6 Sure-Fire Ways to Get Clients to Review Your Business
Client recommendations are a great way to gain new work, say UK pros. Here's how to encourage clients to share the love
Amanda Pollard
15 June 2021
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
When homeowners look for a renovation specialist, there are a few key factors that influence their decision. Images of your past projects are important, as is, perhaps, the price you quote. But one of the main ways to inspire confidence is through online client reviews. If you’re unsure of how to prompt customers to leave a glowing testimonial, read on for some tried and tested tips from UK-based professionals on Houzz.
1. Consider the benefits
Wondering whether it’s worth pursuing clients for a testimonial? The overwhelming answer from the pros we interviewed is ‘yes!’
“As consumers, we’re all looking at reviews of products, and services are no different,” says Natasha Burton, interior designer at NB Interiors UK. “Reviews help to give confidence to potential new clients, as they show you’ve established a great working relationship, and that’s so important to emphasise. I’ve gained work specifically down to the reviews I’ve received, and also my replies to the clients.”
“During the appointment stage, people want to know how we’ve worked before with clients and want to learn more about their experience,” says Omar Bhatti of Space Shack. “A positive review can often be even more powerful than an amazing design. It’s an opportunity for clients to find out important aspects that can’t be displayed in images, such as how good you are at your job and your ability to listen.”
Wondering whether it’s worth pursuing clients for a testimonial? The overwhelming answer from the pros we interviewed is ‘yes!’
“As consumers, we’re all looking at reviews of products, and services are no different,” says Natasha Burton, interior designer at NB Interiors UK. “Reviews help to give confidence to potential new clients, as they show you’ve established a great working relationship, and that’s so important to emphasise. I’ve gained work specifically down to the reviews I’ve received, and also my replies to the clients.”
“During the appointment stage, people want to know how we’ve worked before with clients and want to learn more about their experience,” says Omar Bhatti of Space Shack. “A positive review can often be even more powerful than an amazing design. It’s an opportunity for clients to find out important aspects that can’t be displayed in images, such as how good you are at your job and your ability to listen.”
2. Be upfront
The professionals we spoke to recommend being open with your clients about reviews ahead of time. “We try to explain to the client the benefits of leaving feedback at the very start of the project,” says Swati Sunder of Smart House Extension.
“It doesn’t hurt to point out that a great review will really help your small business to grow,” says Jessica Spencer of My Bespoke Room. “There’s no need to lay it on thick, but if you’ve struck up a good relationship with someone, they’ll most likely want to help you flourish.”
The professionals we spoke to recommend being open with your clients about reviews ahead of time. “We try to explain to the client the benefits of leaving feedback at the very start of the project,” says Swati Sunder of Smart House Extension.
“It doesn’t hurt to point out that a great review will really help your small business to grow,” says Jessica Spencer of My Bespoke Room. “There’s no need to lay it on thick, but if you’ve struck up a good relationship with someone, they’ll most likely want to help you flourish.”
3. Time it right
It makes sense to ask if a client would like to leave a review straight after a project has finished. However, the key to success is to be polite and time it correctly.
“I always follow up the end of a project with a thank you email,” says Burton. “I end it by asking clients to leave me a review and explaining the benefits to me and my business of the reviews.”
Timing is everything here, Spencer advises. “Give them enough time to digest the results and ask any questions prior to requesting a review,” she says. “Equally, don’t leave it too long – you want to catch them at that point when they’re ecstatic about the results and it’s fresh in their minds.”
Find, follow and network with professionals on Houzz to stay up-to-date with their latest projects
It makes sense to ask if a client would like to leave a review straight after a project has finished. However, the key to success is to be polite and time it correctly.
“I always follow up the end of a project with a thank you email,” says Burton. “I end it by asking clients to leave me a review and explaining the benefits to me and my business of the reviews.”
Timing is everything here, Spencer advises. “Give them enough time to digest the results and ask any questions prior to requesting a review,” she says. “Equally, don’t leave it too long – you want to catch them at that point when they’re ecstatic about the results and it’s fresh in their minds.”
Find, follow and network with professionals on Houzz to stay up-to-date with their latest projects
4. Give them a nudge
Don’t be afraid to ask again if your client doesn’t immediately get the chance to review you. “We follow up every Monday morning for the next three weeks if the feedback is still not left,” says Sunder. “Monday seems to get us the best results.”
Burton’s policy is to follow up two weeks after the first request. “If clients don’t leave a review, I do chase them a couple of weeks later and kindly mention that, if they have time, it would greatly benefit me and give confidence to future potential clients,” she says.
Don’t be afraid to ask again if your client doesn’t immediately get the chance to review you. “We follow up every Monday morning for the next three weeks if the feedback is still not left,” says Sunder. “Monday seems to get us the best results.”
Burton’s policy is to follow up two weeks after the first request. “If clients don’t leave a review, I do chase them a couple of weeks later and kindly mention that, if they have time, it would greatly benefit me and give confidence to future potential clients,” she says.
5. Trust your work
The professionals advise focusing on client relationships and doing a good job, as this should hopefully help incentivise reviews. “I think most of the time, the clients are happy enough with our services to leave feedback,” says Sunder.
“You don’t have to ask everyone for a review; quality not quantity is key,” says Spencer. “Ask for reviews from people you have a strong relationship with and are confident will shout loudly about how much they love your service.
“The person who has most contact with the client should be the person who asks for the review,” she adds.
To give your clients a great experience from end to end, consider using Houzz Pro. You can share estimates, timelines, daily logs and even 3D floor plans in real time with them at all stages of the project.
The professionals advise focusing on client relationships and doing a good job, as this should hopefully help incentivise reviews. “I think most of the time, the clients are happy enough with our services to leave feedback,” says Sunder.
“You don’t have to ask everyone for a review; quality not quantity is key,” says Spencer. “Ask for reviews from people you have a strong relationship with and are confident will shout loudly about how much they love your service.
“The person who has most contact with the client should be the person who asks for the review,” she adds.
To give your clients a great experience from end to end, consider using Houzz Pro. You can share estimates, timelines, daily logs and even 3D floor plans in real time with them at all stages of the project.
6. Make it easy
“It should be as frictionless as possible. Clients won’t take the time to leave you a review if you don’t make it straightforward,” says Spencer. “If you need to create a special link so they can click and drop their thoughts, make that happen.”
“I use Houzz to send the links to the clients for the reviews,” says Burton. “This is quick and easy to do and goes straight to their inbox.”
Use this link to help your clients leave a review on Houzz.
Your turn
How do you encourage clients to leave reviews, and how important do you feel they are to your business? Share your thoughts and tips in the Comments below, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want another great read for industry insiders? Check out this story – 3 Architecture Experts: Early Career Mistakes & What I Learnt
“It should be as frictionless as possible. Clients won’t take the time to leave you a review if you don’t make it straightforward,” says Spencer. “If you need to create a special link so they can click and drop their thoughts, make that happen.”
“I use Houzz to send the links to the clients for the reviews,” says Burton. “This is quick and easy to do and goes straight to their inbox.”
Use this link to help your clients leave a review on Houzz.
Your turn
How do you encourage clients to leave reviews, and how important do you feel they are to your business? Share your thoughts and tips in the Comments below, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want another great read for industry insiders? Check out this story – 3 Architecture Experts: Early Career Mistakes & What I Learnt
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I think it is so important as a customer to comment on both excellent and not so good service. Many people just complain when they receive bad service or product and often forget to praise fantastic service. I really try to do both. And the companies that just had glitch, one bad employee or their supplier let them down are often glad to hear about problems, so they can solve them. The ones that argue, or just ignore a complaint and / or just take your money and run are the ones to be careful of.
As we don't do all installations of our product and in most cases clients handle it themselves I try and ask for photos and reviews. Photos seems to have more success than reviews. I like both and some customers are a lot more forthcoming with feedback than others. I also understand that many customers have paid and don't want to be bothered again. The value of feedback and reviews in general can't be underestimated.
I find that the positive reviews people read on houzz.com about my company are the REASON potential clients reach out, so they understand the importance of leaving a glowing review when deserved.
They want to see their projects posted on this platform and great take pride in it. I am diligent to take photos upon completion and posting them asap. This way I use the houzz link to request the review as soon as their projects are online and they can view their projects themselves while they are still excited about their project and can show off to their friends.