In today’s digital world, it’s absolutely essential for a business to have an online presence. Furthermore, it’s important to maintain a positive online reputation that is focused on the connection between professional web design, good reviews, and a social media presence. Even if your company doesn’t conduct business online, potential customers expect to see you there. If they don’t, you could be losing out on the opportunity to increase your customer base and get the word out about your business.
At Thrive Web Designs, we know first impressions matter. That’s why we’d like to provide you with the following tips to build and maintain a positive online reputation.
Professional Web Design
Few things contribute to building a positive reputation than a professionally designed website. A high-quality web design helps to sustain visitor interest and motivate potential customers to find more about your business. It’s also been shown that the more time a person spends on your website, the greater the chance they will convert into a customer. That’s why it’s important to ensure you provide potential customers with a great website and quality content that can be found as a result on Google.
Below are some examples of what a professional web design includes:
- High-Quality Design
- Mobile Responsiveness
- Strong & Visible Call-To-Action
- High-Quality Images
- Easy Navigation
- Compelling Content
- SEO Optimization
- Comprehensive Contact Information
- Informational Blog
Furthermore, it’s important to understand the needs of your customers. Take the time to figure out what kind of information they may be looking for when they visit your website. Understanding their needs and knowing what they are searching for will help you develop a solid foundation when building your website and online reputation.
Online Reviews
Did you know that 90% of potential customers read online reviews about your company before deciding to do business with you. This goes without saying that online reviews are extremely important when it comes to your bottom line and online reputation. That said, if you haven’t been keeping an eye on your reviews, you really need to get started. Take the time to find out what people are saying about your business and create a clear online strategy to foster positive reviews and counter any negative ones.
Furthermore, if you find that you don’t have any reviews, it’s important to reach out to your customers for feedback. You can do this by asking for reviews in person, encourage customer check-ins, ask for reviews via email, add a call-to-action to your website or hang visible signs at your business. Most importantly, however, you should never attempt to write fake reviews on your own. This can greatly affect your online reputation once you are caught.
Regardless of the reviews you receive, it’s important to engage and respond to the person who wrote it. Don’t forget to show your appreciation for positive comments and respond professionally to any negative ones. If someone leaves a negative review about your company, this can be your chance to rectify the situation and make the customer happy by turning lemons into lemonade. Never respond negatively to a negative review.
Social Media
Social media is an important part of your online presence and can greatly boost your online reputation. Social media allows potential and existing customers to engage with your business through a platform that plays an important, everyday role in their lives.
Furthermore, having a social media presence for your business is an important part of your online marketing strategy. Used correctly, social media platforms are an effective way to shape your online reputation. Keep in mind, however, not to expect immediate results. A positive social media presence takes time to establish an authentic persona and promote real connections.
As an ongoing process, you will need to be interactive and accessible by responding to comments and questions in order to build good relationships. The last thing you want to do is to leave potential customers waiting. Focus on them by asking what they like in order to keep conversations flowing. Businesses who know how to interact and engage with their online customers are more likely to be remembered over your competition.
Although not every social media platform will be relevant to your business, it’s definitely worth looking into your options. Some of the best social profiles to create and maintain that generally rank well in search results include:
- Youtube
Last but not least, it’s important to claim your local listing and set up a Google My Business company page. Doing so will greatly increase your chances of appearing in organic Google map results. A verified Google listing will also enable you to receive and respond to reviews. This makes it easy for people to get the information they need about your company.
Thrive Web Designs
Whether your business is big or small, it’s important not to be left behind. A positive online reputation is one of the most important investments you can make. If you would like more information on ways to grow and maintain an online presence, contact the team at Thrive Web Designs by filling out our online form or call us at (208) 391-2504. We offer a wide variety of professional web design and marketing services to help you get started.
