You ever walk into a situation thinking you’re golden, only to take a metaphorical steel-toe boot right to the… pride? That’s what it feels like when your company’s online reputation takes a hit — and you didn’t even see it coming. We call that “getting hit in the digitals.”
At Allstream Energy Partners, we’ve seen this happen to oil and gas companies that ignore their online presence, thinking it’s just fluff — only to be blindsided by a NEGATIVE REVIEW, an outdated Google listing, or a COMPETITOR OUTRANKING them on every search term. Here’s how to avoid getting caught with your hard hat down.
1. Your Online Reputation Is Your Reputation
Back in the day, reputation was built through handshakes and word of mouth. Now? It’s Google reviews, LinkedIn posts, and whether your website looks like it came from this decade. If someone types in your company name and the first thing that pops up is a two-star Yelp review from 2017 — guess what? You just got hit in the digitals.
Pro tip: Regularly monitor search results, review platforms, and social media mentions. Tools like Google Alerts or Brand24 can keep you in the loop.- Allstream Can Monitor and Manage Your Social Media Channels
2. Your Website Shouldn’t Be a Ghost Town
You’d never invite a client to your office if it was dusty, empty, and full of cobwebs. So why let your website give off that vibe? An outdated or clunky site tells prospects, “We don’t really care.”
Invest in a responsive, modern design that’s SEO-optimized and easy to navigate. Bonus points for clear calls-to-action, current content, and a human tone that reflects your brand (without sounding like a robot named Chad).
3. Search Engine Rankings: Where Digital Punches Land
Imagine spending millions on drilling, only for the leads to go to a competitor because they show up first on Google. That’s the quiet uppercut of the digital world. If you’re not ranking for your key services and locations, you’re invisible. Worse — someone else is reaping what you should be sowing.
Solution? Get aggressive with your SEO. Keyword optimization, link-building, technical audits — all part of the toolbox. Or, just call the SEO roughnecks at Allstream Energy Partners. We don’t drill for oil, but we sure drill down on search engines.
4. The Social Proof Gauntlet
You may think social media isn’t your thing, but guess what? It’s your prospects’ thing. If someone checks your LinkedIn, Instagram, or even your Glassdoor and sees crickets (or worse — complaints), it’s like walking into a party and realizing everyone’s talking about you behind your back.
Get ahead of the narrative:
- Share project wins.
- Highlight your team.
- Respond publicly to reviews (good and bad).
- Stay active — or at least present.
5. Crisis Prep: Because the Internet Never Forgets
Mistakes happen. A bad client experience, an ex-employee rant, a misinterpreted post — digital landmines are real. The key isn’t to avoid all mistakes; it’s to respond fast, transparently, and with a plan.
Craft a basic reputation management strategy:
- Who monitors online mentions?
- Who responds to negative feedback?
- How do you turn bad press into good PR?
- Hint: Start by being human. Corporate speak won’t save you in a digital storm.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Let the Digitals Take You Down
The modern oilfield is as much digital as it is physical. Your rigs might be 100 miles from nowhere, but your brand is just one Google search away from judgment.
Allstream Energy Partners are the experts in SEO and digital presence for the oil and gas industry — and we know how to protect your online reputation like it’s our own. From technical audits to full-blown crisis response, we help you dodge the digital gut punches before they happen.
So, ready to stop getting hit in the digitals?
Let’s suit up.
