How to write a great online review

Believe it or not, one of the most valuable things a company can receive from their clients is honest feedback.  In the world of outdoor living transformations, who better to know if a company needs improvements or accolades than homeowners who have just completed an outdoor project?  When working so closely with a service professional to improve your home, you will certainly come across information you would like to share…but how should you handle this feedback?

Create a testimonial!  If you are absolutely in love with your new hardwood deck or can’t imagine your backyard without your new flagstone patio, we would love to hear it.  Happy clients are sincerely our biggest joy and their testimonials are our greatest reward.  Posting online reviews help companies like MasterPLAN grow and they give us the opportunity to serve more families in the same way we were able to serve yours.

In a technological world, it is safe to say that more often than not, homeowners are doing online research for/about professionals before they decide to pick up the phone.  This is one of the reasons online reviews are so important, inadvertently your words are affecting the decisions of others!  So, while you have your experience fresh in your memory from a recently completed project, it is the perfect time to put fingertips to keyboard and let the world know about your experience.  But what makes a great review…what should you include…should it be a few sentences or closer to a novel?

While everyone’s experiences are different, so are their reviews.  Whether something extraordinary happened and you just need to tell your anecdote to get your point across, or everything went exactly according to plan, there is no limit on how long a testimonial should be.  Being honest and truthful is always the best and most appreciated policy!  There are times, however, when a client just doesn’t know where to begin, and that is perfectly fine.  If you draw a blank when it comes time to write a review, focus on a few key points:

Communication

• * Was your home professional easy to get a hold of?
• * Was the company in constant communication keeping you informed about your project?
• * Were your questions answered in a timely manner?

Project

• * Did you find that the craftsmen’s attention to detail was spot on?
• * Was the jobsite kept clean?
• * Were the craftsmen respectful and on time?

Final Product

• * Are you in love with your new home improvement?
• * Did the finished product solve the initial problem?
• * Did your project start with a design, and did the final product turn out as expected?

Using these bullet points as a framework or outlining a problem/solution will start you off on the right foot.  Once you have crafted your testimonial, where should you post it?  It is best to ask your home improvement professional where they have company profiles and which carry the most weight for their business.  Here at MasterPLAN, we have found that Houzz, Facebook and Angie’s List are the sites that grab the most attention from homeowners searching for their own backyard transformation specialists!  So, once you have found the desired destination(s), feel free to post away.  Remember, you’re not just giving a pat on the back to the professionals that partnered with you for your project, you are helping other homeowners looking for a positive experience like you once were.  You will find that it’s a great feeling to know you are paying it forward!

• MasterPLAN Landscape Design is an outdoor living design/build firm located in eastern Pennsylvania.  Serving the Poconos, Lehigh Valley through the Main Line of Philadelphia and western New Jersey, MasterPLAN would love to partner with you to transform your dream backyard into your reality.  Reach out to MasterPLAN to discuss all options for your very own backyard transformation, perfect to fit your family and your lifestyle!