Want to earn a 5-star HomeAdvisor review? It’s not rocket science, but it takes a special kind of elbow grease to “wow” your clients
When your business comes up along your competitor’s in search results, you better believe the guy with 5-star reviews across the board always wins. The question is: how do earn a perfect HomeAdvisor review every time you complete a job?
Now, we’re not going to say it’s easy, but it’s not as hard as you think. A lot of what makes the perfect recipe for a 5-star HomeAdvisor review is simple business sense and customer service. Know what your customers are looking for, and you’ll spin together an experience worthy of a perfect review.
Step #1: Always follow-up first and show a positive attitude
Once HomeAdvisor sends you the contact information for a lead, you have to make sure you’re handling it correctly. The first step is calling right away. Your local competitors will receive these leads, too, so call first and make the best impression.
Side note: once you gain several great reviews, you’ll receive better leads. People will request a quote directly from you, rather than you trying to follow-up on a lukewarm lead from HomeAdvisor.
Here are a few ways to stick out and make a good first impression (so you land the business):
- Offer to buy them lunch at a local cafe or sandwich shop. Don’t try to close right away. Simply express your wish to get to know them better and talk about the details of the job.
- If you leave a voicemail, make sure you leave your full-name, phone number, and website (in case he or she would like to research you). Speak in a friendly, “Hi, neighbor” tone and always say “thank you.”
Step #2: Show up 10 minutes early and finish the job within the agreed timeframe
The first meeting, the first day, the last day—show up early and ready to work. People are busy, and they don’t have time to wait around for you. Make sure you’re early and get started.
Once you and the client have decided on the price and the timeframe for the job, make sure you’re ready to meet that deadline. Keep your schedule organized and give yourself enough room to work steadily and do a fantastic job.
By the way: this goes for anybody—handymen, landscapers, house cleaners, plumbers, electricians, etc. Make sure you’re completing your work promptly.
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With all your HomeAdvisor reviews bringing in new business, you’ll need a way to automate your follow-up efforts. That’s our specialty. Schedule a demo with us, and we’ll show you how to turn leads into customers with less work!
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Step #3: Smile! People don’t like unfriendly contractors working in or around their homes
It’s so simple, it’s almost stupid. Nonetheless, it’s crucial to your excellent HomeAdvisor review: be friendly and respectful.
Your clients are not “business people” at home. As a contractor, you’re engaging them in their every day lives, outside the hustle and bustle of their nine-to-five careers. You’ll meet the kids, pet the dog, and maybe even use their bathroom (if absolutely necessary). So make sure you’re walking into their personal lives with a smile and a respectful manner.
The last thing people want is a grumpy landscaper huffing and puffing around the house, not saying a word to anyone. Or, on the opposite spectrum, a making a ton of noise and swearing at people on the phone while he works. That will keep you far away from receiving an excellent HomeAdvisor review.
Step #4: Go above and beyond what is expected (and never charge for it)
A 5-star review is not something given but earned. From the homeowner’s point of view, that’s like telling other people “there is no one better than this guy. Hire him now.” That sort of recognition doesn’t come for free.
You can do all of the first three steps in this post and never get a perfect review. What bumps you into the stratosphere of “amazing” local contractors is one thing: going the extra mile. That’s how you get a 5-star review. You have to blow them away.
When you get the job, start planning how you can really “wow” the homeowners.
Step #5: Don’t assume they’ll review you (even happy customers forget to share)
You have to develop a process to ask for a review in a non-abrasive way. You can’t bank on people reviewing you, even if they loved the work you did. If you want it, you have to ask for it.
But asking for a review can shake people’s confidence. So, it’s best to allow them to enjoy the work you did for a while. After a few days, send them a postcard in the mail. Thank them for their business and politely ask that they review your work on HomeAdvisor. You can also accomplish this through email, but a hand-written letter wins hearts.
Make HomeAdvisor work for you: follow these steps for a perfect review every time
When you think about it, it’s not that hard to determine what it takes to land great reviews. You’ve seen it in restaurants, supermarkets, clothing stores, and many other places. Ask yourself: what did those people do for me? Why did I walk out of there feeling great about the experience? Take those ideas, inject them into these steps, and follow them every time you receive a HomeAdvisor lead.
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With all your HomeAdvisor reviews bringing in new business, you’ll need a way to automate your follow-up efforts. That’s our specialty. Schedule a demo with us, and we’ll show you how to turn leads into customers with less work!
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