The Best Online Review Management Companies for SMBs

An online review company is any businesses that monitors, earns, and responds to reviews on behalf of another business. They handle all aspects of earning and improving reviews to help build their clients’ reputation online.

Since online review management focuses on maintaining your reputation, they offer many services related to doing so. Here are a few services that you can find with most agencies:

• Continuous monitoring of online reviews across platforms
• Catching and responding to negative reviews
• Reaching out to customers to earn more reviews
• Connecting with dissatisfied customers to improve reviews

Each business has unique needs for reputation management services. Here’s how to choose the best reputation management companies to put on your shortlist:

1. Identify your needs

Before researching the top online review management agencies, it’s best to determine your company’s needs and priorities regarding reputation management.

Do you need to get customers to write glowing reviews about your business and offerings? Or do you need help managing your reputation online after a crisis?

Identifying your priorities will help you narrow down your choices.

2. Make a shortlist of companies that can address your needs

Once you’ve identified your needs, you can shortlist reputation management agencies that serviced other businesses in your industry. This way, you’re working with companies familiar with your industry and the challenges businesses like yours face.

You can also consider agencies that have expertise in the services you need. For example, if you’re in the healthcare or hospitality business, you most likely need positive reviews to gain your prospects’ trust.

Look for the top online review management agencies that can help you earn more reviews. You can also consult a full-service digital agency like WebFX. Our reputation management services can help improve your business’s credibility among Internet users.

3. Research companies by reading customer reviews and reviewing their online presence

Make sure the agency you’re hiring to manage your reputation is trustworthy. Read customer reviews and look for social proof on their website.

Do they have case studies and customer testimonials on their site? Read through them and find out what their customers say about their services and strategies.

Make sure they use white-glove strategies to uplift the reputation of their clients. You’d want your agency to use only ethical methods to improve your reputation, as black-hat strategies may backfire and hurt your business!

4. Find out if you and the company have good communication and culture fit

Before hiring a reputation management company, you must also evaluate if the two of you have a good communication and culture fit.

Get to know their team and culture and see how comfortable it is for your team to work with them. Do you have shared values? Do they show interest in understanding your pain points and are keen on helping you achieve your goals? Observe the team dynamics during your first few meetings.

At WebFX, we take time to understand our clients’ businesses, industries, needs, and challenges. We strive not only to hit metrics that improve your reputation, but to also deliver results that grow your bottom line.

5. Make sure the company has a detailed plan

Transparency is important in your working relationship with your online review management agency. What strategies will they use to help you address your needs?

Make sure your partner provides a detailed strategic plan for your business. If parts of the strategies are unclear to you, ask them to clarify them. You want to ensure they won’t implement band-aid solutions to improve your online reputation.