Online reputation management is the process of creating and implementing online strategies to influence the reputation of your company. If you’re successful, online reputation management can lead to a more positive public opinion about your company. For property development companies, managing your reputation effectively online can lead to increased customer loyalty, trust in your brand and potentially an increase in sales. Let’s take a closer look at what online reputation is, and how to do it.
What does managing your online reputation mean?
The process of managing your reputation involves taking steps to maintain a positive brand and company image online. There are several things you can do to manage the reputation of your company online. This can include tracking brand mentions online and responding and interacting with your customers, bot current and prospective, across a variety of platforms.
Platforms you may use for online reputation management include your own website, social media channels, industry websites, video platforms and product review websites. The process can involve responding to negative mentions or criticism of your brand, interacting and engaging with other mentions online, and building trust and loyalty with consumers.
Why do you need to manage your online reputation?
Online reputation management can be an effective way of improving your brand image. By demonstrating that you’re an active, engaging company that’s prepared to listen to, and interact with customers online, you can develop a much more positive image over time.
Responding well to negative criticism can enhance your brand credibility, build trust and increase engagement levels across different platforms. It can also help to improve overall customer satisfaction scores in the long term, and even contribute to increased sales, as consumers begin to view your company as a reliable, trusted organisation that cares for its customers.
5 steps to managing your reputation online
1. Carry out a brand audit
The first stage to managing your online reputation is conducting an online brand audit. Map out your online presence, including websites, blogs, video content and social media profiles. Review your performance on Google searches and take note of your rankings for search terms relevant to your brand and industry.
2. Monitor brand mentions on social channels
Actively taking part in the social conversation is a great way to start managing your reputation online. Social media channels allow you to interact directly with customers, strengthen your desired brand image and build trust and loyalty. Reacting quickly to mentions online, both positive and negative, can be an effective way to grow your reputation.
3. Invest in SEO
Search engine optimisation (SEO) techniques are an essential element of online reputation management, and brand building in general. SEO is used to improve the performance of your website in search engine rankings, helping your company to appear higher up in Google and other search engine results.
4. Encourage brand advocacy
Adopting a brand advocacy strategy can result in customers promoting and recommending your company online. This can help enhance your reputation. Brand advocacy means focusing on the needs of customers and responding with improvements to your products and services. As a result, you may receive more positive sentiment and mentions online, including on social media and review websites, such as HomeViews.
5. Engage with customer reviews
Monitoring and engaging with online reviews is a useful tool in any company’s online reputation management strategy. This is equally true for property development companies as any other brand. HomeViews’ dedicated resident review platform gives you the ideal opportunity to engage with customer reviews and manage your reputation online. The platform publishes independent reviews from verified residents of the UK’s new build property developments.
You can use the platform to monitor reviews, understand what customers like about your developments and area for improvement. Furthermore, the platform also gives you the chance to respond directly and personally to customer reviews. This can be an effective way of addressing concerns and recognising the positive contribution of customer advocates.
HomeViews provides verified resident reviews of the UK’s housing developments. We’re working with developers, house builders, operators, housing associations and the Government to recognise high performers and help improve standards in the built environment.
