Building a good and robust online reputation can take many years. After all, what goes onto the internet is there forever, and any mistakes you make will be visible to the public for many years to come.

Instead of trying to paper over poor behavior and career-damaging antics of the past, before you begin your online journey, it is essential to be aware of the different things that can impact your business and your reputation. After all, prevention is better than cure, and fighting fires once the damage is done is likely only to make the wind blow in a different direction and set something else alight.

With this in mind, what are the most dangerous things you can do to ruin your online reputation?

Partner with the wrong people

Everyone is aware of the dumpster fire that is the Bud Light and Dylan Mulvaney collaboration. This partnership didn't work for Bud Lights' core demographic and went against most of what most of their target audience believes in. Whether these beliefs are right or wrong is irrelevant, and Bud Light is now fanning the flames of controversy to restore its reputation. When partnering with brands, businesses, or influencers, you need to be confident their values align with yours, and that your target audience will be receptive to the messaging you are putting out there, or you could end up the next Bud Light.

Poor Digital Security

Nothing can put up in your reputation like failing to carry out enhanced digital security and your client's information being put at risk. Digital security is one of the biggest threats to any company. With cybercrime (and fines for willfully neglecting cyber security rising just as fast), you should never think it won't happen to you. The cyber hack on the Colonial Pipework is the largest ever fully disclosed hack in recent history. It landed the PHSMA nearly $1 million in fines for their failures in worsening the attack. But it isn't just hacks you need to be worried about. There are many threats online that can threaten your company's data and reputation. One such thing is bots. How do bots work? You need to know this so you don't fall victim to their malicious methods and can protect your reputation.

Your Activity Online

Everything you do online that can be traced back to you directly, or your company puts you at risk of a reputation failure. We've all seen people and brands shoot themselves in the foot when it comes to replying to online queries or engaging on social media. But these mistakes are pens you need to take heed of and avoid for yourself.

In a world of cancel culture and social virtue signaling, minding your Ps and Qs and paying attention to how you represent yourself and your brand online will pay dividends. This goes for things like responding to or not responding to queries, reviews, and feedback online, no matter how much you disagree with it. You cannot cherry-pick who you respond to and ignore the negativity (especially if it's a legitimate complaint), but you can choose how you respond. Be careful with the words you choose and the image you put online. Anything that surfaces that goes against your ethos or perfected public image will do you damage down the line and maybe even permanently. Take Roseanne Barr for an example; one comment ruined her whole career, and she lost her place on a TV show that revolved around her character!

Key Takeaway

When it comes to your online reputation, you can never be too careful. You must ensure you are putting out the image you want to represent your company and doing everything possible to protect it. These are just three mistakes you must avoid that make your whole empire crumble.