In today’s digitally driven, Google-first world, your online reputation isn’t just a reflection of your business—it defines your reality. Whether you’re a loan officer in a small town or a multinational business, managing your online presence is essential. To shed light on the growing importance of Online Reputation Management (ORM), we sat down with Michael Ammaturo, Head of Solutions Engineering at Experience.com, and here’s what he had to say about why ORM matters and how professionals can harness its power.
What Is Online Reputation Management?
Michael Ammaturo explains ORM simply:
“When you’re looking for a doctor, lawyer, real estate agent, or loan officer, the first thing you do is go to Google. Everything you see online about that person ties into their online reputation.”
ORM involves curating and managing your digital presence, including search engine results, customer reviews, and social media activity. It’s a proactive strategy to ensure your online persona aligns with how you want to be perceived.
This is particularly critical in today’s environment, where customers turn to the internet first. Studies show that over 90% of consumers read reviews before engaging with a business or professional. With ORM, you can shape this narrative, ensuring that potential clients see your strengths and trust your expertise.
At its core, ORM is about controlling the narrative—ensuring that the digital footprint professionals leave behind reflects their expertise, integrity, and success. As Michael puts it,
“ORM helps you manage what all these different data points say about you. It’s crucial to manage that, especially as a professional.”
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Why Should You Care About ORM?
Your online reputation doesn’t just impact your credibility—it can directly affect your revenue. To emphasize his point further Michael highlights,
“We’re social creatures. People care about what others say about you. Managing your online reputation means ensuring your happiest customers are singing your praises and any negative feedback is handled professionally.”
Michael emphasizes the significance of reputation management, not just for large corporations but also for individual professionals like loan officers, real estate agents, and insurance agents. He highlights the importance of maintaining a strong localized online presence, stating:
“Even if you don’t operate across multiple locations, ORM still applies. Google delivers hyper-local results, ranking professionals based on their online presence. Your online reputation in your local area is as important as managing it globally,” Michael notes.
In essence, your online reputation is part of your brand and business strategy. Ignoring it means missing out on opportunities to connect with potential clients—and worse, leaving room for negative information to dominate.
Signs You Might Need ORM
Failing to manage your online reputation doesn’t just harm your image—it can also cost you business. Inconsistent profiles or unresolved complaints can deter potential clients, while your competitors reap the rewards of a strong online presence.
Thus, ORM isn’t just a “nice to have”—it’s a must-have. Michael states:
“If you’re a professional who cares about your online presence, you need to manage it methodically. Tools like Experience.com’s Search Rank Platform allow you to build your reputation strategically and stand out in your market.”
So, how can you tell if it’s time to invest in a reputation management strategy? Michael suggests a quick test:
“Google yourself. If all you see are bad comments or nothing at all, it’s time to act.”
This exercise can reveal how potential clients perceive you online. Key red flags include:
- Negative reviews or comments that remain unanswered.
- Incomplete or outdated profiles on major platforms.
- Inconsistent information across directories.
- Lack of visibility compared to competitors in your industry or area.
In other words, if your competitors look more trustworthy or established online, it’s time to level up your ORM game.
Recognizing these signs early can help you prevent potential damage to your reputation and take steps to improve it proactively.
Encouraging Positive Reviews and Handling Negative Ones
At the heart of ORM lies customer reviews—both positive and negative. But gathering reviews is only half the battle. Michael offers actionable advice on fostering a positive reputation:
- Ask for Reviews Regularly:
“Ask customers—whether in person, via email, or text—to leave reviews on your Experience.com profile, Google Business Profile, or other relevant platforms. If you’ve done well, people want to help.”
Integrate review requests into your workflow, and don’t hesitate to follow up politely if a customer forgets. - Respond to Negative Reviews Professionally:
Negative reviews are inevitable but manageable. Michael advises:
“Respond professionally where the review was left. Acknowledge their concerns, offer solutions, and reach out directly to resolve the issue. Fixing the situation after the fact can go a long way in rebuilding trust.” - Leverage Positive Feedback:
Share your best reviews on social media and other platforms to amplify their reach. This not only builds trust but also signals to search engines that you’re an active, reputable professional.
Is Your Content Hurting Your Search Ranking? Find out here.
A Comprehensive ORM Strategy
While reviews are a critical part of your online reputation, they’re just one piece of the puzzle. To truly stand out, you need to approach your online presence holistically. According to Michael Ammaturo, your digital footprint is made up of five essential components:
- Reviews: Boost your credibility with reviews – the backbone of your reputation, that reflect customer satisfaction and trust.
- Profile Data: Ensure your contact details and profile information are up-to-date across all platforms. Inconsistent information can confuse customers and hurt your search rankings.
- Primary Website: Your primary website or profile page is often the first impression you make. Ensure it’s professional, mobile-friendly, and optimized for search engines.
- Listings: Appear consistently across directories to boost visibility, and ensure your information appears correctly across all of them. This builds trust with search engines and improves your discoverability.
- Social Connections: Leverage platforms like LinkedIn, Google Business, Meta and others – regularly share updates and positive reviews to keep your audience engaged and amplify your reputation.
These elements work together to define how search engines and customers perceive you. To simplify this complex ecosystem, Experience.com has developed a unique algorithm that mimics the behavior of search engines. This innovative tool transforms your search ranking into a tangible, actionable Search Rank Score.
Explaining further on the algorithms of Experience.com Michael states:
“It evaluates five components that elevate your visibility—reviews, data accuracy, web analytics, listings, and social media connections.”
The score is gamified to provide you with actionable insights, making it easier to identify areas for improvement and track your progress. This precision-driven approach allows professionals to optimize their presence systematically, ensuring they not only show up in search results but stand out from competitors.
By offering a clear roadmap to enhance your online visibility, Experience.com empowers you to take control of your digital narrative and build a reputation that aligns with your professional goals .So, is ORM something you need? If you care about how your business is perceived, the answer is a resounding yes. Start by Googling yourself today, and take control of your narrative with the right tools and strategies.
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For more tips on elevating your online presence, visit Experience.com.
