In the world of real estate, your online presence is everything. People searching for a new home or property will almost always begin their search online, which is why it’s so important to make sure your website and social media accounts are up-to-date and informative. But that’s not all you need to do to make sure your business stands out from the rest. It’s no secret that online reviews are essential for businesses in the real estate industry. After all, customers trust online reviews just as much as they trust personal recommendations. In fact, a recent study by BrightLocal found that 84% of people trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. The same study also found that only 10% of customers will write a review without being asked. So, if you’re not actively working to earn more reviews, chances are you’re missing out on an opportunity to build trust and credibility with potential customers. But how do you go about getting more reviews? Keep reading to find out.
The Power of Online Reviews – Why they Matter for Realtors
We all know that online reviews matter. 92% of consumers read online reviews, and 40% form an opinion after reading just 1-3 reviews. But what about online reviews for businesses in specific industries? Are some reviews more important than others?
In short, yes. And in the case of realtors, online reviews can make or break your business. Here’s why:
The Real Estate Industry is Highly Competitive
There are over 2 million licensed real estate agents in the US alone and over 140,000 registered agents in Canada. And with most buyers starting their home search online, it’s more important than ever to stand out from the crowd. Online reviews are one way to do that. Home buyers often rely on referrals from friends and family when choosing a realtor, but those referrals only go so far. With so many options available, people want to see that you have a good track record before they commit to working with you. And what better way to show that than with positive online reviews?
Online Reviews Give You Credibility
In addition to helping you stand out from the competition, online reviews also add a layer of credibility to your business. We all know that anyone can say they’re the best at what they do, but it means something entirely different when other people say it. Online reviews give you that third-party endorsement that can make all the difference when potential clients are deciding whether or not to work with you.
And as an added bonus, positive online reviews can also help your SEO efforts by increasing your click-through rate and organic search traffic.
Negative Reviews Can Be Damaging
Of course, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows when it comes to online reviews. Just as positive reviews can help your business, negative ones can hurt it—sometimes irreparably. In fact, 67% of consumers say they would not use a business with negative online reviews. That’s why it’s so important to monitor your online presence and address any negative feedback promptly and professionally. By doing so, you can turn a negative into a positive and show potential clients that you care about delivering excellent customer service.
Top 5 Review Sites for Realtors
Anyone in the business of selling real estate will tell you that reviews and testimonials are essential. And, in today’s digital age, where everything is just a click away, online reviews are more important than ever. But with so many different review sites out there, it can be tough to know where to start. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the top five review sites for realtors, so you can easily get started building your online presence and reputation.
- Google Business Profile
- Yelp
- Zillow (US Only)
- Realtor.com
Getting More Google Reviews for Your Real Estate Business
Realtors, like any business owner, rely on reviews to build up their reputation and attract new customers. But sometimes it can be tough to get those all-important five-star reviews. Here are a few tips to get more reviews for your real estate business.
Make It Easy for Customers to Leave Reviews
The first step is to make it easy for customers to actually leave a review. Don’t make your customers jump through hoops just to leave a review. If it’s too difficult, they’ll likely just give up and move on. The easier you can make it, the better. This means including a link to your Google Business Profile (or wherever else you want customers to leave a review) on your website, in your email signature, and even on physical marketing materials like business cards and flyers. You can also include brief instructions on how to leave a review. Something like “It would mean the world to us if you could leave a review on our Google My Business page” should do the trick. The goal is to make it so easy that customers can leave a review without even thinking about it.
Provide Outstanding Service
This one seems like a no-brainer, but it’s worth repeating. The best way to earn good reviews is to provide great service. This means being responsive to your clients’ needs, going above and beyond when possible, and making the home buying or selling process as stress-free as possible.
Ask for Reviews from Satisfied Customers
Don’t be afraid to ask your happy customers to leave you a review. A simple ask can go a long way towards getting more reviews. You can do this in person, over the phone, or even via email or text message. Just be sure not to make it too difficult for them to leave a review—provide a link directly to your Google or Yelp listing, for example.
Respond To All Reviews—Even Negative Ones
When someone takes the time to write a review—positive or negative—it’s important that you take the time to respond. Acknowledge their experience, thank them for their feedback, and let them know that you’re constantly working to improve your business. A simple “Thanks for the feedback!” goes a long way towards showing that you’re interested in what customers have to say, good or bad. Not only is this good customer service, but it also shows potential customers that you care about what your customers think—and that you’re not afraid of constructive criticism. For negative reviews, take the opportunity to turn things around by apologizing and offering to make things right. You might not be able to please everyone, but you can at least show that you’re trying.
Provide Incentives for Reviews
One of the simplest ways to get more reviews is to offer incentives for customers who leave them. This could be anything from a percentage off their next purchase to a gift card to a local restaurant or retailer. You could even enter customers who leave reviews into a monthly drawing for a bigger prize, like a weekend getaway or a new tablet. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s something that will motivate your customers to take the time to leave a review.
Make it a team effort
If you want more reviews, get your whole team onboard! Encourage everyone in your office—from the agents themselves to the administrative staff—to actively seek out customer feedback and ask satisfied clients if they wouldn’t mind leaving a positive review online somewhere. The more people you have working toward this common goal, the better your chances of success will be. 5. Don’t fake it ’til you make it.
It might be tempting to try and game the system by paying for fake positive reviews or writing them yourself under different names—but don’t do it! Not only is this blatantly dishonest, but it’s also against most online platform’s terms of service (so you could end up getting banned). Plus, fake reviews are pretty easy for potential customers to spot—so why bother? Just focus on providing quality services and earning real reviews from actual happy customers instead.”
Bottom line? If you want your real estate business to succeed, start collecting reviews! They’ll help you attract new customers, improve your SERP ranking, and build trust and credibility—all essential components of a successful business in today’s digital world. So if you’re not already actively working to get more reviews for your real estate business, now is the time to start!
