Newbie Business? Online Rep is Like Your Digital Super Hero Cape: You Need It, But Don't Show It Off

Congratulations, you've birthed a beautiful (hopefully) business into the bustling online world! Now, before you start blasting social media with "Buy my stuff!" please, let's talk about something crucial, yet rarely discussed: online reputation management (ORM).

Think of ORM as your super hero cap. It's essential, provides support, and shapes how others perceive you, but you don't exactly want to be shouting about it from the rooftops (unless you're in a very niche market, in which case, more power to you).

Here's why ORM is like gold for newbie businesses (NSBs):

1. Reviews are the New Word-of-Mouth:

Remember the good ol' days when people actually talked to each other? Well, those days are kinda gone. Now, a whopping 91% of consumers say online reviews directly influence their purchasing decisions ([source: BrightLocal Consumer Review Survey 2023]), making them the new town criers. One bad review can sink your online ship faster than a leaky bucket, while a string of glowing ones can propel you to the top of the search results like a digital jetpack.

2. Trust is the Name of the Game:

Building trust takes time, but ORM is like hitting the fast-forward button. By showcasing happy customers and actively managing your online presence, you're basically saying, "Hey, we're legit, and we care!" This transparency builds trust and credibility faster than you can say "social proof," which, according to Sprout Social's Index™ 2023, is 72% of consumers' decision-making factor when choosing a business.

3. Standing Out in the Jungle of Businesses:

The business world is more crowded than a Black Friday sale. ORM helps you stand out from the camouflage. By cultivating a positive online rep, you become the brightly colored parrot in the flock, attracting new customers and keeping existing ones from flying the coop (sorry, couldn't resist the bird puns). Did you know a strong online reputation can increase your customer base by up to 90% ([source: Podium])? Now that's something to squawk about!

4. Social Proof is Your New Best Friend:

Positive online reviews and social media mentions are like having a squad of cheerleaders singing your praises. This social proof influences customer behavior. When potential customers see others raving about your business, they're 50% more likely to try your product or service ([source: Nielsen]).

5. Negative Reviews? No Sweat (Well, Maybe a Little):

Let's face it, negative reviews happen. But with a proactive ORM strategy, you can turn frowns upside down (metaphorically, of course). By responding promptly, politely taking responsibility, and fixing the issue, you show customers you care and turn a potential disaster into a chance to shine. In fact, 70% of consumers say that how a business responds to negative reviews shapes their perception of the brand ([source: ReviewTrackers]).

Here's the TL;DR for NSBs:

• Claim your online listings (like Google My Business and Yelp) and make sure they're sparkling clean.

• Encourage happy customers to leave reviews (with pizza bribes if necessary).

• Keep an eye on what people are saying about you online.

• Respond to reviews, good or bad, like a champ.

• Be active on social media and build relationships with your audience.

By prioritizing ORM, you'll build a strong online reputation that will attract customers, boost your business, and maybe even make you the envy of your competitors (just don't tell them your secret weapon is basically digital underwear).

Acquire and embrace those coveted 5-star reviews effortlessly with Graceful Reach Marketing. Manage, respond to, and challenge any less-than-stellar feedback directly from our dashboard, covering platforms like Google, Facebook, and beyond! Your reputation is under your control, at the click of a button.

Turn customer reviews into your competitive edge. Get new reviews, manage them, and promote them across the web. All from one dashboard.

https://gracefulreach.com/products