If there’s one online resource essential for any business, you’re not wrong in choosing Google.
Whether you love it or hate it, Google reviews are not just morale-boosting, criticism or feedback channels that will matter to your business, they are a must.
Why is that?
Google reviews would matter a lot for real estate agents and for the business, as well.
Think about it, based on current statistics, around 92 per cent of home buyers begin their search for options online and are found to look for Google reviews to verify a user or client experience with a real estate agent or agency.
While it may not be a tell-all do-all approach, Google reviews do bear their weight in gold.
Here are some facts to consider.
Prospective clients will use Google
The very thought that almost anyone who wants to look up or research a product or service starts with Google – not all the time, but definitely very often than not.
The same thing goes with recommendations or referrals regardless of whether it’s from an acquaintance, colleague or a family friend – prospects will surely type your name in Google and look for reviews that would provide information regarding your professional profile and reviews that would validate your reputation and client experiences.
Google reviews are reliable and trustworthy
Let’s face it, nothing is perfect nor is there any reason to doubt that each and every Google review can have some mistakes or inaccuracies, but it does provide a good level of confidence for those who use it and for many who have benefited from it.
One of the strengths of Google reviews is that it provides a link back to people with real Google accounts, so it makes it tough and challenging to leave anonymous and unsolicited reviews.
While the Google system does not allow people to delete negative reviews, it provides people with a good balance of authenticity and trust, as well as a good level of transparency compared with other platforms and sites.
Matters more than simply having a good website
While it pays to have a great website, there are quite a lot of people who turn to Google reviews first before diving deep to do research via a website.
There are two main reasons for this – fast and convenient.
People always want to get the information they need right away and Google reviews can be accessed with a few keystrokes and provide them with direct and straightforward results to their queries and the information they want to see.
Here’s a tip. Consider Google as your business or agency storefront and people using Google are window shopping by scrolling through the results pages. Your biggest challenge is to make them take action to click on your link.
When they see Google reviews regarding your professional track record and reputation, this would be a signal for them to take action on knowing you more or try to reach out to you.
As good as personal referrals
Not convinced yet? A consumer review survey conducted by an online global statistics firm revealed that around 85 per cent of people count and rely on online reviews as much as personal referrals and recommendations.
This means that when someone comes across your professional identity and sees positive Google reviews, they maintain the same level of confidence and assurance of your reputation as much as getting a referral from someone.
Moreover, it benefits you more than just word of mouth, because Google reviews make feedback and testimonials more professional and reliable.
Reveals that you are actively involved and engaged as an agent
This is one of the neat features of Google that helps assure users of an account holder’s status as to constantly keeps accounts updated and confirms that you are a professional and rated agent.
Yes, Google reviews may not be perfect, but it does provide you with a good level of assurance and confidence that it can help you boost your online presence and give you great leverage as a real estate agency or agent.