Subscribe to Our Weekly Newsletter
ISS is the most comprehensive source for self-storage news, feature stories, videos and more.
Reputation-Management Software: How It Works and What It Can Do for Your Self-Storage BusinessReputation-Management Software: How It Works and What It Can Do for Your Self-Storage Business
Good or bad, online customer reviews can have a profound effect on a self-storage facility’s reputation. It’s essential to manage this feedback, and thankfully, there’s software on the market to help operators do so. Discover how this technology works and how it can help you improve your company’s online presence.
3 Min Read
Are you looking to improve your self-storage facility’s reputation, so you can grow your business? Then you must monitor and manage your online customer reviews.
This feedback is critical for many reasons. Not only do consumers prefer to do business with companies that have higher star ratings on Google, but consistent and authentic reviews signal trustworthiness to people who may be searching for your self-storage services. They stimulate higher engagement with prospects, help your business align with Google’s best practices and boost your local search engine optimization. Simply put, reviews significantly shape your operation’s reputation and play a vital role in helping you gain online traction.
Understanding that this content plays such a key role in your facility’s online presence, how do you keep tabs on it and use its power to your advantage? Reputation-management software could be the game-changer you need! In this article, I’ll explore how it works and what it can do for your self-storage business.
What Is Reputation-Management Software?
Reputation-management software streamlines the process of gathering, monitoring and leveraging online reviews. It’s designed to help your business build credibility and maintain a strong online presence, so you can achieve higher search rankings.
First, this software simplifies the process of gathering valuable feedback from customers, automatically sending them email and text invites that encourage participation. It also collects and organizes the reviews your company receives from various sources, including Google and your social media platforms, consolidating them into a single location. Finally, the technology comes with analytics to help you measure the impact of your review strategy and identify areas for improvement.
By automating these tasks, reputation-management software saves you time and ensures you’re consistently engaging with your self-storage customers. In turn, this can boost your online presence and secure higher search rankings.
Key Considerations
When using reputation-management software to support your self-storage business, it’s important to follow best practices and government regulations. For example, in August, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) introduced a final rule to combat fake reviews and deceptive practices. Understanding these guidelines can help you navigate the review landscape ethically and effectively. Here’s an overview of things to do and avoid:
Focus on delivering excellent service to inspire customers to share their positive experiences.
Don’t offer incentives such as money or rewards in exchange for positive reviews. Conditional compensation is prohibited under FTC regulations.
Encourage genuine reviews from real self-storage prospects and tenants by making the process simple and accessible.
Don’t create, sell or use fake or artificially generated reviews and testimonials. Misrepresenting someone’s experience is unethical and prohibited.
Be transparent about the source of your reviews and ensure they reflect unbiased opinions.
Don’t claim that your review platforms are independent if they’re under your control or influence.
Respond constructively to negative feedback by addressing concerns and demonstrating your commitment to customer satisfaction.
Don’t use threats, intimidation or false claims to suppress or remove negative reviews. Avoid selectively hiding unfavorable ones.
Choosing Reputation-Management Software
When choosing a reputation-management platform for your self-storage operation, ensure it aligns with your business needs. Look for programs that have a user-friendly interface and a simple process for requesting and tracking reviews. This will make it easier for you to stay organized. In addition, make sure it offers reporting tools for analyzing the effectiveness of your efforts.
Integration is another vital feature. This tool should seamlessly connect with your self-storage management software and Google Business Profile.
Effective review management is about fostering trust, improving customer relationships and maintaining transparency. By leveraging the right reputation-management software and following the best practices outlined above, you can elevate your self-storage facility’s online presence and drive long-term success.
Katie E. Johnson is the director of marketing at Zion Call Management, a provider of comprehensive solutions for self-storage facility owners including call answering, tenant protection, marketing and reputation management. She has years of experience managing a wide range of marketing tasks, from building brand awareness and increasing client relations. For more information, email [email protected].
About the Author
You May Also Like
