers. However, it takes a plan and consistency to achieve long-lasting results.

Here's a look at some of the best practices for improving your online reputation:

• Offer quality services and products (low-quality equals complaints)
• Ask for reviews (nudging customers will increase the odds of them leaving feedback)
• Get to the first page of Google (using local SEO for your website and GMB listing)
• Don't ignore negative reviews (doing so will make you look like you don't care)
• Monitor search and social media mentions (keep an eye on consumer sentiment for you brand)
• Fight back against slander (file complaints with Google if people are creating false negative reviews)

Being active with your online reputation management will make it easier to maintain a positive image for your business.

Don't Sleep On Having Reputation Management Software

It's a lot easier to manage your online image when you have reputation management software. You can use this to stay connected with your customers, send automated review requests, and manage your reviews.

Don't let another year go by without a strategy for online reputation management.

Here's your chance to see how it all works. Sign up to GoSite Reviews for free today!