The Internet has brought tremendous opportunities to businesses including funeral homes. Because of the explosion of online business tools, companies are able to reach out to more customers more than they would using traditional media. The Internet has also allowed consumers to find the products or services that they need almost instantly.
But the advent of the Internet did not only bring increased revenues and growth to business. It also brought with it tough reputation management concerns. The Internet has made it much easier for consumers not only to know more about a company, but also to make their feelings known about it. These days, the way consumers communicate about a product or service online could spell the doom of a company.
This is why proper reputation management, even for funeral homes, is crucial. With proper reputation management, your funeral home will not only win you more client families; you will also earn their trust and loyalty.
Below are some of the proven online reputation management tips you can use for your funeral home:
Get your funeral home website to the top of the searches
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) plays a crucial role in managing your reputation online, because most consumers still use the search engines when looking for products or services. The same is true for client families looking for funeral services online. But strive to get as many online properties your funeral home owns (website, Facebook page, YouTube page, Twitter page, etc.) as possible to the top of the searches. Take full control of getting those to the top of the search results pages.
Actively engage in social media
It was once said a few years ago that the Internet is defaulting to social. More and more consumers are now relying on social recommendations whenever they want to subscribe to a particular service. That’s why your funeral home should actively engage in social media.
Start by claiming your funeral home’s social media profiles by creating pages on Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, and YouTube. Not all of these channels bring the same amount of benefits, but these are the major social networks you want to get involved in. Claim yours first before any funeral home does.
By engaging on social media, you will have a bigger presence online, which makes it easier for your target customers to remember you. An active social channel also gives your funeral home website a boost in search engine rankings.
Blog regularly
Contrary to popular belief, blogging isn’t dead. In fact, with the explosion of mobile devices, it is now much easier for consumers to follow their favorite brands’ blogs. By blogging regularly, you are able to provide update to your target audience on certain products, promotions, or industry-related news. Blogging also puts you right up there with industry experts. Also, the search engines favor websites with fresh new content, which blogging effectively addresses.
Take advantage of videos
Video is the fastest way to get noticed online. Thanks largely to YouTube, you can now offer how-to information in video format to your customers. It is said that video is the future of e-commerce. Also, videos rank really well in search.
Use PR effectively
Online press releases are not only good for when your funeral home has an ongoing promotion. You should also take advantage of it whenever you sponsor events.
Online reputation management is important if your funeral home is to stay relevant and competitive in the long run. If you do not have the resources to run an in-house online reputation management for your funeral home, you can seek professional service.
Ask us today about how we can help you manage your funeral home’s reputation online by calling (888) 337-3698.
Thanks for the information. I think it’s interesting that there are so many ways that funeral homes can move up in the world. I’m especially interested in the fact that social media can greatly affect that. I wonder how many funeral homes use that. I think that if they knew that, they would all be using it.
I definitely agree with the importance of engaging in social media. It seems a bit odd for a funeral home to do that since social media is typically upbeat and a funeral home is the opposite of upbeat. However, really great info can come from social media sites for businesses, so I would still say it’s a good move.