As businesses are increasingly Web-based and mobile, shoring up consumer trust is becoming more important all the time—which is why many companies are reaching out to online reputation management agencies, like Reputation Changer.
NEW YORK, May 14, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- For businesses in the Digital Age, consumer trust is one of the most powerful forms of currency there is. A recent article from the Huffington Post makes this clear, illuminating both the benefits of consumer trust and the ways in which online technology makes it more important than ever. The article notes that consumer trust is what keeps a consumer giving their business to a particular company, time and time again, but it is also what draws customers to try new products. Consumer trust, in other words, is important both for gaining and retaining customers. And as more and more consumers buy products online, surrounded by the presence of Web-based ads and social media, it means that consumer trust is increasingly determined by online reputation—which is why more and more companies are finding it beneficial to enlist the online reputation management services of a company like Reputation Changer.
Mark Reffert, who serves as Senior Strategist for Reputation Changer, says the Huffington article illuminates the heightened importance that consumer trust plays in today's business world. "The pervasive power of the Internet has absolutely made consumer trust a more pressing matter for businesses," he explains. "Thanks to Google, a user can just click a few buttons and immediately gain information about whether a company is reputable or not."
Reffert notes that, on the face of it, this may seem like a positive thing for businesses. "It is certainly true that there are real opportunities here," he says. "A business can leverage the power of social media to portray trustworthiness and transparency. A company with a really excellent social media presence can establish a meaningful rapport with consumers, and that translates into increased customer retention and ultimately better sales figures."
A company's online reputation is not entirely within its own control, however. Reffert says attacks can come from many different sources. "It may be a negative review from a customer, or it may be a libelous attack from a rival," he says. "Regardless of where a negative attack comes from or how truthful it is, the effect it can have is often devastating."
The effect of a negative review, or an attack from a rival, is only made sharper in the Digital Era, Reffert continues. "All a consumer must do is type the name of your brand into Google, Yahoo, or Bing, and any negative reviews will likely be right there at the top of the page," he says. "From there, it's not difficult to search for rival companies. It's never been easier for consumers to find negative reviews and take their business elsewhere."
That, ultimately, is why many companies choose to enlist an online reputation management service. Reffert says his own company has worked with small businesses, Fortune 500 companies, medical practices, law firms, and more.
He also says that the benefits offered by an online reputation management service are plentiful. "Warding off bad reviews and libelous attacks requires constant vigilance, which is what a reputation defense company can provide," he says. "We can monitor online search listings around the clock, and ultimately help to manage and control public perception of any given business. We can establish the brand of our client as a brand of choice among customers."
Online reputation management is not just about brand enhancement, though. "Really, it's all about the bottom line," Reffert offers. "Companies love to see their names cleared, and their brands to become synonymous with trust, but even more than that, they love to see conversions increase, and new clients come in. Those are the kinds of real benefits we offer. In fact, online reputation management can lead to increased conversions almost instantly."
Brand enhancement leads to a decrease in what Reffert calls "negative consumer actions," as well. "Clearing the first Google search results page of negative reviews can have an huge impact on the behavior of your customers," he explains. "It makes them much less likely to request a refund or chargeback, or to leave a bad review of their own."
ABOUT:
Founded in 2009 by a team of online marketing and sales professionals, Reputation Changer is one of the premier providers of online reputation management. The company works 24/7 to provide comprehensive reputation management strategies to its clients, which have included politicians, public figures, Fortune 500 companies, and more. Reputation Changer owns several media outlets, and is known for its innovation in positive SEO techniques, social media implementation, and other strategies. The company is also unique for the custom, individualized process it takes for every client and every campaign.