Online Reputation Management or ORM is the process of taking control of one’s web presence. ORM services come in various specialties including review moderation & management to search engine results management. If you’ve found yourself victim of an online reputation attack (ORA) here are a few tips to help you find and hire the right ORM agency for your specific needs.
Bad Reviews
Do you have a growing number of bad reviews online? These reviews can be found on a variety of websites including business directories like Yelp or Trip Advisor. Additional hotspots to attract negative reviews can be on social media platforms like Facebook or even Google Maps (Google MyBusiness).
This type of ORM includes review moderation, management and review solicitation. The idea is to get frivolous reviews removed while moderating bad reviews. This might be responding with comments that make you look like a rock star while soliciting reviews from raving fans resulting in an uptick in overall ratings.
Bad Search Engine Results
There are an unlimited amount of reasons why search engine results for your name or business might be unflattering. This can include direct influences such as bad PR for a stupid mistake you made in your past or present, defamation or false accusations. Other reasons for poor search engine results can be caused by disgruntled ex-employees, or even unsolicited attacks from competitors trying to cause you financial harm.
Indirect attacks can also come in various forms. For example; a local Tae Kwon Do studio discovered their reputation was trashed after the media got hold of the news that one of their instructors was arrested for a sexual assault that happened away from their business. Because the person was employed there, the news stuck around for years after even though the employee was terminated and put in jail. It wasn’t the studio’s fault. They did everything they could to screen their employee before hiring them. With no criminal history but the studio took the financial fall from the employee’s action.
If you’ve found yourself in a situation like one of the ones mentioned above it’s important to hire the right person or agency. Everyone ORM firm will say they can help you but you really need to understand where their skillset is. For an example; fixing bad search engine results take a deep understanding of complex algorithms. On the flip side, managing, monitoring and fixing bad reviews takes some understanding of how marketing works and basic grunt work leveraging automation.
Regardless of your needs, SEOBrokers can help you find the right partner for your specific situation. We’d love to provide you with a friendly, free and confidential consultation.
