“A brand for a company is like a reputation for a person. You earn a reputation by trying to do hard things well.”
Jeff Bezos, Founder and Executive Chair of Amazon
What is Brand Reputation?
In simple terms, brand reputation is what people think and feel about your brand. This reputation forms over time based on customers’ experiences, what you say about your own brand, and what others say about you (like online reviews and social media chatter).
Why is It Important for SEO?
- It gains trust and credibility. If your brand has a good reputation, people are more likely to trust your website and click on your links in search results. It’s like having a well-liked shop in town – people come in because they’ve heard good things.
- Online reviews are a big deal! Positive reviews can boost your visibility in search engines, especially in local search results. This is the online version of word-of-mouth. If lots of people say your brand is the bee’s knees, chances are more people will find you when they search for your brand.
- A strong brand reputation can lead to more natural backlinks from reputable sites. Think of backlinks as nods from other websites. If a bunch of respected websites link to your site, search engines take that as a good sign and might boost your rankings.
- You’ll have yourself a user engagement because a reputable brand usually means more engagement on your website. People stay longer, click around more, and are more likely to return. Search engines notice this and think, “Hey, this site must be pretty good.”
- You are giving social signals. When your brand is well-regarded, you’re more likely to be talked about on social media. While social signals are not a direct ranking factor, they can indirectly influence your SEO by increasing your content’s reach and potential for backlinks.
In a nutshell, a good brand reputation is the same way as having a big group of friends vouching for you. It makes others (including search engines) see you in a positive light, which can lead to better SEO results. So, keep your customers happy, encourage reviews, and maintain a positive online presence!
How to Make a Positive Brand Reputation for SEO Purposes?
Here are some tips on how to make your brand the talk of the town peeps, in a good way, of course!
- Be good at your competition! Understand what your audience needs, and how to solve their needs. Provide top-notch products or services! First things first, make sure what you’re offering is first class It’s similar to making sure the snacks at your party are delicious – people will remember and talk about it.
- Be active and engaging on social media and other platforms. Engage with your audience, and make everyone feel welcome. Reply to comments, participate in conversations, and show that there’s a friendly human behind the brand.
- Encourage your happy customers to leave positive reviews online. Gather all of the reviews and make improvements from there. There are ways to encourage users to leave feedback for your products or services:
- Engage in gamification method: give points to your users who have left reviews, and make those points useful for them to purchase your products. Incentive is key
- Provide your users with special access once they leave a review. You often see this in game apps, where after users leave a review, they are freed from ads. This method can also be adopted in many products or services
- Create quality content. Share useful, informative, and entertaining content related to your field. This can be blog posts, videos, podcasts – anything that adds value. It’s like giving your audience fun activities to do.
- Be consistent by keeping your brand message and visuals consistent across all platforms. It helps people recognise and remember you. We can’t stress this enough, be the strongest domain in your niche
- Handle negative feedback well! If you get negative comments or reviews, address them promptly and professionally. It shows you care about your customers’ experiences.
- Get involved in the community, whether it’s sponsoring a local event or participating in charity work, getting involved in the community can boost your reputation.
- Optimise your website for SEO. Ensure your website is user-friendly, loads quickly, and is full of useful information. Just make sure your brand is easy to find, looks great, and has everything your audience needs.
- Provide your users with special access once they leave a review. You often see this in game apps, where after users leave a review, they are freed from ads. This method can also be adopted in many products or services
Google My Business
Google My Business (GMB) also known as Google Business Profile is a free tool that lets businesses manage how they appear on Google Search and Maps. When you create your business profile, you can increase visibilities and improve its chances of appearing in the search results with the business’s name, address, opening hours, photos and reviews. That’s all powered by Google My Business.
Google My Business is a powerful platform that allows local businesses to manage their digital footprint and attract potential customers searching for their services on Google. This can be very beneficial for all sizes of businesses by providing them with an opportunity to showcase their products, services, and USP.
To create a Google My Business account, they must have a physical location offering in-person services (e.g., cafe, salon, etc).
Now, how does Google My Business affect your brand reputation for SEO? Quite a bit, actually:
- They boost your visibility! By setting up your GMB profile, you’re making it easier for customers to find you on Google. It’s like putting up a big, bright sign for your digital storefront.
- When your business info is up-to-date and consistent across Google, it builds customer trust. They’ll know they’re getting reliable info, like your opening hours or contact details.
- GMB allows customers to leave reviews about your business. Positive reviews can significantly boost your reputation, as people often check these before deciding to use a service or buy a product. You’ve got yourself an online word of mouth!
- For local businesses, GMB is a game-changer. When someone searches for a service or product near them, Google often shows local businesses first. If your GMB profile is optimised, you’re more likely to show up in these local searches.
- You can post updates, offers, and events on your GMB profile, similar to social media. This keeps your customers engaged and informed about what’s happening with your business.
- GMB provides insights like how many people called your business directly from the listing, clicked on your website, or asked for directions. This info can help you understand and improve your online presence.
Google My Business can be a powerful tool for managing your online reputation and improving your SEO, especially locally. It gives Google and potential customers a handy, up-to-date guide to your business, making it easier for them to choose you.
How to Create a Google My Business Account?
Creating a Google My Business (GMB) account is pretty straightforward. Here’s a simple list of how you do it, step by step:
- Sign In to Google
You can start by visiting https://business.google.com/create and creating or signing in to your Google Account. If you don’t have one, sign up for free. Recommended tips: use the email address with your business domain.
- Start Your GMB Registration
Click on “Manage now” or “Start now” (depending on what you see on the screen).
- Enter Your Business Name
Type in your business name. If it doesn’t appear in the drop-down menu, you can click on ‘Add your business to Google’.
- Choose the Right Category
Select the category that best fits your business. This helps Google show your business for the right searches.
- Add Your Location
If you have a physical location customers can visit, like a shop or office, add your address. If you don’t have a physical location or serve customers at their location, you can list your service area.
- Fill in Contact Details
Add your business phone number and website. If you don’t have a website, Google can provide a free basic webpage.
- Verification
Now, you’ll need to verify your business. Google usually does this by sending a postcard to your business address with a verification code. Sometimes, other options like email or phone verification are available.
- Complete Your Profile
Once verified, fill out as much information as possible – opening hours, description, photos—the more complete your profile, the better.
- Regular Updates and Reviews
Keep your GMB profile updated with the latest info, and encourage happy customers to leave reviews.
- Use GMB Insights
Use Google My Business Insights to understand how customers interact with your listing and make improvements.
And there you go! Setting up your GMB account is a key step in making your business more visible online, especially for local searches.
So, now you’ve got the lowdown on how crucial Google My Business and brand reputation are for nailing your SEO. It’s all about making sure you’re not just found online, but also that you’re shining bright when you are.
That’s exactly where we at The Digital Cellar are here for. Think of us as your digital marketing buddies. We’re here to help you navigate the world of online marketing, using the right platforms to boost your presence. From setting up your Google My Business account to managing your overall online reputation, we’ve got your back, end to end. Let’s work together to make your brand pop online!
