Trust. You might think it’s a mushy or over-hyped concept, but it’s vital to the success of your business.
It’s also not easily won. In a 2021 survey of consumers, only 34% said they trust the brands they use. Yet more than 80% of them said trust is a deciding factor in their buying decisions.
So how do consumers decide who to trust? One way is with reviews.
This is especially true for home-service businesses, which is why we’re going to focus on where to get reviews that can help you gain more trust and more leads.
Reviews are a window into how you do business, after all, and they help you attract more customers.
And we’re not talking about reviews on your website. Those help too, but we’re talking about review websites.
Why focus on review websites?
Because they work and they’re already trusted by your prospective customers. Plus, they’re often the first stop for homeowners looking for contractors or home services.
Having your business on big review sites will give you more visibility, help build your reputation, and build trust.
You’ll be more visible not only to potential new customers, but also to Google. Who doesn’t want to win points with Google? This can help you show up more often in online searches too.
Which review sites should you focus on?
We’ve helped many clients with their listings on a wide variety of websites. Over the years, we’ve realized that certain sites tend to bring the best results for our clients. So we’ll go over those here. There are others that can be useful too, but we recommend starting with these four.
1. Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business)
Google Business Profile is the listing that appears in Google Maps and in the sidebar on Google searches. We consider this a must-have listing for any type of business for the simple fact that it’s on the most widely used search engine on the internet. Also, it’s usually the first listing prospects will see when they come across your business–often before your website.
In other words, it can make the first impression for your business online.
This is why we suggest making Google reviews your first priority. Just ask happy customers to leave reviews on your Google listing. We promise these reviews will be noticed. Our clients have seen more views from their listings and have also gotten more phone calls from the call button on the profile.
Having a strong presence here really is your first step to getting noticed by potential customers.
If you need help or you’re pressed for time, take a look at our Google My Business Management Service.
2. Angi
Angi, formerly Angie’s List, has been around since 1995 and is the OG or Old Guard site in this space. It has a strong reputation and has many consumers using it to find and review local contractors and home service providers.
You can list your business for free on Angi, but you’ll have to pay if you want to receive leads or advertise. The cost per lead ranges from $15 to $85 or more and ads range from $4 to $8 per click. Prices depend on competition in your market.
Even if you don’t buy ads or leads, you can try a free listing on the site, which has the biggest marketplace online. Your visibility here will also depend on your ranking and reviews.
3. HomeAdvisor
Although it’s now owned by the same parent company as Angi, HomeAdvisor is a separate, trusted platform that connects homeowners with local home-service pros.
HomeAdvisor handles it differently though. Instead of showing a list of contractors on the site, it selects a list of companies and sends it to the homeowner, then connects you with those leads. It’s like a matching service between homeowners and businesses. Costs range from $15 to $100 per lead, as well as a $350 annual fee to list your company with them.
It’s another way to showcase your service and expertise. While it can be more expensive than Angi, it’s known for offering leads to bigger jobs as well.
4. Better Business Bureau or BBB
The Better Business Bureau is a well-known non-profit organization with a logo that embodies trust in the eyes of many.
It’s not a consumer or government agency, but it does provide a platform for consumers to leave reviews and ratings for businesses. It also gives businesses a chance to respond and a way to resolve disputes.
While you can claim your listing on BBB for free, one of the biggest benefits is getting BBB accreditation. This allows you to use the BBB seal on your website and shows you’ve met certain standards. To go through the accreditation process, there’s an annual fee, which starts at $500 and is based on the number of employees you have.
The BBB seal is truly one of the most trusted logos online, so it’s worth considering going through the accreditation process.
Which ones are best for you?
Our clients have had success with these, but your top sites may vary. Each target audience is different, and some local markets have their own favorites as well. So, we suggest you use this list as a starting point. Test them out for 6 months or a year to see which ones give you the best results.
Just remember to actively manage your presence on these platforms and keep asking happy customers to leave reviews. Stay on track and you’ll soon be on your way to getting more visibility online and earning more trust.
Have any questions? Let us know and don’t forget to check out our Google My Business Management Service!
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