Tag Archives: competition

Managing Small Business Rival Online Trash Talk

Per a recent Wall Street Journal article, competing small to medium businesses with questionable ethics can have an effect on your business via online posts.  A 2011 survey shows that of consumers surveyed:

  • 80% changed purchasing decisions based on negative online reviews
  • 87% did the same based on positive reviews
  • 69% did online research before buying
  • 64% read consumer/user reviews
  • 42% read articles and blogs

WSJ suggests the following:

  • Be alert for rival activity — negative messages are often the same or similar across multiple sites
  • Take your suspicions to site administrators
  • Once posts are gone, follow-up on forums to remove any lingering suspicions (old posts can still show up on Google searches)
  • If any attacks were effective, supply a Q&A on your web site or social media page
  • When countering claims, keep cool — keep your tone helpful & neutral
  • Develop a presence in relevant online forums early, before an attack happens — this will give you credibility when you have to respond to attacks

More here.