Dear Owner/Clients –
In today’s digital age, online reviews play a crucial role in shaping consumers’ decisions, and this holds true for the property management industry as well. Property management companies often face challenges, one of which is dealing with negative reviews from tenants who may be dissatisfied when asked to adhere to the terms of their signed agreement. However, despite this hurdle, positive Google reviews hold immense value for property management companies, and here’s why:
1. The Power of Online Reviews in Decision-Making
In 2022, renters increasingly rely on online reviews to make major decisions, including their choice of rental properties. According to the 2022 NMHC/Grace Hill Renter Preferences Survey Report, a staggering 69 percent of renters consulted property ratings and reviews during their recent rental-home search. Even more significant was the fact that 84 percent of these renters stated that their leasing decisions were influenced by the content of these ratings and reviews.
It is evident that property seekers place a high degree of trust in the experiences and opinions of their peers. Positive Google reviews can sway potential tenants in favor of a property management company, while negative reviews can deter them from considering the company’s services.
2. Enhancing Credibility and Trust
In the competitive property management industry, generating and maintaining leads is crucial for business growth. As prospective clients explore different property management options, they seek external validation to ensure they are making the right choice. Customer reviews become an essential part of the marketing and sales process, as they offer social proof of a company’s competence and commitment to excellence.
While a property management company can market its services and expertise, reviews from real clients carry more weight in building credibility and trust. Positive feedback from satisfied clients reinforces the company’s claims and instills confidence in potential customers.
3. Driving Referrals and Qualified Leads
Customer reviews not only attract new business directly but also play a significant role in generating referrals. Satisfied clients who leave positive reviews become brand advocates, recommending the property management company to others in their network. Personal recommendations are highly influential, and online reviews have become the digital equivalent of word-of-mouth referrals.
Furthermore, property management leads derived from reviews are often more qualified. When prospects read about how the company successfully addressed issues for other property owners, they gain insights into the company’s problem-solving abilities. Positive reviews serve as compelling testimonials, boosting support for the services offered.
4. Leveraging Review Management Platforms
Recognizing the importance of good Google reviews, property management companies, including ourselves, are embracing review management platforms like bluejay.com. These tools automate the review management process, making it easier to respond to reviews promptly and promote positive feedback.
We are proud that our Google reviews rating has skyrocketed this year, now that we have re-focussed on the importance of this public service.
Read more: June 2023 Market Update.
Matthew Johnson
Johnson Property Management, LLC