How to Get More Positive Reviews from Clients

You have a stack of satisfied clients, but your reviews pages are practically bare. Is there some secret to getting happy customers to rave about it on social media? You bet there is. Here’s how to do it.

Create Profiles on Multiple Platforms

There are many places that customers might choose to leave a review. You are probably familiar with reviews on social media sites like Facebook and Yelp. Many of your clients will be, too, so you should create and maintain profiles for them. Industry-specific review sites include Angie’s List and HomeAdvisor. Some sites allow customers to leave reviews for companies, whether or not they have a profile. The last thing you want is for one lukewarm client to set the entire stage for your prospective customers’ view on your services. Avoid that issue by starting a profile on these sites yourself, as soon as you start your business.

Make Your Review Profiles Easy to Find

People who had a bad experience want to tell the world about it, but people who are really pleased may not go out of their way to say it. Your goal is to make reviewing as simple as possible, taking virtually no time at all. Keep a list of your review profiles on your website, so that all people have to do to find them is to click on a link. Publish testimonials on your own pages, with permission from your clients.

Keep All Information on Review Profiles Updated

People often find out about businesses by starting at a review site. They punch in some information and your business’s name comes up. This means that, for many people, the first information they get about your business is from the review profile you have created. The nature of social media and review sites is that they may not actually go to your own website before deciding if they will contact you for service. As such, you should be sure that all the information about pricing, available services or contact information is current. This way, when a customer comes back to the site to leave a review, they know everything you advertise is correct.

Interact With Reviewers, Positive and Negative

On occasion, you may get a negative review. Many companies have turned negative reviews into positive reviews simply by the way that they choose to deal with the criticism they receive. In all your public dealings with clients, keep in mind that many more potential customers are reading the transaction. Let positive reviewers know that you are happy to have had their business if the review site permits it.

Answer negative reviews with concern and respect. When clients know that you will work hard to respond to customer problems, they will be more likely to raise them personally than simply to leave a harsh public review.

Maintain Contact With Satisfied Customers

Many of your clients want to know that, once the project is complete and you have received payment, you are still interested in their needs. Follow up with your existing customers to see how they are satisfied with the work you did. Ask them to provide a written review of your services, and make it easy for them to do so. Send emails from an account with a name your customers will recognize, even if you choose to use an automated email service. This will make the review process more personable.

Avoid Review Gray Areas

There are many ways to ask your customers to give you a positive review, but not all of them are wise. Some businesses make the mistake of providing incentives for a good review. This shouldn’t be necessary, and can actually be illegal. Most review sites have express rules against giving freebies or discounts to customers who leave good reviews on products or services. You can avoid this risk entirely by taking the high road of asking your clients in person to review your work, or later via email.

Collecting more positive reviews involves getting your business out there, keeping track of your customers, and making sure you always put your best foot forward. To start your contracting business today, contact us at CSLS!