My biggest concern is the cost. For most cash-strapped students (Gradversity’s target audience), cash can be difficult to come by. I would love to hear more from you about how this service can help new grads, specifically taking into account the challenges they face.

You are definitely right in saying that ReputationDefender is a good tool for job seekers. The “Google Reference Check,” as you put it, is definitely alive and well, which is one of the big reasons our customers turn to us. Not only do we help people understand their online presence, but we help them modify it so that they are promoting their positive identities on the web.

Whether or not the service is worth paying for is another interesting question. Effectively managing one’s online reputation requires a sustained and deliberate effort that combines web monitoring as well as the proactive promotion of positive content. If that’s something that someone has the bandwidth and desire to take on themselves, kudos to them.

We believe, however, that, for the majority of busy professionals, our services fulfill an important need. Many people simply don’t have the time or don’t consider the importance of online reputation management until it’s too late, at which point their small problems have become too big to deal with on their own. Continuous monitoring by a team of professionals is an effective way of heading off any problems before they begin.