Final answer:
Improving customer service directly impacts a company's image and reputation by fostering customer satisfaction and loyalty, leading to repeat business and referrals.
Step-by-step explanation:
To increase a company's image rating or brand reputation, improving customer service is a crucial action. While all options presented, such as increasing the advertising budget, reducing product prices, and expanding the product line, can have an impact on a company's image, top-notch customer service directly affects customer satisfaction and loyalty. Excellent customer service leads to repeat customers and referrals, which are vital for a positive reputation. This, in turn, allows a company to charge premium prices, as seen in the example of a well-established grocery store vs. a temporary stand at a farmer's market.