How to Become a Well-Respected Local Company

When a business is well respected, it has a great chance for success. No matter if your business is brand new or if it has been in operation for a decade or more, earning the respect of your customers and the general public is incredibly important.

A company that is respected is one that makes a concerted effort to effectively communicate with people. This includes in-person as well as online communication.

In this day and age, it's vital to remember that many people purchase goods and services without ever setting foot in a brick-and-mortar store. Therefore, being respected in your local community as well as online are essential keys to success.

According to Merriam-Webster.com, the definition of respect is as follows:

Respect – noun – a feeling of admiring someone or something that is good, valuable, important, etc.

It can be extraordinarily difficult for a business to garner the respect of the public without a certain level of effort. As is often said, respect must be earned.

A business can earn respect by focusing on building an excellent online reputation and by developing a trustworthy relationship with the public.

7 tactics for building respect for your business

 

Tactic 1: Regular communication

Communication is everything. When something positive happens to your business, share the information with the public. Likewise, when something negative happens, your business may choose to communicate it to the public – before the public learns about it through another source.

Effective and regular communication is always a great public relations tactic and can help build respect among your current customers, prospective customers, and the public as a whole.

Communication can be accomplished in any number of ways — through social media, television and/or radio commercials, flyers and advertisements, or any other method that allows your business to have a voice than can be heard.

Tactic 2: Handle conflict swiftly and appropriately

Most well-respected businesses are known for their ability to handle conflict effectively.

If and when a current customer, prospective customer, or member of the general public expresses a concern or complaint about the employees of your business, the products and/or services you sell, or your business practices, it's essential to face those issues head on and deal with them on an individual basis.

If you do not agree with the complaint or conflict, you might make the decision not to implement any changes in response. However, it's important to at least acknowledge complaints and conflicts. Acknowledgement shows that you are concerned with the opinions of your customers or the general public. This tactic helps build respect.

Tactic 3: Treat your customers fairly

If you want your business to be respected, your business must show respect to its customers. That respect is a two-way street is actually a simple concept.

In order to gain respect, your business must convince the outside world that it cares about its customers, the general public, and the local community where it is located.

Tactic 4: Maintain a modern website

When a business operates with an outdated website that is filled with errors and mistakes and does not function properly with mobile devices, it's a sign that the business does not care to upgrade to a system that will make it easier and more efficient for customers and prospective customers. This can be viewed as a sign of disrespect and a lack of concern for the convenience of the public.

Taking the time and effort to maintain a modern and easy-to-use website is an excellent method for gaining respect from the people who matter the most to your business.

Tactic 5: When your business makes a mistake, admit it

When someone does something wrong, it's always nice to hear that person admit he or she was at fault. The same is true for a business.

When a customer experiences poor customer service or purchases a product that is defective, the customer does not want to be ignored.

When a business makes a mistake but is willing to admit it – as well as make a commitment to fix the problem – the result is almost always positive. It's difficult not to have respect for a business that does its best to transform unhappy customers into satisfied customers.

Tactic 6: Be reliable

Running a reliable business is essential. If your business sells services, make absolutely sure that your employees or contractors are experienced and professional. If your business sells products, make sure the products are of good quality.

A business that sells services provided by unprofessional or untrained employees or contractors is destined for failure. And selling shoddy products is a sure- fire way to develop a poor reputation.

Tactic 7: Give back to your community

Many well-respected businesses are known in their local communities as philanthropists. Your business could adopt a particular charitable cause, or perhaps it can sponsor a community service project.

No matter what you choose, make it a positive experience for you and your employees as well as the organization you choose to support.

People like businesses that are visible in the community. Charitable contributions or participation in an event that serves the community is a meaningful way to develop respect for your business with your local customers, prospective customers and the public in general.

Summary

Respect is important in every aspect of life. A local business has many opportunities to build respect in the local community as well as online.

It's not always easy to build a sterling reputation. It's very difficult to command respect. In most situations, respect is only given to a person or business that deserves it.

If you want your local business to be well-respected and to have an excellent reputation, it's incredibly important that it be seen as an integral part of the local community. This can be accomplished by working to build a trustworthy and respectful relationship with the public.