Okay, you went and Googled your name or small business and somewhere along the line something bad comes up, staring at you in white and blue. If you are in business, you are bound to come across an irate customer at one time or another. Your best bet is try and resolve the issue before it gets to a bad review.
But if the horse has already left the barn, here is a list of steps that can help you out.
If the name you Googled does not have much traffic, there are a couple of things you can do for free to push the information down off the first page.
Before you even start, do not respond to the review! Responding to the complaints, particularly on certain complaint-driven websites, will simply serve to enhance the longevity of the complaint and increase rankings with every new entry, driving the issue even further up on the SERPS (Search Engine Result Pages).
Another word of advice, if you notice a bad comment or review, then get an email from a reputation management firm offering to get it taken down, Do not respond! To be dead honest with you, there are companies who make a lot of money performing what essentially amounts to extortion. Steer clear of these people (I use the term loosely) at all cost.
First step: Social Accounts
Start several social accounts with the name in question. This includes Facebook, Google+, Reddit, Pinterest, Twitter, LinkedIN, etc.
Start being active with these accounts and adding friends as quickly as possible. Engage your audience with posts in these accounts. Post pictures with the name in question in your title and alt. tags
Second Step: Webpage
Grab a URL with the name in question, and build a web page for it. Connect a blog so you can blog from the page. Make sure you get the plug-in that allows your readers to easily share the blog. Write something interesting that relates to your audience. Make sure you list the name in question in your title tags and labels.
Third Step: Reviews
Talk to your loyal customers or friends and have them post factual information through such review services as Yelp, CitySearch, etc. Make sure they list the name in question in the headline of the review. Offer free products or services in return for the favorable review.
Fourth Step: Bloggers
If you have any customers or friends that have a blog, ask them to give you a mention. Request they put the name in question in the title tag. Have them write good stuff about the name in question. Offer free products or services for the mention.
If you have problems of a more serious nature, you may want to hire a professional. There are several involved strategies that can significantly improve your profile on the web. At www.redtruckseo.com, we will provide a free, confidential estimate and work with you in an honest and compassionate manner.
