The importance of maintaining a positive reputation is critical for all businesses. We live in a world that’s dominated by the consumer – people have more power over the businesses they choose. Back in the day, a consumer may have one or two companies to choose from for a specific service. Now, they can pick from a selection across the globe.
As a result, consumers make purchases based on trust. Trust is built by making your business seem professional and knowledgeable. This is all part of your reputation! Today, we look at three defining factors that can make or break your business rep:
Online Presence
Your online presence and your online activity are essential. Most consumers interact with you over the internet, meaning they learn a lot about you from your website, social media, etc. All of this comes together to form your online presence. If you don’t present your company as a professional and an authoritative source, nobody will trust you. Be wary of the way you act online and the way your business is represented. It starts with a professional website that’s designed by professionals and extends to a well-run social media strategy. We won’t dive too deep into cultivating a positive online presence, just know it is essential.
The Workplace
Similarly, many consumers may come into contact with your business through your workplace. For example, someone walks into a retail store. Or, you have a lead in your office for an important meeting. Either way, your workplace plays a key role in setting the tone. This is why choosing an office or a retail store is so crucial. If you pick one in a good location, it instantly boosts your reputation. If your office looks modern and is equipped with unique technology, your business looks ten times better than the one down the road with an outdated look and feel. The tidiness of your workplace is also super important, so keep that in mind as well. Imagine walking into a retail store and seeing a mess everywhere – your opinion of the business would plummet.
Customer Service
Finally, your customer service makes up the third defining factor of your reputation. You should be able to guess where we’re going with this. Terrible customer service makes your company look awful. Nobody will trust you and you’ll build a reputation as a business to avoid. Excellent customer service does the exact opposite. It establishes your company as a trustworthy enterprise that everyone should be aware of. This can encourage more people to visit your business and make purchases.
All business owners should be aware of these three things, especially if you have a new startup on the go. Many startups fail because their reputation lets them down. You need to build trust and get consumers to be interested in your business. Focus on these three defining factors as the place to start. Go away and do your research on each element to learn how you can improve it and use it to your advantage.
