Faith and Business 101: 10 Tips to Help Deal with Negativity in Your Online Business

How do you handle negativity in your online business? Unfortunately, it comes with the territory and it’s something everyone has to deal with when they have an Internet business.

If you let criticism and negative talk affect you badly, then you may want to rethink about having an online business, but don’t be so quick to throw in the towel and be done with it because I have 10 tips that will come in handy and it will help you deal with the negativity.

Tip #1: Thick Skin

You need to have a thick skin because there will always be haters. There are people who like to be mean. My best advice is to not take it personally.

Tip #2: Set up Google Alerts

Find out who’s talking about you and your business by setting up Google alerts. For this reason, you can quickly address negativity or complaints about your business. Plus, it’s a good way to connect and build relationships with customers who love your business.

Tip #3: Can’t Please Everyone

Like I said above…there will always be people who don’t like what you offer or what you do. If at the end of the day, you’re happy with what you’ve done or accomplished then that’s great, but if you’re not satisfied, then you have the option to make it right.

Tip #4: Value

It’s just as easy to complain about something as it is to compliment. When you read a negative review, you have to define whether it’s something of value. There are different reasons people complain. Some complain because it’s a genuine concern, some out of jealousy and some complain for the sake of complaining.

Evaluate the complaint and if there’s no relevancy to you or your business ignore it. If it requires action, then deal with it. The outcome here is to get turn a negative into a positive.

Tip #5: Avoid Debates

When a customer is talking negatively, avoid engaging in a debate with them. Listen and understand where they are coming from, then try and come to an understanding and resolve the problem.

Tip #6: Don’t Be Defensive

It’s normal and natural to get defensive, but it won’t help and instead it will make you look unprofessional. Keep a cool head and gather your thoughts before responding.

Tip #7: Be Prompt

Nip negativity about your business quickly. If it’s on a posting site, take it privately if possible. Don’t make excuses for the problems and respond positively.

Tip #8: Legal Action

Take legal action if they become threatening, libelous, or they plan to do something harmful to you or your business.

Tip #9: Personalize Customer Service

There may be several of the same negative feedback by a number of people, but treat each person’s experience differently. Don’t offer a cookie cutter solution, but go out of your way to come up with a solution that fits them.

Tip #10: Integrity

A good business owner will run their business with integrity. If you have done something wrong then own up to it, apologize, and work to resolve the issue.

You should strive to get a positive outcome, but it may not always happen. As long as you’re honest in your dealings and you’ve dealt with it the best way you know how, that’s all you can do.

Remember the LORD your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath. – Deuteronomy 8:18 (NLT)