Reputation management is the practice of monitoring, maintaining, and improving a company or individual’s reputation online. This process primarily involves getting more positive reviews, pushing down negative content in search results, and building a strong overall online presence.
In today’s digital world, online reputation is absolutely critical for any small business.
According to Reputation X, 97% of consumers search online for local businesses and 12% do so on a daily basis.
Additionally, Status Labs reports that 95% of people say positive reviews make them more likely to frequent a business.
Therefore, active reputation management is essential for small businesses to build trust, improve local SEO rankings, and generate more customers in a competitive market.
Benefits of Reputation Management for Small Businesses
Reputation management provides numerous important benefits for small businesses looking to improve their online presence and brand image. The key advantages include:
- Increased Positive Reviews and Testimonials: Reputation management services help small businesses generate more positive online reviews on sites like Google, Facebook, and Yelp. These reviews provide social proof and build trust with potential customers.
- Pushing Down Negative Content: These services monitor the web for negative reviews or harmful content about your business. They use search engine optimization tactics to push down unflattering results and highlight positive content instead.
- Improved Local SEO and Search Rankings: By building credible positive content about your business, reputation management improves your local SEO and search engine rankings. This process makes it easier for customers to find your business online.
- Increased Customer Trust and Conversion Rates: With more positive online content and reviews, customers are more likely to trust and ultimately convert into paying clients for your small business. Reputation management directly translates into increased sales and revenue.
What Reputation Management Companies Do
Reputation management companies offer a wide range of services to improve and monitor a business’s online reputation. Some of the key services they provide include:
- Monitor online reviews and social media mentions: They track mentions of your business across review sites like Yelp and Google, as well as social media.
- Respond to negative reviews: They help craft thoughtful responses to negative reviews, allowing you to turn dissatisfied customers into brand advocates. Quick, empathetic responses can boost credibility.
- Generate positive reviews and testimonials: Companies may provide email and text campaigns to request reviews from happy customers. This practice drowns out negative feedback with positive experiences.
- Create and optimize online profiles: Complete and optimize profiles on key sites to help you rank higher in local search results. This process improves visibility and credibility.
- Suppress outdated or irrelevant content: Companies submit content removal requests to sites hosting outdated, erroneous, or irrelevant information that may hurt your reputation. This process removes credibility-damaging content.
- Provide ongoing reputation analysis and consulting: Customized monthly or quarterly reports analyze your online reputation across the web. Consultants interpret data and offer strategic recommendations tailored to your brand.
Choosing a Reputation Management Company
When selecting a reputation management company to work with, there are several key factors small businesses should consider:
- Industry Experience and Expertise: Look for companies with extensive background in reputation management, especially those with experience serving small business clients in your specific industry. They will understand your business goals and reputation needs.
- Services Offered: Examine the range of reputation management services out there. Many companies offer monitoring, content creation, review generation, SEO, and consulting services. Choose a company that provides the services you need.
- Pricing and Contracts: Compare pricing models across companies. Most offer monthly contracts lasting 6-12 months with economy and premium packages. Understand all costs, terms and cancellation policies.
- Company Reputation: Research online reviews and testimonials for the reputation company itself. A credible firm will have overwhelmingly positive feedback.
- Small Business Focus: Look for reputation management firms that specialize in small and local businesses. They will tailor services to your budget and needs.
Taking time to thoroughly evaluate potential reputation management partners will help you find the right fit for your small business.
Cost of Reputation Management
Reputation management services are not free, but well worth the investment for most small businesses. Packages typically start around $300/month according to industry experts like WebFX. Prices can range higher depending on the scope of services each unique business requires.
When researching reputation management companies, small businesses will find a range of economy, standard, and premium packages. Economy packages cover the basics like review monitoring and responses. Standard packages add more services like social media monitoring. Premium packages include the full suite of reputation management services.
Most reputation management companies require 6-12 month contracts to fully deliver results over an ongoing period. The return on investment from an improved online reputation makes the monthly costs worthwhile for small businesses who rely heavily on their reputation.
While not free, investing in professional reputation management pays dividends through increased positive reviews, higher rankings, greater customer trust, and ultimately more business. The long-term benefits outweigh the monthly costs for most small business owners.
Top Reputation Management Companies for Small Businesses
There are many reputation management companies that cater to small businesses. Based on industry reviews and rankings, here are 5 top options:
ReputationStacker
Thousands of businesses use ReputationStacker to get more online reviews and turn their customers into raving fans on any online review site.
The results speak for themselves:
- +246% reviews on Google.
- +87% reviews on Yelp.
- +173% reviews on Facebook.
The average ReputationStacker user triples their review count in the first 3 months!!!
Reputation.com
Founded in 2006, Reputation.com is one of the most well-known reputation management companies. They offer services like review monitoring, review generation, social listening, and online privacy. Reputation.com has worked with over 250,000 businesses and focuses on customers in healthcare, retail, automotive and other sectors.
WebiMax
WebiMax is an award-winning digital marketing company that provides reputation management services alongside SEO, PPC and web design. Specific reputation solutions include review generation, negative review removal and online brand monitoring.
WebiMax has over 1,500 clients across industries like healthcare, legal and real estate.
NetReputation
Founded in 2010, NetReputation focuses exclusively on reputation management. They help clients generate more positive reviews, eliminate harmful content and take control of their online presence. NetReputation offers custom packages for businesses of all sizes.
According to Meltwater, NetReputation is a top choice for personal and professional reputation management.
BrandYourself
BrandYourself, launched in 2009, provides DIY reputation management tools for individuals and businesses. Their online dashboard allows you to monitor brand mentions, social media, and reviews. BrandYourself also offers coaching and done-for-you services.
BrandYourself has served over 500,000 users. They have positive reviews from Forbes, Entrepreneur and other leading publications.
Birdeye
Birdeye is a comprehensive reputation experience platform for local businesses. Beyond reputation management, they provide solutions for online listings, review generation, social media marketing, and business insights. Birdeye offers flexible, customized packages.
Birdeye has an A+ rating on BBB and positive reviews on G2, Capterra and other platforms.
Conclusion
Reputation management is essential for small businesses who want to improve their online visibility, increase positive reviews and enhance their credibility. By partnering with a qualified reputation management company, small businesses can get help responding to negative feedback, generating authentic positive testimonials, optimizing online profiles and pushing down irrelevant or false content.
When choosing a reputation partner, small businesses should look for industry expertise, breadth of services, competitive pricing and focus on small business clients. Though costs vary, reputation management services typically start around $300/month for entry-level packages; however, the ROI in more revenue and customers can quickly offset the fees.
Top reputation service providers like ReputationStacker, Reputation.com, Webimax, NetReputation and BrandYourself cater their solutions to small businesses across industries. By prioritizing their online reputation, small companies can gain the trust and confidence of prospects to grow their customer base.
Business owners interested in improving their online presence can visit the websites of the reputation companies in this article for more information and to request custom quotes.
