In this digital age, where home-buyers and sellers turn to the internet for their real estate needs, agents often wonder how they can get their reviews to appear prominently in Google search results. With Google's secretive algorithm, it's challenging to predict whether Facebook reviews or testimonial pages will rank in the top 10 organic results.
It's essential to recognize that most consumers don't venture beyond the first page of search results. Google has conditioned us to expect the most relevant websites to occupy the top spots. Therefore, it's crucial to ensure that your reviews are visible on the first page. The good news is that real estate agents can get their Google reviews prominently displayed, and the process doesn't require climbing mountains. However, it does involve unlocking a special Google feature.
The Power of a Google Business Profile
You might have come across Google business profiles while looking for restaurants or local businesses. These profiles showcase photos, reviews, and other details, and they appear at the top of search results on mobile devices and in the right column on desktops. What you may not realize is that as a real estate agent, you can take advantage of this feature by creating a Google business profile. Once set up, you can generate reviews that will appear on your profile.
How to Set Up a Google Business Profile
Setting up a Google business profile is a straightforward process that involves verification. Google wants to ensure that you are who you claim to be and that your business address is valid. To verify your profile, Google will send a postcard with a unique verification code and instructions to your office address. While snail mail can be slow, taking up to 14 days, this step is crucial to claim ownership of your profile.
After receiving and following Google's instructions, it's time to build your profile. To enhance your SEO and generate leads, it's essential to complete every section of your profile. This includes providing accurate contact information, operating hours, a detailed business description, relevant images, and, of course, gathering reviews from former clients and those who can vouch for your work ethic. Remember, regularly updating your profile is just as important as completing it, as Google wants to showcase relevant and up-to-date information to its users.
Soliciting Reviews for your Google Business Profile
Once you've claimed and verified your Google business profile, it's time to start soliciting reviews. Remember that it might take some time for people to write reviews, so while you wait, focus on filling out your profile. To request a review, you'll need to claim a short name through your account. Google will then generate a unique URL that you can share with others, inviting them to leave a review.
Research indicates that consumers need to read at least 10 positive reviews before they start trusting a business. So, aim to gather a substantial number of reviews. Additionally, responding to reviews is crucial. Google found that businesses that respond to reviews are deemed 1.7 times more trustworthy than those who don't. Investing the time to actively engage with reviews not only builds trust with potential clients but also signals to Google that your profile is valuable and deserving of a higher ranking.
Lastly, don't forget to consistently request new reviews. Regularly updating your profile with fresh reviews significantly impacts your search result ranking. Our internal data for the Google business profile we manage through Homesnap Pro+ demonstrates that agent profiles with recent reviews generate 300% more views, clicks, and actions than those without recent reviews.
The Power of Homesnap Pro+
Managing a Google business profile can be time-consuming, similar to maintaining a presence on social media platforms. This is where Homesnap Pro+ becomes invaluable. As a Google Premier Partner, Homesnap Pro+ bypasses postcard verification and allows you to claim your account online, often within 24 hours. Their team fills out all profile fields, optimizes content for better search result performance, and ensures accuracy by using your verified contact information, listing images, and details directly from your MLS.
With a Homesnap Pro+ membership, you gain access to their One-Click Review Tool, which simplifies the process of requesting reviews directly from the Homesnap Pro+ dashboard. You'll also receive alerts when new reviews are published, enabling you to read and respond promptly. Additionally, Homesnap Pro+ equips you with tools to mitigate the impact of any negative reviews.
Conclusion
Don't miss out on the opportunity to boost your Google reviews and improve your online presence. Discover the benefits of Homesnap Pro+ membership, a trusted professional Google Business Profile management service used by tens of thousands of agents. Save time and maximize your online visibility with Homesnap Pro+ today!
Image Source: Can Real Estate Agents Get Reviews on Google?
