How is a business like an unruly garden? Sounds like a riddle, but maybe doing yard work is an apt metaphor for running a business.

Every time you turn around there’s another weed growing, or grass that needs trimming, or something wilting. Not to mention aphids, gophers, and other joys of nature.

It takes frequent attention to keep the whole thing from becoming a jungle of weeds… or turning into a dustbowl.

Online reputation works a lot like this. Neglect it for even a short while, and soon the “weeds” of negative pages start to pop up in your Google search results.

That’s when you know there’s more work to be done.

What about your business? What are some signs that you’ve neglected one area or another, and what’s your best tip for keeping on top of things?