Which Social Networking Sites Can Help You Improve Online Reputation?

Social media profiles are undoubtedly the most powerful tools for strengthening your digital footprint. When potential customers search for you, your social media profile is likely one of the first places they will look for reliable information. This is also because your social media profiles can rank prominently in organic search results, if properly optimized.

Actively engaging with potential and existing customers on social media helps you to stay connected and monitor your online reputation. Tracking your online reputation enables you to catch good and bad feedback about your business and to respond promptly and professionally.

One of the best features social networks have for businesses today is their low barrier to entry. Gone are the days where businesses were required to spend thousands of dollars to reach potential customers and improve online reputation. You can now reach your target audience by spending as little as five dollars per week!

However, there are more than a dozen thriving social networking sites online and more popping up every day. So, which social media sites can you consider for building and improving your online reputation? It requires some homework, but that due diligence can save you significant costs and eliminate unnecessary efforts if your focus is only on the platforms that can help enhance your online reputation. From Facebook to LinkedIn, here is a look at how you can find the best social media platforms for your business.

LinkedIn: This is one of the most popular and established social networking sites. Geared toward businesses of all sizes, LinkedIn helps you promote your brand name and make valuable connections with customers and peers. The key to LinkedIn’s success, and the reason why you should be active on it, is the high regard in which it is held. As with all social networking sites, LinkedIn ranks relationship building more than marketing activities. Do not start with a sales pitch; instead, try to create a connection. One of LinkedIn’s best features is LinkedIn Groups. You can consider establishing Groups in your target market and invite others to join. Unlike Facebook, which is viewed as a place where anything gets posted, LinkedIn is associated with professional thought sharing. When people visit your LinkedIn profile, they expect to find accurate and updated information about your business as well as recommendations from customers expressing your value.

Twitter: Blogs are an excellent way to boost your reputation. However, the time needed to create and manage blogs is often too much for many professionals. This is where Twitter can prove beneficial. This platform makes sharing your opinions with the world as easy as sending a text message. This feature makes it one of the most popular social networking sites. Twitter’s value lies in its ability for your posts to reach a wider audience. The more people share or retweet your posts, the more followers you will attain. You can post news, updates and articles related to your business or industry in general. Hashtags can make a significant difference in building momentum for your content, so pay attention to what is trending and include relevant hashtags. Even if you are not interested in the social aspect of Twitter, it is still valuable to have a presence there in order to prevent someone from hijacking your business identity online.

Google: Considering Google is the first online site most people will go to search for your business, you should have an active and accurate presence here. The benefits of creating a Google profile are twofold. First, it guarantees you a place on the first page of Google results; and second, it helps distinguish you from other businesses with the same or similar name.

Facebook: With more than 1.59 billion active users, Facebook is comprised of the most extensive blend of demographics of any social networking site. It can provide an exceptional platform for your business to connect with potential customers all around the world. From the marketing perspective, Facebook is the most accessible platform to manage and allows for the most precise targeting.

Online reputation management is a big concern for all businesses, and the most efficient way to keep your brand name looking great is to promote your identity through social networking sites. These sites can help you stand out from your competitors by embracing the good and the bad experiences. Honesty and transparency are vital to building a healthy online reputation. The more active you are on social media, the more opportunities you have to esta