1 These days creating a good impression is more than just shaking hands and presenting a well-designed business card when you first meet someone. That's because before you even attended a meeting with a prospective client or a potential employer, you can guarantee that they've already searched your name, checked to see if your company has a good reputation via online review sites and even searched your personal online history.

2 To manage your online profile, start with your company's website. According to researchers at the Missouri University of Science and Technology, it takes under three seconds for an online visitor to start to form an opinion of your brand from the website. The researchers also tracked eye movements and discovered that visitors tend to gain their first impressions from the logo, photographs, menus and, in particular, the opportunity to make contact via social media. In other words, projecting the right kind of online image is not just about looking good, but companies should also make sure their customers can interact with them and start building a relationship.

3 Individuals such as freelancers and job-seekers also need to think carefully about their social media image before posting photos and comments online. A recent survey of 450 employers showed that more than 40% had taken a dislike to a potential employee as soon as they'd checked the person's Facebook page. One typical reason for rejection was finding out that the information on the CV didn't match the applicant's online profile. It's a good idea for anyone who is self-employed or looking for a job to think about how they come across to people and to make sure their online profile promotes a positive and truthful image.