For your home service business to succeed, you must establish trust with potential customers. People need to feel confident in the business’s work before committing.
Reviews allow individuals to gauge the experiences of others who have worked with a company. Customers often rely on reviews just as much as they would referrals from family and friends. According to Power Reviews, nine out of ten consumers consider reviews before making a purchase.
This article will explore how to use reviews to win more jobs and grow your home service business. Implementing these strategies will help establish your business’s trustworthiness and elevate your reputation.
Why trust is important for a home service business’s growth.
Many homeowners have limited knowledge about home maintenance, service, and repairs. Instead, they hire experts to complete these types of tasks for them.
But a person’s home is their castle, a place of security and pride. When they hire someone to come into their home to make a repair, they need to be able to trust them.
Repairs also represent a significant investment; customers need to feel confident you’ll charge them fairly. They also want to know you’ll complete the job well. The last thing they want is to have to fix the same problem again.
Inviting your business into their home requires confidence in your professionalism, especially for vulnerable individuals. A positive experience with your home service business can foster lasting loyalty and generate valuable word-of-mouth referrals.
Everything has reviews today.
When making consumer decisions, many people are looking for guidance. Social proof influences people’s decisions by demonstrating how others’ actions and choices impact decision-making. Consumers look for evidence of popular products or brands and use this information to guide their purchases.
Businesses depend on positive testimonials in our ‘rate and review’ culture to attract new customers. Good reviews are crucial for a home service business, as people use social proof to research their options.
Before contacting your company, most potential customers have already examined your ratings and reviews. If they’re not positive, you often miss the opportunity to secure their business.
5 ways to use reviews to grow your home service business.
With numerous options available, social proof can persuade people to choose your business over others.
Your reputation hinges on how effectively you leverage positive reviews. By harnessing the power of social proof, you can shape your company’s perception and expand its customer base.
1. Use 5-star reviews on your website.
Sharing reviews on your website is an excellent way to establish credibility. When they’re on your site, potential customers can view previous customer experiences while learning more about your business.
The location of your onsite reviews is crucial. Tactfully place reviews at key points across your homepage and service pages. Many review platforms allow you to embed these directly from their platform.
For instance, a page about your AC repair services should include a review highlighting your efficient, professional approach.
2. Integrate ratings and reviews into your marketing and sales collateral.
Your website isn’t the only place to showcase reviews. Embed social proof into as many areas of your business as possible, including:
- Email marketing: Highlight positive reviews in newsletters and email signatures using widgets and applications.
- Advertising and sales presentations: Use star ratings in ads and video testimonials. Include review statistics in pitches and slide decks to boost credibility.
- Print materials: Add review data to brochures, business cards, and direct mail to build trust and attract customers.
- Physical locations: Use signage, invoices, and branded materials to display quotes from actual reviews and promote social proof.
Determine the best avenues for your business to promote past successes and build trust with potential customers.
3. Use reviews to demonstrate your commitment to customer service and quality.
When requesting a review, encourage your customers to provide specific details. For example, you could ask the customer to leave a 5-star review about the quality of your service. This specificity makes incorporating testimonials into your marketing and sales materials easier.
It’s also crucial to respond to reviews, both positive and negative. A simple thank you for positive reviews demonstrates you value and appreciate the feedback. For negative reviews, apologize for the issue and express your commitment to resolving the problem.
Responding to all reviews shows your dedication to customer satisfaction and improvement.
4. Improve your SEO and online presence.
Good reviews influence more than customer perception; they also enhance search engine optimization (SEO) through keywords, engagement, and fresh content.
Don’t underestimate the value of ratings and testimonials for improving your SEO. A BrightLocal study showed that companies with a 5-star rating receive 25 percent more Google Local clicks compared to those with 3-star ratings.
Online reviews not only build trust but also boost your click-through rate (CTR).
5. Use reviews to get referrals.
When expressing gratitude for a positive review, take the opportunity to promote your referral program.
Encourage the customer to recommend your services to others they know who might benefit. Offer incentives such as future discounts or local gift cards to show appreciation for referrals.
How to ask satisfied customers for reviews.
When requesting reviews, timing and method are crucial for success. Be sure to consider the following when requesting feedback from satisfied customers:
- Ask for reviews after completing a successful service,
- Request reviews in person or through personalized emails for a more engaging approach,
- Provide clear request on where to leave a review and any specific details you’d like included,
- Follow up with customers who agreed to review but haven’t yet (after a reasonable time), and
- Monitor review platforms diligently and express gratitude to customers for their valuable feedback.
Conclusion: Using good reviews to grow your home service business.
Throughout this article, we explored strategies for leveraging reviews to attract new customers and foster loyalty. Here are the key takeaways to remember:
- Trust is critical for a home service business, and reviews are pivotal in establishing credibility.
- Potential customers rely on reviews as social proof when deciding on purchases.
- Incorporate reviews into your marketing materials to enhance your reputation.
- Positive ratings and reviews can enhance SEO and draw in more customers.
- A positive review can play a crucial role in boosting your referral program.
At AnswerForce, we’re dedicated to enhancing the trustworthiness of your business. Learn more about how our live answering service can accelerate the growth of your home service business!