According to Wikipedia, Online Reputation management can be defined as - "The practice of understanding or influencing an individual's or business's reputation.
It was originally coined as a public relations term, but advancement in computing, the internet and social media made it primarily an issue of search results.
Although it is often associated with ethical grey areas, such as astroturfing review sites, censoring negative complaints or using SEO tactics to game the system and influence results, there are also ethical forms of reputation management, such as responding to customer complaints, asking sites to take down incorrect information and using online feedback to influence product development.
" For whom online reputation is important? Online reputation is important for most of us whether you are selling any product or services, or even looking for an employment, or an investor its important for us.
The major groups which fall under this category are - • Business partners • Consumers • Marketers • Stock holders • Co-workers and employers • Journalists etc The major importance in maintaining an online reputation is that it helps companies optimize their growing potential by - Maintaining and developing their brand image: When it comes to research or enquiry 80% of users search online for a review on any product or a company.
Therefore, its important to maintain the brand value here.
Negative reviews or comments are unfortunately obvious at times but what's more important is to acknowledge that issue or problem faced to avoid the damage created and also maintaining the positive information regarding your business to keep the balance.
Easy to search or visibility: Gaining the top page rank in the search engines is the great way to increase the visibility.
Whenever customer searches for something new or unexplored the preference is given to the first two pages only in that search engine.
By different SEO techniques and importantly with the help of online reputation, one can standardize the content on a regular basis and company can effectively increase the visibility and page rank in the search options.
Building trust in customers: We know that customers are the most important factor for any business and one of the greatest advantages of online reputation is - it maintains the trust and faith on your company.
By only permitting certain information to pass in search engines or social media platforms, you can convey a trustworthy image of your company and to your potential customers through social media platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest and other local social Medias.