As a real estate agent, building a strong reputation in the industry is essential for success. One of the most effective ways to do this is through online reviews. And when it comes to real estate reviews, Zillow is one of the most important platforms to focus on. But be aware, though, getting a Zillow review request is not as straightforward as it sounds.
What is Zillow?
Zillow is a leading online real estate marketplace that allows buyers, sellers, and agents to connect and collaborate. It’s a platform that’s been trusted by millions of people across the country for its accuracy, convenience, and user-friendliness. As an agent, having positive reviews on Zillow can be a game-changer.
In this blog post, we’ll explain why Zillow reviews are so important for real estate agents and give tips on requesting them from your clients. We’ll also provide guidance on writing great reviews that will help your favorite agents stand out from the crowd. So, let’s get started!
Why is Zillow so popular in the real estate industry?
Zillow is preferred by the real estate industry for a number of reasons. Here are a few statistics that help to illustrate why Zillow is such an important platform for real estate agents:
- Zillow is the most visited real estate website in the United States. According to SimilarWeb, in January 2022, Zillow had over 88 million visits, while its closest competitor, Realtor.com, had just over 50 million visits.
- Zillow has a massive audience. According to the company, its website and mobile apps reach more than 200 million monthly active users across the United States.
- Zillow is known for its accuracy. The company uses advanced algorithms and data analysis to provide estimates of home values, known as Zestimates. In 2019, Zillow reported that the median error rate for Zestimates was just 1.9%.
- Zillow has a strong reputation. According to a 2021 survey by BrightLocal, 87% of consumers read online reviews for local businesses, and 84% trust those reviews as much as personal recommendations. Zillow has a reputation for being a trustworthy source of information, which makes positive reviews on the platform highly valuable for real estate agents.
Overall, Zillow’s massive audience, accuracy, and reputation make it a highly valuable platform for real estate agents to showcase their listings, connect with potential clients, and build their reputations through positive reviews.
Benefits of Zillow Reviews
Positive Real Estate agent reviews on Zillow can provide realtors with numerous benefits, including increased visibility and credibility.
Here are some of the ways that Zillow reviews can help agents:
Increased Visibility
Zillow is one of the most popular real estate websites in the United States, and having positive reviews on the platform can help agents to stand out from their competitors. Reviews on Zillow are prominently displayed on an agent’s profile page and can also be featured in search results and on other websites that use Zillow’s data.
Improved Credibility
Online real estate reviews are powerful for building credibility and trust with potential clients. Positive reviews on Zillow can demonstrate to prospective clients that an agent is knowledgeable, professional, and trustworthy, which can be critical in a competitive industry like real estate. You can even get accredited as a Zillow premier agent.
Boosted Search Engine Ranking
Positive reviews on Zillow can also have a positive impact on an agent’s search engine ranking. Search engines like Google use a variety of factors to determine which websites appear at the top of search results, and online reviews are increasingly being recognized as an important ranking factor. According to a 2020 survey by Moz, online reviews are the fourth most important factor in local search ranking.
How to Request a Zillow Review
If you’re an agent who wants to request a review, here are the steps you should follow for Zillow review requests:
Ensure a Positive Experience with the Client
The first step in requesting a Zillow review is to make sure that your client has had a positive experience working with you. If your client is happy with your services, they are more likely to be willing to leave a positive review.
Ask for Permission to Request a Review
Once you’ve confirmed that your client is satisfied with your services, the next step is to ask for their permission to request a review on Zillow. Be clear about the value of the review for both you and potential clients, and explain the process for leaving a review, i.e., with a review form.
Provide a Clear and Simple Process for Submitting a Review
To make it easy for your clients to leave a review on Zillow, provide them with a clear and simple process for submitting their feedback. This could include sending them a direct link to your Zillow profile, providing step-by-step instructions, or even setting up a dedicated landing page for reviews. You can even email multiple clients.
Follow up with the Client
Finally, it’s essential to follow up with your client after they’ve left a review on Zillow. Thank them for their feedback, and let them know you appreciate their support. This can strengthen your relationship with the client and encourage them to refer you to others.
Tips for Writing a Great Zillow Review
If you’ve had a positive experience working with a real estate agent and want to write a great review on Zillow, here are some tips to follow:
Be Specific and Provide Details
When writing your review, include specific details about your experience working with the agent. This could include information about how they helped you find your dream home, their responsiveness to your questions and concerns, or any other ways that they went above and beyond to provide exceptional service.
Mention the Agent’s Name
To make your review more personal and meaningful, be sure to mention the agent’s name. This can help other potential clients to connect with the agent and understand their unique strengths and qualities.
Use a Positive and Professional Tone
While it’s essential to be honest about your experience, it’s also important to use a positive and professional tone when writing your review. Avoid using negative or critical language, and instead, focus on the positive aspects of your experience working with the agent.
Mention the Agent’s Strengths and Qualities
Finally, be sure to highlight the agent’s strengths and qualities in your review. This could include information about their knowledge of the local market, their professionalism and communication skills, or any other qualities that stood out to you during your interactions with them.
By following these tips, you can write a great Zillow review that provides valuable information to other potential clients and helps to boost the agent’s visibility and credibility on the platform.
When is the best time to request reviews on Zillow?
The right time to request reviews on Zillow can vary depending on the circumstances of your relationship with your client. However, there are a few general guidelines that can help you to determine the best time to request a review:
After a Positive Experience
If your client is satisfied with your services and has had a good experience, they will be more likely to be willing to leave a positive review.
At the End of the Transaction
One standard time to request a review on Zillow is at the end of a transaction. This could include after the client has successfully closed on a home or completed another real estate transaction. At this point, your client will clearly understand the quality of your services and can provide detailed feedback about their experience.
When the Client Expresses Satisfaction
If your client expresses satisfaction with your services during your working relationship, this can be a good time to request a review. For example, if your client thanks you for your hard work or expresses gratitude for your assistance, you can use this to ask for a review.
There are a lot of variables to consider here. The right time to request reviews on Zillow will depend on the unique circumstances of your working relationship with your client.
However, by focusing on positive experiences, the end of the transaction, and expressions of satisfaction, you can increase the likelihood that your clients will be willing to leave reviews, boosting your visibility and credibility on the platform.
Can a Zillow review get rejected?
If a Zillow review gets rejected, there are a few potential reasons why this could have happened:
- Violation of Zillow’s Guidelines: Zillow has specific guidelines for reviews, and if your review violates these guidelines, it may be rejected. For example, reviews that contain profanity, hate speech, or personal attacks are not allowed on Zillow.
- Suspicion of Fraud: Zillow has measures to prevent fraud, including using automated systems and human moderators to review reviews for suspicious activity. Your review may be rejected if it is suspected of being fraudulent or fake.
- Lack of Detail or Relevance: Zillow encourages reviews to be detailed and relevant to the real estate transaction. It may be rejected if your review is too short or lacks detail.
What to do if your Zillow review is rejected?
Zillow has made it easier to give you a chance to review your review. Here’s what you need to do if your review is rejected:
- Review Zillow’s Guidelines: Review Zillow’s guidelines to ensure that your review meets their requirements.
- Revise Your Review: If your review was rejected for lack of detail or relevance, consider revising your review to include more information about your experience working with the agent.
- Contact Zillow Support: If you believe that your review was unfairly rejected, you can contact Zillow support to request a review of your review. They can provide additional information about why your review was rejected and help you to revise it accordingly.
While having a review rejected can be frustrating, it’s important to remember that Zillow has guidelines to ensure its platform’s integrity. By following their guidelines and providing detailed and relevant feedback, you can increase the likelihood that your review will be accepted and help to boost the agent’s visibility and credibility on the platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I request a review on Zillow?
To request a review on Zillow, send your client a link to your Zillow profile and ask them to leave a review. You can also provide them with instructions on submitting a review on Zillow.
How many reviews should I request from a client?
There is no hard and fast rule on how many reviews to request from a client. However, it’s essential to be mindful of your client’s time and not to overwhelm them with too many requests. One or two requests throughout your working relationship are sufficient.
Can I offer incentives for leaving a review on Zillow?
Zillow’s guidelines prohibit offering incentives or rewards for leaving a review. Doing so can result in your reviews being removed and harm your credibility on the platform.
How long does it take for a review to appear on Zillow?
Zillow reviews typically appear on the platform within 48 hours of being submitted. However, it can take longer if the review is flagged for review by Zillow moderators.
Can I edit or remove a review on Zillow?
Zillow does not allow agents to edit or remove reviews on their profiles. However, if you believe that a review violates Zillow’s guidelines, you can report it to their support team for review.
Conclusion
Zillow reviews are a powerful tool for real estate agents to increase their visibility and credibility on the platform. By requesting reviews from satisfied clients, agents can showcase their strengths and qualities to potential clients and improve their search engine rankings on Zillow. Remember, to get the most out of Zillow reviews, it’s important to ensure a positive experience with your clients and to follow up with them to request reviews. And if you’re a client who had a positive experience working with an agent, we encourage you to leave a review on Zillow. Your feedback can help other potential clients make informed decisions and help your agent grow their business.
