Digital footprints of your business are all the online activities inclusive of mentions, comments on articles, posts on social media, URLs, website, social media handles, records of online purchases, and more. When you know the boundaries, how to maintain and contain it, you can protect or harness your business digital footprints.
The traditional way of people knowing about your business, through the marketing department is gradually changing. Because they are trained to say or release the right things in the public. Moreso, the receptionist or secretary who answers the phone, letters, emails are trained to do so.
This digital age is changing how your business is being known, your company’s digital footprints can be created with no effort or consent from you. Your company’s information can be published by the likes of trade unions or associations, suppliers, partners, customers, government e.t.c. The odds of your company’s information being accurate or helpful may not be high as you expect it to be.
There is a twist to this digital footprints topic, there are business leaders who have great corporate experience, but are not fully abreast of the latest technologies. On the other hand, there are employees who are up to date with technology but are not fully aware of corporate risk.
Also, imagine an instance where a customer posts an opinion about your product or service on a review site without your knowledge. People will expect you to reply, and if you don’t, it can pass as a wrong signal. But if you answer, it can serve as a plus to your business as either branding or sales. All being said, managing your digital footprints should be the next thing to do.
FIND BELOW FIVE TIPS YOU CAN USE TO MANAGE YOUR DIGITAL FOOTPRINTS.
1. BUILDING YOUR DIGITAL SKILLS:
Learning digital skills will make you understand how it works, this can help you manage the risks.
2. TAKING OWNERSHIP:
Decide how you want your brand to be reflected online. Keep creating good content, this might be the things potential customers see before reaching out to your business.
3. ADDRESSING CRITICISM:
It can be frustrating to see negative comments, addressing or answering questions/comments go a long way in showing how responsible your business is.
4. USING GOOGLE:
If you want to track your mentions or digital footprints, Kindly use this google tool called Google Alerts.
5. YOUR STAFF:
You need to discuss with your staff, let them understand the guidelines, and so on. They should also know they are part of the company’s branding.
Conclusively, managing it ensures that the business message is uncompromised, and you can take advantage of new opportunities and reach new markets as you build your business footprints.
REFERENCE: Sage, GiveGradAgo, Accounting Software, Payroll Software, ERP.
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