Your online reputation is how people perceive your business based on reviews, social media interactions, and search engine results. It's a reflection of the trust customers have in your company. It can make or break your business.
You can shape your online reputation through social media, your website, press releases, and other public content. But it's not just about what you say—it's also about what others say and how safe they feel in their interactions with you. Negative reviews, false claims, or data breaches can harm how customers see you.
A strong reputation builds customer loyalty, attracts new clients, and helps you stand out. On the flip side, a damaged reputation leads to lost sales and missed opportunities, no matter how great your products or services are.
To stay on top of your online reputation, make sure that your website provides a secure experience by protecting customers' data and transactions, keep track of what's being said about your business, and have a plan in place for handling unexpected situations such as a breach.
Your online reputation management has three main goals:
1. Building awareness: Whether you're a new business, launching a product, or entering a new market, the goal is to boost your brand's visibility – and this usually involves using social media.
2. Maintaining trust: Once you have a good reputation, you need to work at keeping it. This involves continuous monitoring and addressing any issues that come up – from bad reviews to hackers and scammers.
3. Handling events: When things go in an unexpected way, don't panic and act according to the plan you have for it.
The content that you post online (including pictures, videos, and information on your website or social media platforms) can be copied and reused by anyone. Scammers can easily impersonate your company by creating fake accounts that look just like yours. They may target your followers, pretend to be you, and trick people into giving money or sensitive information using social engineering tactics. This is just one of the many ways in which your reputation can be targeted.
The internet is full of dangers that can affect how people see your business.
Why it Matters: Your devices and network are the gateways to your business's sensitive data. If they're not protected, cybercriminals can easily access and compromise your systems, putting your business, customers, and reputation at risk. Malware, viruses, and ransomware thrive in unsecured environments, while an unprotected network allows attackers to spy or manipulate your data.
What to Do:
Related: Why Cybersecurity Training and Awareness Are Essential for Any Small Business
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2. Fortify your company website
Why it Matters: A compromised website can spread malware leading customers to believe your business is untrustworthy or careless with their data. Customers are less likely to trust a company with an insecure website.
What to Do:
3. Protect your social media accounts
Why it Matters: Social media accounts are often prime targets for hackers. A compromised account can spread misinformation, scam your customers, or even lock you out of your own social media entirely.
What to do:
4. Monitor your business online presence
Why it Matters: Your business's reputation extends beyond social media. Fake accounts, data breaches, or leaked email addresses can damage customer trust and your brand. Monitoring your entire online presence helps you stay ahead of potential threats, ensuring you catch issues early.
What to Do:
5. Double-check new or unusual requests
Why it Matters: Scammers often impersonate suppliers, tech support, or business contacts, requesting changes to payment details. Without a second check, you could easily fall victim to invoice scams or fraudulent transactions.
For instance, if you receive an email from a supplier requesting a change to their regular bank account number, call them to verify that the email came from them.
What to Do:
Related:
Top 10 Scams Targeting Very Small Businesses: How to Stay Safe and What to Do If You're Scammed
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6. Only collect the data you really need
Why it Matters: Collecting unnecessary customer data increases your risk. If that data is stolen, it could expose your business to legal and financial repercussions.
What to Do:
Related: 10 Cybersecurity Tips to Protect Your Small Business Data
7. Collaborate with specialists, not scammers
Why it Matters: Building partnerships can enhance your authority and provide valuable connections, but working with the wrong people can harm your business's reputation. Scammers may pose as industry experts, loan or grant specialists, or tech support teams to gain your trust.
What to Do:
8. Know what to do in case of a breach or scam
Why it Matters: A swift response can minimize the damage if your business is breached, an account is impersonated, or you fall victim to a scam or a ransom attack. Ignoring or delaying action can make recovery much harder.
What to Do:
How To Protect Your Small Business
Maintaining your online reputation is an ongoing process. The more your business thrives, the more you need to focus on safety to keep online criminals at bay.
To make sure you're covered, consider Bitdefender Ultimate Small Business Security. It's a top-notch solution that brings together antivirus, scam, fraud, email, digital identity, and breach protection, plus training tools for your team.
Here's what you get:
Bitdefender Ultimate Small Business Security is a simple yet powerful cybersecurity solution designed for small business owners and entrepreneurs with 25 or fewer employees.
Find your plan here.
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Cristina is a freelance writer and a mother of two living in Denmark. Her 15 years experience in communication includes developing content for tv, online, mobile apps, and a chatbot.
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