“This software you recommended doesn’t work. I want a refund!”
“Sorry, but I wouldn’t dream of recommending that product.”
“It’s on your website! I trusted your company to give me the right advice. Are you telling me now I can’t believe what you write?”
That recent exchange over a third party ad on a computer advice website illustrated the risks people and businesses have when they post online. Even if the post is an online ad, a comment or something else you haven’t done yourself.
Anything online that has your business or personal name attached makes you accountable to the entire world. This was one of the points in our recent discussion about about why advertising may not suitable for your business website.
So you need to be careful with what’s posted online in your name or by your employees. A few weeks back we discussed how one Engineering company deals with employees using social media with the basic rule you have to act online with the same professionalism as you would in your work dealings.
That professionalism also extends to your online ethics. If you are making recommendations it’s best not to receive commissions, rebates or freebies and if you choose to then you need to be clear about your affliations.
It’s not just websites; Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, any of the dozens of other social media services or the thousands of web forums hold just as many traps for ill considered comments.
The key rule is to never post anything online that you’d be embarrassed to explain to your mum.
There’s a million voices online and if you’re not one of the trusted ones you’ll be lost in the massive crowd. Your reputation is your most valuable asset.
I wonder how many people think the ‘online’ world is (still) different to the ‘offline’ world? Many of your points above fit the landscape we had 10-15 years ago; with online & offline being 2 separate worlds. Back then you could lead a double life and get away with it/not have your online activities exposed, but not any more! Whilst the internet/online capabilities/sites/tools have improved {quickly}, the mindset has not. Mindsets are hard(er) to change!