Business Reputation FAQs
A business builds a good reputation by delivering on its promises, treating customers and employees well, being transparent and accountable when mistakes happen, and consistently acting with integrity. Over time, that reliability earns trust and loyalty.
PR (media relations, reputation management, internal communications) can help convey messages about your values and have a positive impact on the way your business is perceived.
This can be done by seeding out good news stories in all the places your potential customers and other stakeholders (employees, potential customers and recruits) are likely to seek out information about you and your business.
76% of UK consumers say they do research or get inspiration online before they make a purchase. This means it is more important than ever to manage what is found about you when your potential customers or clients type your business name into the search engines. Anything that people say about you, positive or negative, has an impact on your reputation.
If nothing at all comes up with a search of your business name, but there are lots of search results for your competitors, it’s likely that prospective customers will choose your competitors. Likewise, bad publicity can be the difference between the success and failure of a business.
Googling your company name may help identify the following;
- Competitors bidding on your brand name via PPC ads – in which case you may need to consider running a PPC campaign for your business;
- Find positive and negative coverage about your business early which can enable you to promote or, if negative, prevent further stories being released and seen by existing/potential new clients;
- Ensure your website is ranking for its brand name and there aren’t any issues with your SEO. If you find this is the case, our sister company, RMS’ digital marketing team will be able to help.
A comprehensive plan prepared specifically for your business. Typically, it would involve drawing up a list of all the situations that could arise and potentially damage your reputation.
The plan would include practical information; guidance; holding statements; and a protocol to be shared within your organisation so you are ahead of the game should a crisis arise in the future.
Reputation Matters is able to provide such plans at an additional cost to our subscription service.