Presentation, just as important online

When building a business, the face you present to Customers is often one of the most important aspects of what you do. After all, how can you attract new Customers without something to attract them? This is no different when it comes to your online presence, emails, website or your social networking; these are all aspects of your face to the Customer.

In today’s world, your online face to the Customer is becoming more and more important. Customers are now often technology savvy with the ability to search online for your website, for reviews of your products, threads posted about you and more. They make use of this ability on a daily basis, which is why when it comes to your online face you need to make the best possible impression, whether or not you are trying to sell online or not.

Your Website

When searching online, your website is often the first point of contact with a potential Customer and your Company. This is your first impression, and we all know how much first impressions count. You generally only get one chance at making a good impression, in life and on the internet. The only problem with the internet is that it is much easier for the Customer to leave and search elsewhere the instant they do not like what they see. Look and presentation of your website are very important no matter what your business.

Friends - Your Social Circle

There use to be a stigma associated with social networking, which was for young teenagers posting about their daily activities. Nowadays it is accepted that everyone of all generations is on the internet. Companies themselves are not excluded either.

It is not uncommon to find social networking links or modules on a Company’s website. These companies could be eCommerce shops, informational sites or big multi-national corporations. Social networking helps reach Customers that they would not normally reach through everyday working channels.

Social networking also lends itself an air of credibility. It is not an easy to spot advertisement. Rather, it is something that people are talking about, something that they like, they enjoy and use.

Gossip – Who’s talking about you

Online forums can be likened to the jungle of the internet. There is no telling what you might find there. The anonymous nature of the internet enables people to speak without the same responsibility that governs our day to day communications. Left unattended, these can grow to a point where there are numerous pages, posts and/or reviews that do not speak highly of your Company and can damage your reputation among Customers.

On an obscure forum or webpage this may not be an issue, but today with the speed and accuracy at which Google index’s sites, these links could potentially rank higher than your own site. If someone searches for “XYZ” Company and the first thing they see is an entire page dedicated to negative feedback this can give your business a bad name and most likely be detrimental to your Company and its reputation.

There is no solution for people having negative discussions or thoughts, it is a simple fact of life. You can however, attempt to rectify any issues that they may have. Knowing which forums you are likely to find your Customer groups and actively monitoring them for any issues is a great way to deal with problems before they get out of hand. You also gain a lot of good will when other people see that your Company cares enough about Customer service to seek out those that retreat to the internet. They see your Company work towards rectifying whatever grievance that the person concerned may have. It is one of the most public ways to solve a problem and look good in other potential Customer’s eyes.

Conclusion

Often in our day to day running of a business, we are so busy concentrating on the Customers directly in front of us, we forgot about the importance of the online element.

It is very important that we put in constant effort into making a good first impression and maintain a level of Customer service online as it is in store.