Reputation means everything when running a business. Even if the company is doing well and has quality products to offer, they won’t mean anything due to a negative reputation. Having a positive image could lead to more customers and the potential for sales growth. The popularity of social media also paved the way for reputation building. People can easily voice out their ideas online and even recommend businesses they like. With the right monitoring tools, the business can track its reputation. Hence, the use of reputation management software has never been more relevant.
Choosing the right software
Given the usefulness of this tool in boosting the company’s reputation, there are more reasons to purchase one. In doing so, these features are worth considering:
- Secure online environment. The software shouldn’t have any threat of privacy breaches. It needs to have a secure setting to prevent anyone from accessing restricted data if there’s no permission.
- Possibility of collaboration. Another feature to look for is collaboration. There needs to be an avenue for people within the team and external providers to collaborate. Managing reputation campaigns is easier when multiple users can access the same platform.
- Monitoring functions. The reputation management tool should track emerging stories and possible origins. Digging through the web with ease is necessary, and the generation of reports should be possible.
- Cost-effective. The company already spends a lot on various software and tools to improve the operations. When spending money on reputation management software, cost-effectiveness is a feature to look into. The software needs to have a reasonable price. However, even if it’s pricey, as long as it works well, it’s good enough. Monitoring millions of conversations and stories online comes with a huge price. With this tool, it’s easier to track a company’s reputation.
- Real-time notifications. Time is essential in reputation management. If issues don’t get controlled immediately, they could end up blowing in distorted proportions. Users need to receive warnings as soon as possible to allow quick decision-making.
- Ease of use. Using the software needs to be easy. Small business owners who don’t have plenty of employees help if the software use is easy to figure out.
Benefits of reputation management software
There are plenty of benefits in the use of this software. These are some reasons for investing in it.
- Quick resolution of customer complaints. The software helps track complaints and provides reports if there’s a common trend. It’s one thing to read a negative review, and it’s a bigger issue if there’s a recurring trend. The company needs to do something about these complaints, and the tool allows it to happen quickly.
- Show concern to customers. There are instances when customers feel like their complaints fall on deaf ears. They don’t receive the best treatment from a company they stay loyal to. With the use of the software, the company can take swift actions that customers appreciate.
- Creates a positive word of mouth. When more customers feel satisfied, they will spread the word to other people. It increases potential customers and sales. With the help of social media, these words might go out quicker than before.
- Identify potential opportunities. The software doesn’t only provide negative feedback about the company. It also helps to identify areas or potential growth. The business can take advantage of it. The development of new products and business expansion could be among the results.
- Ward off inaccurate information. Some companies tend to play dirty. Instead of highlighting their strengths, they also invest in damaging the reputation of their competitors. If you’re on the receiving end of the malicious attacks, the software helps. It identifies false information spreading online.
How much does it cost?
The amount required to purchase the software varies according to what the company needs. There are monthly and annual subscription options available. There are also free trials offered by vendors. They’re useful in testing the products before committing. Once subscribed, the fees could be at least $100, depending on the features available.
These are only some reasons why it makes sense to invest in quality reputation management software. It offers plenty of benefits that business owners should look into. Some people might argue that reputation doesn’t matter since the truth will always come out. If you look at it as a personal philosophy, it might make sense. However, for businesses, reputation matters a lot. People rely on the information available online. They form conclusions even before trying a product. It’s possible to lose customers.
