1. Set up a Google+ Business account to get found by your customers across Google and boost your Google search rankings. Post engaging content regularly to get your message out, and promote your Google+ page with a badge on your website. Posting on other social platforms such as Facebook and Twitter will also increase your presence in organic site listings.
2. Set up site tracking for your website. Arguably the foundation of online marketing, tools such as Google Analytics are easy to set up and allow you to see where visitors are coming from, which channels are working and which definitely aren’t. You can then invest time and resources accordingly.
3. Get some killer content on your social channels. Customers won’t come and take part in the dialogue if there’s nothing to talk about! A new product, a thought-provoking blog post or even a cool picture, accompanied by a question or call to action is a good way to get the ball rolling. Don’t saturate your pages with content, but be consistent in your updates.
4. Start a blog on your website, and promote the content via social channels. Talk about industry issues, or exciting things you’re doing in-house. Be affable and chatty, and allow readers to make comments. This creates a narrative that can be shared around the internet, and creates a personable identity for your brand, which in turn creates trust and improved reputation.
5. Use an online review solution. Customers trust brands that allow them to be objectively reviewed by other users, which is good for the bottom line – one piece of research suggests that providing a review platform for your customers could result in a 27% uptake in sales. Reviews spark dialogue, which will filter across the internet, establishing your online reputation.
6. Start listening to what people say about your brand/products so you’re aware of what’s being said about your company. Accept that sometimes comments and reviews won’t be positive, but take that opportunity to address any grievances publicly. Customers trust companies that are transparent and responsive, and trust leads to a strong online reputation.
7. Create a plan for monitoring what’s being said. Set up social media monitoring and Google Alerts for your company name to uncover the conversations that are relevant to you as a business, allowing you to get feedback on your online reputation and respond if necessary.
8. Reinforce your reputation with trust signals on your website. Make sure contact details are easy to find, that you display any badges or certificates prominently and that social cues (such as ‘share this’ or ‘tweet this’) are obvious. This is your way of saying, ‘Tell the world what you think about us’, which fosters an atmosphere of good faith and trust.
9. Reach out to your existing customers and tell them about your social channels and review platform. Encourage them to take part in the social conversation, and to leave reviews, and even to give feedback on your brand’s journey. After all, happy, valued customers are your best advocates!
To find out more about online reviews and how to make them work for you download the free eGuide now: How to sell your brand through socially shared reviews
