What you can do to improve your Online Reputation: Make sure you are asking satisfied customers to review you online, and have a direct link on your website to make it easier for them to do so. I’ve seen bad reviews for restaurants when overcrowded for Mothers’ Day. (Doesn’t everyone go out for Mother’s Day?) I’ve seen negative reviews for Auto Body Shops, Cleaning Services, Motels and other industries where it is almost impossible to please 100% of the people, 100% of the time. You know those people; and it’s better to walk away from customers who are difficult and have unreasonable expectations. However, online you need to respond when necessary: A response to the restaurant customer may have gone as follows: “We are sorry your wait was longer than expected. We do our best to accommodate everyone and suggest making a reservation in the future, or try us when it’s not a holiday.” This tells the public you care, and that you are responsive. Most people will no longer perceive this as a negative review, but rather the customer should have made a reservation and that lowered his expectations of getting a table for 12 on a holiday. If you’re having trouble with your online reputation or need some help building your star rating, contact us at AdEdge Digital Marketing for a word or two of advice and a free demo of our Reputation Builder solution. Book a Meeting with one of our experts!