It’s 2010, yet many small and medium sized businesses are still dismissing “social websites” as either a place for teens or for big companies with big budgets like Reebok and Nike.
And while the “big boys” are all on these sites and doing cool things, you had better pay attention to what the social sites are saying about YOUR business too.
Why Should You Care?
The bottom line – whether you like it or not – is that Google is going to show people results from these social sites about you when they search your name. That’s right! Your Facebook page or Twitter account might actually show up in search results above your company website.
So the question then becomes – are these listings positive or negative and what can you do about it?
What could possibly happen?
I recently heard a commercial warning that “the Internet doesn’t fact check.” And this is unfortunately often true when it comes to social sites.
Some frightening things you may not know:
Has someone else reserved a Twitter username similar to your name?
Anyone can setup a Facebook business page (even if it’s not theirs)
Anyone can post a review about your business on hundreds of websites (including Google)
The fact is that if you don’t protect your social profiles, you are in danger of someone else putting information on the Internet that you can’t control.
What Can You Do?
So even if you don’t want to keep up a social website profile, I suggest you set one up before someone else does.
- Register a profile with all the major sites.
- Complete as much information as you can on these profiles.
- Check with organizations you belong to such as the local chamber or BBB (Better Business Bureau) which might allow you to enhance a listing.
- Claim your local listings on Google, Yahoo and Bing.
Taking these steps will, at a minimum, ensure that you don’t wake up and find someone else is operating a social website profile in your name and it puts your best foot forward with potential clients.
There are many more digital marketing techniques that can benefit or improve your business’ online presence. Visit our site to learn about what else you can do to ensure your business’s social media presence is a positive one.
