A positive online reputation is more important than ever in 2019. When choosing where to shop, a growing number of consumers use the internet to help them decide. Businesses with poor reviews and negative articles about them will likely struggle to find new customers.
To ensure their reputations stay positive, or to repair those that aren't in the best of shape, many businesses are turning to online reputation companies for help. These services employ a wide range of tactics to help make sure your online image will pique the interest of consumers.
We researched and examined nearly 50 online reputation management services and software in 2019 to find the best options for both businesses and business professionals, such as company executives.
During our research, we searched for companies that offer the best online reputation repair, reputation protection and online reputation management. Here is a roundup of the services we think are best and an explanation of how we chose them.
Ready to choose a reputation management service? Here's a breakdown of our complete coverage:
- Choosing a Reputation Management Service
- Best Reputation Management Service for Individuals
- Best Reputation Management Service for Businesses
Best Online Reputation Management Service for Businesses: WebiMax
WebiMax is a digital marketing agency that provides a host of online reputation management services. This includes online monitoring, social media monitoring, review and negative comment management, crisis response, brand preservation, positive reputation management, and strategic PR.
After conducting an initial analysis of your brand's online reputation, WebiMax works with your company to develop a specific strategy plan to meet your brand's specific needs. It provides your own dedicated project manager who informs you of the campaign's progress each step of the way.
Pricing for WebiMax's services varies based on the specific strategies your business employs. However, the online reputation management company doesn't require any long-term contracts. WebiMax works on a month-to-month basis, giving you the flexibility to change strategies at any time.
Besides reputation management, WebiMax provides a wide range of other digital marketing services, including web design, search engine optimization, search engine marketing, social media marketing, email marketing and e-commerce solutions.
For its breadth of services, month-to-month pricing and top-notch customer service, WebiMax is our choice as the best online reputation management service for businesses. Find out more at Webimax.com or read Business News Daily's full review here.
Best Online Reputation Management Service for Individuals: Gadook
Gadook is a full-service inbound marketing and reputation management company. Reputation services are available for businesses as well as business leaders, such as company presidents, CEOs and founders.
The company provides a variety of online reputation management services, including brand building, rebranding, brand protection, social profile optimization and crisis management.
Its first step is conducting an analysis of the individual or brand's current online reputation. Based on what it discovers, Gadook implements a specific plan to either repair a negative online image or boost a positive one. Its strategies include creating positive, search-optimized content to push negative content off the first few pages of the search results.
Pricing for Gadook is customized for each business depending on the strategies used. Also, you're not bound to a long-term contract (Gadook only requires a one-month commitment). Other services Gadook offers include web marketing, web design and development, and project management.
For its reputation management services, its abilities to tailor these services for business leaders and its flexible contract offerings, Gadook is our choice as the best online reputation management service for individuals. Find out more at Gadook.com or read Business News Daily's full review here.
Editor's note: Looking for a reputation management service for your business? If you want information to help you choose the service that's right for you, use the questionnaire below and our sister site, BuyerZone, will provide you with information from vendors for free:
What to Expect in 2019
A positive online reputation will only become more crucial in 2019. Research shows a growing trend in consumers hopping online to see what is being said about the products and services they are considering buying.
Businesses should be aware that consumers place a greater importance on online reviews these days. Keeping new reviews coming in and keeping them positive should be a strong focus for businesses in 2019. Research from BrightLocal finds that 85 percent of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations and that 73 percent of those surveyed say a positive review makes them trust a local business more.
With so much riding on what consumers say about them online, businesses will have to actively manage their reviews. This includes trying to acquire as many as they can, knowing when new reviews are posted and responding to each review, both the good and bad. Research shows that more than half of consumers expect a response from a business they leave a review for.
Review management is becoming a staple of online reputation management services, with some companies offering specialized software for managing all of your online reviews from one centralized platform. Expect an increase in the number of businesses turning to these services and software for help in 2019.
Online Reputation Management FAQs
Q: What are online reputation management services?
A: Online reputation management involves ensuring your brand has the best possible online image. These services work to ensure that positive news and reviews are the first things customers (and potential customers) see when they search for your business online.
For businesses that have negative information about them online, these services deploy various strategies to push undesirable stories and reviews off the first few pages of search results.
For businesses with a positive online image, online reputation management services monitor the web to ensure the reputation stays positive and that when anything negative pops up, the business is in a position to respond immediately.
Online reputation management can also include crisis response should a major incident occur and review management to ensure your online reviews are positive.
Q: What are some online reputation management strategies?
A: There are several strategies online reputation management services employ to boost a brand's online image, including the following:
- Search engine optimization: These companies ensure that your online content is properly optimized for search engines. They ensure it has the right keywords, metadata and headlines to ensure it is being seen when people search for your business or businesses in your industry.
- Content creation: These firms will create content for you, such as articles, blog posts and business profiles.
- Review management: Online reputation management services can monitor your online reviews on sites like Google, Facebook and Yelp. This gives you the chance to quickly respond to negative reviews and promote positive ones. These services can also help with the acquisition of reviews. Some companies focus specficially on these strategies. They provide a platform where you can manage all of these tasks from a single location.
- Social media management: Online reputation management companies can manage all of your social media. This includes setting up profiles on all relevant social channels, deciding what and when to post on those outlets, and monitoring those networks for any negative reviews.
- Third-party website monitoring: In addition to monitoring your social media pages, online reputation management services monitor other sites to see if your business is being talked about. This can include review sites like Yelp and Glassdoor, as well as any other websites or blogs where your business is being discussed. This ensures that you always know when your business is being talked about online and what people are saying.
Q: Why do you need online reputation management services?
A: While some may think that only businesses with a poor online image need this type of service, all businesses can benefit from some level of online reputation management.
Businesses with a negative reputation can use these companies to help repair their image. Strategies can be put in place to wipe away much of the negative discourse about the brand online. These strategies include creating new, positive content that pushes negative articles further down in search results. Crisis management strategies can be employed if a serious incident occurs that requires immediate attention.
Businesses with a positive online reputation can use these services to ensure the image stays that way. Having someone out there monitoring the web for mentions of your brand can be a very valuable service.
Reputation management firms can promote positive news and reviews when they appear online, and if something negative pops up, they can quickly notify you so you can respond and rectify the situation as soon as possible.
Q: How can a negative online reputation hurt you?
A: More than ever, consumers rely on the internet to determine where they shop, what they buy, where they eat and generally where they spend their money. They conduct research online and read reviews from other consumers to determine the best businesses to invest their money in. Research shows that 97 percent of consumers read online reviews to find local businesses. A Harvard Business School study discovered that a one-star increase in a Yelp rating can boost a business's revenue by up to 9 percent.
Knowing the high premium today's shoppers place on what they see online, it is imperative that businesses keep a positive online image. A few bad reviews or negative online articles can do some serious damage.
You want customers to judge your business for themselves. However, if they see some bad reviews online, there is a good chance they'll turn to one of your competitors with a better online image. In the end, you may never get the opportunity to prove those bad reviews wrong, because shoppers won't give you a chance to.
Q: How much does online reputation management cost?
A: While some companies have set service plans with a dedicated monthly cost, most services customize pricing for each business. The reason for this is that not all businesses have the same reputation management needs.
Most online reputation management providers conduct an initial analysis to see the strategies your business needs the most. Based on that information, they will build a campaign package for your specific needs. The costs can run anywhere from a few hundred dollars per month to several thousand. It all depends on the type of work that needs to be done.
Some of these services require a three-, six- or 12-month contract, while others work on a month-to-month basis.
Q: How long does online reputation management take to work?
A: There is no set time for how long it takes to see results from online management services. It all depends on the current state of a brand's image and the strategies used. Some businesses may see results within the first month or two, while others may not see the full results for six months to a year.
It is important to remember that these services aren't offering a quick fix. They are employing strategies that take time to show results. However, businesses that are patient usually reap the rewards of online reputation management services.
Our Methodology
To select the best online reputation management services for businesses and individuals, we started with a pool of nearly 50 vendors that we found online, including those reviewed by other websites. From there, we eliminated vendors that don't serve small businesses or offer the full scope of online management services we think are beneficial for businesses.
We then conducted further research, seeking out online reputation management companies that were transparent about their services and made that information available on their websites. Most importantly, we determined whether the companies specialized in web reputation management services for businesses, individuals or both.
We narrowed down our initial list to 10 finalists for our best picks: BirdEye, BrandYourself, Gadook, Go Fish Digital, Netmark, Podium, Reputation.com, Reputation Management Consultants, Reputation Management LLC, SubmitEdge SEO and WebiMax.
From there, we conducted more in-depth analysis. We reviewed the services offered, read user comments, reviewed Better Business Bureau ratings and complaints, and tested out services when demos were available. For some, we contacted the company posing as business owners to test their customer support and learn more about the service.
We looked at the types of strategies the services employ, how transparent they are about the services they offer and whether they use black-hat tactics, cost and contract length (when that information was available), customer service, online reviews, Better Business Bureau complaints, and whether they serve businesses, individuals or both.
Our process involves putting ourselves in the mindset of a small business owner and gathering the data that would be readily available to such an individual. We perform all of our research by visiting company websites, making calls to customer service departments, reading other online reviews, and watching demos of the service or software when possible.
Here is a full list of reputation management services and a summary of what each company claims to offer. This alphabetical list also includes our best picks.
1SEO.com – 1SEO.com offers a comprehensive reputation management campaign that includes an analysis of your online reputation before your campaign begins and a full assessment once it's complete. Along with its reputation management services, 1SEO.com offers a wealth of online marketing and SEO services, including SEO consulting and copywriting, social media marketing, web design and development, and infographic services. 1seo.com
BrandYourself – BrandYourself has a unique model that gives you the tools to manage your individual online reputation on your own, with some guidance from the company's experts. It also offers other subscriptions at reasonable prices that give you varying degrees of control over the service. BrandYourself also offers reputation management for businesses. brandyourself.com
Digital 86 – Digital 86 offers online reputation repair and building services. The company specializes in both fixing damaged reputations and building up reputations with room for improvement. The company provides services to individuals, small businesses and large enterprises. digital86.com
Digital Firefly Marketing – Digital Firefly's reputation management services include extensive analysis and evaluation of your online reputation, 24/7 news monitoring, negative review monitoring, SEO, and removal of defaced content. The company offers other SEO services, social media marketing, content marketing and web services (including design, development and hosting). digitalfireflymarketing.com
*Gadook – Gadook is an inexpensive, effective reputation management service with a simple one-month commitment. Although it's a low-cost solution, Gadook offers quality service, including SEO copywriting, social media monitoring and leveraging of the company's personal press contacts. Between its high level of service and low costs, Gadook earns the title of our best reputation management service for individuals. Find out more at Gadook.com or read Business News Daily's full review here.
GreyBox Creative – GreyBox Creative boasts reputation management services that are "built from the ground up and are completely customized according to your company's needs." Its services include constant monitoring of search engine algorithms and trends, and GreyBox will help you use positive content to suppress negative search results. GreyBox Creative offers other services too, including web design, logo design and social media marketing. greyboxcreative.com
Igniyte – Igniyte is a specialist reputation management company that helps high-net-worth individuals and brands with defamation and libel issues online, customer service through social media, managing online reviews, and challenging and removing content from Google. With legal teams and extensive digital marketing experience, the firm uses PR and content marketing to help individuals and brands have a positive presence online. igniyte.com
Internetzone I – Internetzone I offers three different online reputation management packages: Republock Lite, Extreme and Elite. The packages vary in features and pricing. The best option for your business depends on the size, needs and budget of your operation. internetzonei.com
LocalEdge – LocalEdge's reputation management services come in two packages, Standard and Advanced. Both include features like review monitoring, email alerts and social-mention monitoring. LocalEdge's other services include web design, search engine marketing, and email and text marketing. internetmarketing.localedge.com
Netmark – Netmark's reputation management services allow you to set up brand alerts, promote positive reviews and content to bury negative content, and more. You can get a free quote on the company's website. Netmark's other services include enterprise SEO, pay-per-click management, website development and social media marketing. netmark.com
Outspoken Media – Outspoken Media offers reputation management services that include strategy development and software recommendations so you can find the right tools to manage your online reputation. The company offers several other SEO and internet marketing services. outspokenmedia.com
Repumatic – Repumatic offers full-scale, DIY reputation management software; free reputation monitoring; and transparent concierge services costing under $200 per month. The company provides combination reputation management and SEO services for brands, along with tips for do-it-yourselfers to regain their positive reputations online. The company's software can be used to instantly launch and manage up to 50 positive branding sites, also giving you the ability to remotely post to social media and WordPress domains. repumatic.com
Reputation911 – Reputation911 offers reputation management services for both individuals and businesses. It specializes in the suppression and (when possible) removal of negative content. Other features include online brand monitoring and reporting, and the creation of optimized online profiles. reputation911.com
Reputation Communications – Reputation Communications offers services for businesses and individuals. It uses a five-step process: protecting your brand from appropriation or misuse by others, addressing incorrect or biased information, deleting your private information from people search databases, ensuring online photos support your professional image, and increasing your brand's prominence online. reputation-communications.com
Reputation Management Consultants – This company's reputation management services focus on content creation to push your negative search results down. Services include the creation and promotion of social media and professional profiles, press releases, and syndicated articles. reputationmanagementconsultants.com
Reputation Management Kings – Reputation Management Kings' services include engaging on social networks and creating communicative blogging sites, media-sharing sites, and business profiles and networks. The company focuses on SEO and positive content creation. reputationmanagementkings.com
Reputation Management LLC – Reputation Management LLC's process includes analysis of your online reputation, strategic planning, requesting removal of defamatory content that can legally be removed, creating positive commentary to push down negative content and monitoring the web for any new posts. reputationmanagementllc.com
Reputation Managers – Reputation Managers' online reputation management services include analyzing the first 10 pages of your search results, promoting positive content, and building online profiles and other content on the web. reputationmanagers.com
Reputation Rhino – Reputation Rhino covers both businesses and individuals, specializing in SEO and social media marketing. Its online reputation management services include content development, profile optimization and review management. reputationrhino.com
Reputation X – The runner-up for our best pick for businesses, Reputation X offers comprehensive solutions for removal and suppression of negative search results as well as protection and monitoring of your online reputation. The company offers varying levels of service depending on your needs, all in different price ranges. reputationx.com
Reputation.com – Reputation.com offers comprehensive reputation management services for both protecting your brand from attacks and dealing with a reputation crisis. Although it covers any type of business, it has tailored solutions for various business industries. The company offers services for individuals as well. reputation.com
SEO Image – SEO Image offers reputation management services for both businesses and individuals. Interested clients can get a free quote and analysis on the company's website. SEO Image also offers design services, pay-per-click management and social media services. try.seoimage.com
SEOValley – SEOValley's reputation management services cover both businesses and individuals, and they include proactively monitoring your online presence, reducing the presence of negative information and promoting positive content. Other services SEOValley offers include website development, SEO and social media marketing. seovalley.com
SEO Inc. – SEO Inc. uses SEO techniques, social media plans, and content development to improve and build your brand's online reputation. The company also offers web development, pay-per-click management, social media marketing, mobile optimization services and more. seoinc.com
SEOP – SEOP's reputation management techniques include the creation of microsites, social media assets, press releases, syndicated articles and more. In addition to reputation management, the company offers digital marketing and web services, ranging from public relations to affiliate marketing. seop.com
SubmitEdge SEO – SubmitEdge SEO offers reputation management services to push down negative results from the first page of Google results using microsites, blogs, RSS feeds and more. The company also offers several other content-writing and SEO services. submitedgeseo.com
VJG Interactive – VJG Interactive's reputation management services include crisis management and prevention and brand promotion. The company's other services include web development and mobile app development. vjginteractive.com
*WebiMax – WebiMax offers a full slate of reputation management services, such as crisis response, brand preservation and strategic PR. It comes with a reasonable cost for its robust services and a commitment of only one month, making it our best pick for reputation management services for businesses. Find out more at Webimax.com or read Business News Daily's full review here.
WebpageFX – WebpageFX is an internet marketing company that offers services in SEO, social media and design. Its reputation management services, which cover businesses and individuals, include comprehensive tracking of online commentary about your brand and promotion of positive content. webpagefx.com
If you'd like your company to be added to this list and possibly considered as a best pick for our next round of reviews, email your request to b2bconsiderrequest@business.com.
Ready to choose a reputation management service? Here's a breakdown of our complete coverage:
- Choosing a Reputation Management Service
- Best Reputation Management Service for Individuals
- Best Reputation Management Service for Businesses
Editor's note: Looking for a reputation management service for your business? If you're looking for information to help you choose the service that's right for you, use the questionnaire below to have our sister site, BuyerZone, provide you with information from vendors for free:
