These days, we all know how important it is to have an online presence that correctly represents our brand and the experience that we strive to provide to our customers.  Most people also know that increased online presence may mean increased online vulnerability.  Google is a major part of every business online success and it is critical that every business owner and make the most of their listings. Without proper control of your businesses listings, your brand can be hijacked by people with bad intentions.  Some of the risks of not having control of your listings include:

Editing Information with Bogus Data

Someone can suggest edits to the listings.  They might provide erroneous information in order to confuse your customers, to steal a business or to just introduce chaos into the system.  Once the data like an address or phone number is compromised, they can do even more damage.

Business Closure

Once information has been altered on the listing, someone can then claim the listing and then they would have absolute control over the information on the profile.  They could change the hours, description, upload misleading photos or even mark the business as permanently closed.  It could be weeks or months before you are able to track down the cause of the business decline. Without control of your business listings over the internet, your business is vulnerable to a growing type of “business identity theft.”

Redirecting Customers

In the industry, we see competitors claim listings to increase their market share.  They may direct customers to their address or phone number.  This is not a good business practice is discovered, but some are will in to take the chance.

Damaging Your Online Reputation

Can you imagine the damage that someone could do to your brand by responding improperly to reviews online? Using foul language, sarcasm or even slurs and demeaning language in reviews could cause a lot of negative publicity for your business.  Make sure that you prevent that by owning your listing and being vigilant over their content.

Benefits of Controlling Your Business Listings

Consistent Brand Identity

It is important that whenever a customer interacts with your brand, they should have a positive consistent experience.  Customers need to know that they can count on your business to deliver.  As marketing professionals, we take the whole big picture into consideration. We understand that building a solid foundation on the largest search engine in the world is critical.  But people will find your business in many places online and you want to control your brand image in those places as well.

Quicker and More Superior Access

Nowadays, just about every mobile device has Internet access. Giving customers swift and easy access to your correct contact details during their time of need is an immense benefit. This allows them to easily discover what you do and what you have to offer. Don’t let anyone take this valuable chance from you.

Protect Your Brand Reputation

One important but often overlooked aspect of your online reputation is the ability to reply to reviews online.  Ownership of the listings allows you to be notified when reviews are submitted and ownership allows you the opportunity to reply professionally and promptly.  Can you imagine the damage that someone could do to your brand by responding improperly to reviews online?