Statistics show it only takes 7 seconds to make a good first impression. Therefore, whether you are on a date or going for an interview means you only have a ninth of a minute to make the moment memorable.

A lot of people have mastered the art of making a good first impression face-to-face. They simply maintain eye contact and smile and that can lead to a new relationship.

However, making a good first impression in the digital world can be tricky for a lot of people. In this day and age, social media is ruining our lives. Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram have become online platforms which can digitally make us or break us.

Are you on Google (News - Alert)?

Even if you aren’t, your business surely is. Getting good Google reviews can guide other buyers to your business. It’s where they check the reviews from other customers, to know if they are investing in the right option.  So make sure you check your Google small business listing (If you have one).  If you don’t have one register your business today.

The Importance of Building Your Identity Online

We have all tried to search our names on Google. It’s interesting to see just how much the internet knows about your identity.

Social media makes it possible to get tagged in timelines, comments, blogs or posts that we do not wish to associate ourselves with. We have to figure that some of this personal information that is on the internet has the potential to ruin our lives and even our careers.

"The internet never forgets" - a phrase that most of us have to live with, especially those who are in the world of social media. Everyone who uses the internet leaves a digital identity and information that they have recently searched. This means that the data is spread all over the internet which can sometimes be hacked.

What we do online helps build our digital identities. Understanding what digital identity is can be a bit confusing for some people.

Building your Identity

Things get a little bit more complicated when you have an online business.

If you have a website, then your name is an essential part of building your identity. If you are a photographer, a writer and a blogger then your name is what is going to mark you on the internet.

For best results, it is best to add your name to the domain. Then you can add up the keywords that are of your current actions. If you have been at the end of bad press and bad reviews, you need the right online reviews management and even if you haven’t it might be good to look into getting someone to manage this if you have the capital, so as not take too much of your time.

You wouldn’t want people to see negative reviews about you – which could significantly affect your online business and it is better to prepare for it ahead of them then deal with it afterward.

Top Tips to Help You Build Your Online Identity

Here are some ways to build your online identity.

1. Search yourself on engine searches.

Have you ever searched yourself on a search engine such as Google and wondered if your name is shared with different people? And if the results are positive and consistent about you as a person? Is there any compromise in information that you wish others did not find about you?

These are some of the objectives that you should have every time you search yourself. Tracking your name on the internet can literally change your life. Nobody knows what the internet has on them until they monitor themselves.

 It is advised that you search and track yourself and your business at least once a week.  Or you can also set a Google Alert.

2. Join Online Networking Groups

Sites such as Facebook (News - Alert), Instagram and LinkedIn give you an opportunity to interact with people online.  It is best to join a group which you identify with in terms of interests, hobbies and other similar activities.

Some groups can even help you get a job, while others can end up being your target audience if you have a business. Be careful about the type of group that you get involved with. There are groups out there which have negative agendas and they can get you into trouble.

3. Start a Blog

Starting a blog can be a good way of increasing your visibility on search engines. Moreover, it can be a good platform for you to interact and share your ideas with other people.

Search engines give blogs a higher priority because they constantly update their content. Starting a blog requires a commitment.  You can create consistency by uploading at least 2-3 blogs each week.

You can also link other bloggers on your blog page which will help you create visibility for other people.