I had no idea that the testimonials could hurt your SEO - but it makes perfect sense- thanks for the heads up. 

Real life behavior. You are right about making testimonials a graphic so it delivers what you want but not by shooting yourself in both SEO feet. The foundation of your building greater exposure, expanding your reach with healthy frequency. To stay in the minds of real estate buyers and sellers.

I'll never fortet the scandal over testimonials on real estate agents' web sites.

Turns out that there were about 100 or so who purchased the same testimonials. 

All one had to do was Google the content of the testimonial and the SERP produced a page full of identical testimonials.

This sure does make sense and something that needs to be looked at Michael.

Pretty fantastic blog Michael! I think the smart consumer can also see through things. I have seen them where all testimonials were added on the same day within a 4 hour time span 16 to be exact. Did not seem credible to me. 

AZ SEO Expert: Phoenix SEO Consultant I had no idea not including the last name hurt SEO. I traditionally eliminate the last name so my clients can maintain some level of privacy. Thanks!

I'm guilty of at least one of these mistakes. I would like to include last names but I think past clients are worried someone may actually call them. That's why video seems like such a great way to get testimonials.

Fantastic AZ SEO Expert: Phoenix SEO Consultant ! I was an SHHS Alum as well class of 1988! Davis is still up and running. What a fantastic small world we live in:)

Great tips for testimonials AZ SEO Expert: Phoenix SEO Consultant.  My employer (a mortgage bank) forced me to exclude a persons full first and last name for any type of review....said it was non-compliant (they are just fearful of the CFPB).  

So my on-site testimonials now look fake because they have a first name with initial of last name or initial of first name and full last name.  Maybe I'll put the  borrowers social security number next to their name to help make them appear more real.....LOL!

Great advice, Michael.  I have my reviews on a separate page on my site.  You just reminded me that I will need to check if I have a link to them on my home page.

We have been trying to get more reviews on Angie's List, google and yelp and space them out (in addition to our site).  I keep seeing clicks and calls come from each of these, so it motivates us to do more.  I am also finding that some people find our site first and then will go to yelp to check us out/validate.

What do you think about Yelp reviews getting altered or removed? I have a mortgage guy that had two of his clients post on his yelp page, they were there one day and then a week later they were both gone. He tried to contact Yelp and got a run around. Yelp seems to alter whatever they want, I'm all for legitimate reveiws for sure, but not when the site owners do whatever they want.

Oh..I bet I have some problems with my testimonials as I have a lot of them, not on my home page and I keep the last names off for privacy of the client. I REALLY like the idea of putting it as an image!

Oh, I had problems with Yelp. They said it looked like I asked for people to write a review (I did) so they dinged me for it and didn't count them. 

i like the idea of video testimony if you can get your clients in front of a camera. people get shy and lock up in front of a camera.

Michael, great recap of what to not do & do for testimonials...I've been doing video testimonials for years.  I get traction from thm too!  thank you as always.

These are great tips.  I've been trying to get my clients to write more Google reviews, because Yelp doesn't honor a review from a new account.  We have plenty of good Yelp reviews, all stuff in the "not recommended" abyss. 

AZ SEO Expert: Phoenix SEO Consultant - Great tips and advice for anyone trying to get their real estate site to rank better!

Michael, I agree with all of this except setting up a Yelp account.  I don't like and won't do it.  Any "ass" can write a crap review even if they have never done business with us.  I won't open that door.  I will use all other sites that I have, at least in part, control over.  Glad to see this is Featured ... and glad to see you posting in the Rain again. 

Would love to know what an image slider is and how to use it.  Thanks for this informative post.

I can certainly tell when someone is trying to over puff.  Asking for good solid reviews and having them strategically distributed is best.

AZ SEO Expert: Phoenix SEO Consultant - Michael, I think Yelp does not provide the full name in the reviews. (Not sure if it is changed now.)

Too many reviews are not too good either - agree. However, where do we draw the line in number of reviews and size of reviews (200 words?)

A letter of reference used to mean something...Now, anyone can have at it

Great tips. I don't seek out testimonials (I know I probably should) but your advice is sound. Like others the only thing I wouldn't do is put last names on there. And as Tammie White mentioned, video is probably the best because, obviously, the reviews are real (fake testimonials on video or in print are so obvious.

I've recently tried to get a large amount of clients to write me testimonials on Z because they can be added to other sites. Guess what - my clients are refusing to add them because they hate Z.

I like the all around comment to have them all over the place. It seems that if you have your clients go to one site it would be stuffing the box so to speak. I'm going to request G from now on considering how this last Z thing ended.

Alot of people on Yelp seems to have fangs & are really nasty. I really don't want to be associated with that tone. I like it & add reviews I have to agree with Kathleen.

These sound like good solid suggestions, thank you, but what about someone who has an activerain account and doesn't even put their own name so people know who they are talking to?

Brilliant idea Michael, using an image to display the reviews. Right now I have maybe two sentences on my homepage with a link to more reviews. I'd love for clients to see more about me when they land on home.

Nice posting Michael, Thank you for the tips!