Negative reviews are the bane of all online businesses. We humans, in varying degrees, love compliments and hate criticism. With the advent of the Internet, it’s become easier than ever to bestow bouquets or brickbats upon individuals, businesses, intellectual properties, or anything else that’s presented online. And there’s something about online anonymity that transforms some otherwise inoffensive people into the web equivalent of enraged poop-flinging howler monkeys, smearing their negative reviews on good people’s reputations.

I hate your blog, and am going to let the whole world know!

Considering how many people and businesses depend on their Internet reputation to help them increase visibility and means of livelihood, it’s essential to know how to deal with these unfortunate opinions. Here’s some negative review advice for your edification.

1. Turn Off the Faucet

You have the option of attacking negative reviews at the source by notifying the host site about the offending text and asking them to remove it. Contact the site’s webmaster and see what can be done. But know this right now: you had better be ready to give proof as to why the negative review/comment is wrong or slanderous.

2. Fight Evil With Good

Okay, so to some of you this may sound like stuffing the ballot box, but it’s really more of a neutralizing maneuver. If your site or business or blog only has one review or piece of feedback and it’s negative, then people may wonder why no one else is posting something positive or at the very least, refuting the bad post. Consider contacting friends and associates and ask them to post some good comments. Bear in mind, you’re not asking them to lie, but it’s amazing how many people may like the things you write about but simply haven’t gotten around to saying so publicly. Now’s their chance! But above all else, make sure the positive comments and reviews are genuine. If it ever gets out that your reviews are fake, the condemnation will be swift and relentless.

3. Do NOT Take The Bait

The last thing you need to do is to engage in the social media equivalent of a mud-wrestling match. Retaliating against trolls and troublemakers brings you down to their level. You’re trying to establish (and maintain!) a good reputation and this doesn’t help. If you give them the time of day, you’re giving them exactly what they want. If you do insist on confronting your tormentors then keep away from: insults, threats, vulgar language, and hate speech.

4. Seek Professional Help

No, not a psychiatrist. There many businesses online that monitor your reputation and help remove negative reviews and comments. Granted, this service costs, and should be an option reserved more for those of you who have a business versus someone who simply maintains a website as a labor of love.

5. But What If They Have A Point?

Sometimes people who have a legitimate grievance can get hot under the collar and start spouting off. If the negative reviews pertain to a service or goods that your provide, try to make things right before locking horns with them. Who knows? Showing someone that you are trying to do the right thing can be the difference between someone being your most vocal critic or your most ardent supporter.

And So…

No matter how nice you are or how excellent your site is, there will always be some no-life nimrod out there who takes perverse glee in tearing you down. If you stay professional and cool, show a willingness to engage in civilized, meaningful dialogue, and make an effort to address any problems that may exist, you’ll come out of this trying time with a better reputation. You no longer have to fear negative reviews again.