Google can be a friend or a foe; depends on how you handle your SEO.

Online reputation management depends on many facets & one of the most important ones is your SEO strategy and presence on the coveted first page of Google. It is no news that more than 90% of people don’t go beyond the first page of a Google search when looking for a solution, product, or service. So implementing a proper SEO strategy that helps you increase brand awareness, organic traffic, and positive online reputation is a must for any business or brand these days.

Invest in SEO

Search engine optimization can be a painful and time-consuming exercise. Many businesses that are looking for quick results often focus all their attention on paid acquisitions & ignore SEO. However, it is important to build a strong online foundation for long-term positive results. Start by building a list of relevant branded and non-branded keywords you should be targeting & start producing relevant content that will help you rank on Google’s first page & preferably top three.

When it comes to online reputation management, not every rank is equal

Every business or brand wants to be on the top page of Google, however, you want to make sure those mentions are positive. Any negative article associated with your brand name can cause a lot of damage and actually drive traffic away from your website. It is important to regularly monitor your brand online to avoid any untoward crisis and manage any small negative attention in a timely manner. There are several tools you can use for online monitoring, our favorite is Google Alert; it is free and easy to use.

Don’t fall for vanity metrics

Social media is a very important business tool, but likes and followers don’t always mean business. Whereas Google search (organic or paid) usually brings more qualified traffic than any other source. Therefore, it is important to choose your channels and how much resources you spend on each wisely if you want to succeed and meet your business goals. Making Google a core part of your strategy is usually a good idea for almost any business.

Looking for professionals to help manage your online reputation, get in touch with our dedicated team at info@exillium.com