How Your Online Reputation Affects Your Startup's Bottom Line (Infographic) In the next five years, 83 percent of companies will face a crisis that could negatively affect their value. Here's how to ensure that won't happen to you.

By Kristin Piombino

This story originally appeared on PR Daily

Your reputation is just as important today as it was in high school.

Except a hit to your brand's reputation today will do more than hurt your social standing--it will hurt your bottom line.

During the next five years, 83 percent of companies will face a crisis that will negatively affect their share price, an infographic from Digital Firefly says.

You don't want to be part of the 83 percent.

But a crisis isn't the only time you should monitor your brand's online reputation. Potential customers may sidestep your products based on other things they see online, like product reviews or ads.

Take a look:

  • Almost 100 percent (97 percent) of consumers who bought a product based on an online review found the review to be accurate.
  • Seventy percent of consumers look to online reviews before they buy.
  • Seventy-five percent of people don't believe companies tell the truth in advertisements.
  • Nearly 90 percent (87 percent) of people believe the CEO's reputation is an important part of the company's reputation.

If you don't monitor your brand's digital reputation, you should. Check out the graphic for more:

Click to Enlarge+

How Your Online Reputation Affects Your Startup's Bottom Line (Infographic)

Kristin Piombino is associate editor of Ragan.com

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