Houzz has grown to become one of the preeminent websites dedicated to all things home decorating, remodeling and improvement. Not only does the site offer guidebooks, articles, product reviews and a great deal more, but homeowners can connect with professionals through the platform. Of course, hiring a professional can be daunting, and Houzz offers reviews from past customers to help users make an informed decision. As a professional with a Houzz business listing, it’s critical that you understand how Houzz reviews work, and how you can manage them accurately.

Setting Expectations

The Houzz team comes right out and says that it is important for you to set expectations about reviews from the very beginning. This means that when you work with a client, you should explain the importance of reviews for professionals in your field, and how those reviews help build your reputation. Ask them, if they are happy with your work, to please leave a review for you on your Houzz profile. Let clients know ahead of time that you’ll send them a request for a review upon completion of the project.

No Anonymous Reviews

One of the most interesting things about Houzz reviews is the fact that the site does not allow anonymous reviews. Everyone who wants to leave a review must first create a Houzz account and profile. That’s a great way to automatically cut down on fake and abusive reviews, but it can also mean that you may not be getting all the reviews you should, as your customers may not want to take the time to create an account.

The good news is that if your customers found you by perusing an idea book, or otherwise connected with you through the platform, then they already have an account. Whether or not your customers already have a Houzz account, take the time to ask them if they would be willing to leave a review.

How to Get More Houzz Reviews

Unlike many other platforms, Houzz actually lets you request reviews from your past clients, and even colleagues. In fact, you can send an email to anyone whose email address you have – they don’t need to be members of Houzz to receive a request.

To send a Houzz review request:

Go to your Houzz profile
Click on Reviews
Click Get Reviews

You’ll be presented with a page containing two form fields. The top one is where you enter the email addresses you want to send a message to, and the bottom one is where you type in the message. You can send the same message to everyone, or you can customize the message per email address.

Respond to Your Reviews

While Houzz differs from other platforms in many ways, one way it’s similar is the need to respond to reviews clients and colleagues leave for you. Whether the review is positive, neutral, or negative, take the time to reply to it. Address any concerns. Apologize for negative experiences and find out what can be done to rectify the situation. Remember that Houzz allows your clients to change their review at any time, so going the extra mile and actually trying to make things right can have a profoundly positive effect on your reputation and success.

From architects to window dealers, Houzz hosts a variety of local professionals. But regardless of your profession, your professional reputation will have a powerful and long-lasting impact on your business. Learning how to clearly set expectations for reviews, how to get more reviews from past clients, and how to handle negative Houzz reviews will help you be more prepared to protect your professional reputation and grow your business.

The Professional's Guide to Houzz Reviews

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