Real estate is a word-of-mouth industry at its heart. Referrals from satisfied customers are crucial to property professionals. Of course, it would be great if you could share their positive message about your business with the world.
This is where testimonials and reviews come in. These can be used to inform others about what it is like to work with you. It can potentially boost your credibility and help you win more business. However, these are not interchangeable terms. Let’s take a look at both and explore whether one is better than the other.
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What is a testimonial?
A testimonial is when a customer shares their experience with your agency. Usually, you will request this from the person and then use it on your website, social media channels and other marketing materials.
What is a review?
Like a testimonial, a review is when a customer shares their experience with your agency. There are two main differences to note. First, reviews are posted on outside platforms, such as Google or Facebook. Second, you have no ability to go over what they have said before it goes live. There is always a chance you receive some negative feedback.
Which one is better?
Reviews carry more weight since these are seen as being more honest and forthright. Google Reviews, in particular, can have a significant impact on your agency as they are among the first things people discover when searching for more information about you.
On the other hand, testimonials have become less impactful over the past decade. That is due to a few factors, including a proliferation of fake ones and a realization these don’t always tell the whole story. However, a well-known figure’s testimonial can still catch people’s attention.
Another positive when it comes to reviews is that you can use these as testimonials once they are posted online. Some property professionals have even begun incorporating their Google Reviews page into their websites. You cannot, however, take someone’s testimonial and publish it as a review.
How do you obtain testimonials or reviews?
The best way to obtain a testimonial or review is to simply ask for it. Many are happy to do so but they aren’t thinking about it. When someone agrees, be sure to specify where they should post it. For example, tell the person to leave a review on Google and send them a link. Finally, don’t complain if you disagree with what they wrote.
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