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Where do reviews make the most difference?

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899

Tammy Lankford’s challenge for reviews caught my attention because I tend to forget to ask for reviews and I know it’s important in today’s world. Heck I always check out reviews on products, companies, services and individuals. It’s just what consumers do and I’m no different.

So many consumers use Yelp and I just hadn’t made the time or effort to beef up my Yelp site. Alan May jolted me with 15 impressive reviews on his site. I also checked out my son John Dunham’s Yelp with 15 extraordinary reviews. John also had taken the time to add photos to his Yelp and a great Bio, which really made his site stand out. It was apparent I was not in the ball game and got busy with a plan to beef up my presence! Adding photos and a bio added much to my site. But asking my clients for help to build my reviews was so easy and the response was amazing. I’m now wondering why I haven’t been doing this on a regular basis.

I feel strongly that reviews should always be on your website and all social media sites and we all know word of mouth is the best! But times are changing and most consumers check you out on social media and you should have a presence. I've come to realize Yelp is where  many consumers are looking to check out goods and services to purchase and they check out Realtors® too. Having a strong presence with good reviews is essential. Thus I’m going to continue building my reviews and hope the algorithm gods with Yelp accept my client’s reviews and don’t drop them down into the lower abyss of rejections!

The road to success is always under construction........ Lilly Tomlin

If you're looking for an agent who is constantly learning and adding to their marketing presence remember I do the same for my listings. If you're thinking of selling than reach out to me for a free market analysis on your home and find out how I can take your home from LISTED to SOLD for the highest price with the least inconvenience to you. Contact me at 512-346-1799 or dillard@reloaustin.com.

 

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I specialize in Listing and Selling homes in the NW Austin Area. I use my experience to guide clients through the process, whether selling or buying. It’s a beautiful thing when your career and a passion come together. I love what I do!

 

Comments (31)

Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

I ask for reviews on every transaction and have been very happy to have them on Facebook business page, website and Zillow.

Aug 09, 2018 02:36 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

I don't even know if I have a Yelp page. I know I never go there, so...

 

Aug 09, 2018 08:12 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

This is such a great challenge. It's Something we all should be doing.

Aug 10, 2018 03:31 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Hi Joe Pryor : I agree with word of mouth being the most effective but I'm seeing consumers still looking you up to validate your street creds.

Hi Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400 : It's something we tend to put on the back burner because we are busy but does need some effort to get those reviews up!

Hi Joan Cox : So true!

Aug 10, 2018 04:36 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Hi Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty : I was surprised when I checked mine out and only saw one and it wasn't given the okay to be posted!

Hi Brian England : I check businesses and products all the time and didn't realize how many were checking Realtors® out!

Hi Michael Jacobs : Why thank you sir!

Hi JL Boney, III : I mean to ask but always forget as we are talking and having fun at closing! LOL!!

Aug 10, 2018 04:40 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Hi Chris Ann Cleland : Good place to have those reviews!

Hi Marte Cliff : I didn't use to go there either but I've had many clients over the past few years talking about they checked this business or product out on Yelp. When you Google Yelp reviews always pop up! I now check lots of things on on Yelp..especially restaurants and businesses.

Hi Sharon Tara : It is a fun challenge it made me stop and take a look at something I've been meaning to do and shoved on the back burner.

Aug 10, 2018 04:45 AM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

There are sooo many options..Alignable, Yelp, etc, etc....hard to know which are the most effective.

Aug 10, 2018 05:29 AM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Research today is so easy to do regarding just about anything. That should put everyone on their best behavior & if not whatever they are doing will be known

Aug 10, 2018 06:49 AM
Rob Spinosa
US Bank - Larkspur, CA
Mortgage Loan Originator, Marin County

A few thoughts on Yelp:

1) You can't avoid it.  The shopping public uses Yelp and if you have no presence, or a bad one, it will ultimately end up hurting you.

2)  Having a great presence on Yelp does not assure that you'll generate a lot of business, though some have definitely experienced this.

3) It takes a LONG time to build a review profile on Yelp.  Your competitors have already started.  Don't delay.

Great post...thank you.

Rob Spinosa

Aug 10, 2018 07:16 AM
marti garaughty
garaughty.com - Montreal, QC
a highly caffeinated creative type...

Gotta love that Lily Tomlin quote ! ;-)

Aug 10, 2018 08:29 AM
Kevin Mackessy
Blue Olive Properties, LLC - Highlands Ranch, CO
Dedicated. Qualified. Local.

For us, it is Google first and foremost.  We are working to get more positive reviews from clients, and responding to those who would write negative reviews.  

Aug 10, 2018 10:00 AM
Francine Viola
Coldwell Banker Evergreen Olympic Realty, Olympia WA - Olympia, WA
REALTOR®, In Tune with your Real Estate Needs

I like that you are focusing on one site - I do that, too, but with Google.  I'm not sure that having one or two reviews on multiple sites is worthwhile, or if it's better to have 20 reviews on one site.  Always learning and trying to figure it out!

Aug 11, 2018 09:15 AM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

I ask for reviews after closings and I spread them around yelp, realtor.com, Zillow; arguably the three main places people look for REALTORS and then I also asked them to add them to my Google+ account because that’s becoming more and more relevant.

Aug 11, 2018 11:18 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Hi Sally K. & David L. Hanson : I want to be where the consumer is looking and I'd say they are on Yelp, Zillow, Realtor.com, your websites and can't forget Google+   so hard to keep up with all of them!!

Aug 11, 2018 12:22 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Hi Richie Alan Naggar : You are so right!

Hi Rob Spinosa : Your compeitors have started long ago and reviews aren't built overnight!

Hi marti garaughty : On of my favorites!

Hi Kevin Mackessy : Finding a place that works for you is what counts!

Hi Francine Viola : Its always a work in progress!!

Aug 11, 2018 12:27 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Hi Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor, ePRO, CRS, RCS-D : I'm getting much better about asking for reviews..we do need them in the world we live in!

Aug 11, 2018 12:28 PM
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

I haven't asked for reviews on Yelp. Not sure what the % of people actually visit it. I put reviews both good & bad on the site but I feel it's not for more professional services such as ours.

Aug 12, 2018 06:09 AM
Beth Atalay
Cam Realty and Property Management - Clermont, FL
Cam Realty of Clermont FL

Hi Dorie Dillard, I haven't asked for reviews on Yelp, it's a site many use but not sure if they would search for Realtor reviews 

Aug 12, 2018 10:25 PM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I need to get some reviews on my YELP profile as well.  You never know where a client is going to look.  And rumor has it that good YELP reviews can make you show up on a mobile search easier.

Aug 14, 2018 09:41 AM
Robin Wells
WellSwept Chimneys - Victoria Harbour, ON
Giving Peace Of Mind One Chimney At A Time

Thanks for post.  Reviews.. yes they can help.  Sometimes they may be questionable but they can help for sure.  But the can be hard to get, I think out of 25 who promise to post one, maybe one will actually do it.  But keep asking.. 

Aug 10, 2019 06:10 PM