8 Tips On Using Customer Reviews to Sell Roofs

In the roofing business, your reputation is everything. It's the foundation of your brand, the cornerstone of your sales strategy. And in today's digital age, that reputation is often built on customer reviews.

Customer reviews are more than just feedback. They're powerful tools that can significantly influence a homeowner's decision to hire a roofer. Positive reviews can boost your online visibility, improve your SEO, and ultimately, increase your sales.

But how do you effectively leverage these reviews? How do you turn them into a systematic part of your sales process? And more importantly, how do you use them to build trust, improve your service offerings, and scale your business?

These are the questions that many roofing business owners face every day.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore 8 ways to use customer reviews to sell roofs, including:

• Collecting reviews
• Managing bad reviews
• Ways to use reviews to sell

Whether you're a seasoned roofer or just starting out, this guide will empower you to make the most of your customer reviews.

So, let's get started.

A review is as powerful as a referral

In the world of roofing, customer reviews hold immense power.

99% of customers will look at online reviews before making a purchase, and 49% of people trust online reviews just as much as they do a personal recommendation from family or friends.

In 2022, 28% of home buyers were millennials meaning that the next generation you're selling to would rather send an email than pick up the phone. 48% of millennials  don't trust traditional marketing, and want to hear reviews from real customers. If you aren't using reviews in your marketing efforts, you're missing out on a huge chunk of potential business.

More benefits of using reviews as a roofer

Potential customers want to know what your paste customers have to say about your work. They want to see proof of your expertise, your reliability, and your commitment to customer satisfaction.

But the power of client reviews extends beyond just winning new clients.

Here are some of the key benefits of customer reviews for roofing sales:

• Improved Online Visibility and SEO: Search engines love fresh, relevant content. Regularly collecting reviews can boost your SEO and make your business more visible online.
• Increased Trust and Credibility: Reviews provide social proof. They show potential customers that others have had a positive experience with your business.
• Valuable Customer Insights: Reviews can give you a glimpse into what customers value most about your service. This can help you refine your offerings and improve your business.
• Enhanced Customer Engagement: Responding to reviews, both positive and negative, shows customers that you value their feedback. This can foster a sense of community around your brand.
• Competitive Advantage: Leveraging social proof through reviews can differentiate your roofing business from competitors.

So, how can you use customer reviews to sell roofs? Let's get into it!

1. Collect reviews as part of your sales process

Collecting customer reviews should be a systematic part of your sales process, and help you build a review strategy.

Your review strategy just needs to take into account how you collect reviews, and what you do with them. It's the collecting of reviews that can be the most challenging.

Since your sales team is already in contact with customers, you can adapt your sales process to include a step to ask for a review.

You can use a platform to collect roofing reviews, like Google My Business, Yelp, and industry-specific sites. Or you can collect them on your Facebook page.

You can encourage customers to leave reviews through follow-up emails, SMS, or even in-person requests.

Here are some tips to make the review collection process more effective:

• Make it Easy: The easier it is for customers to leave a review, the more likely they are to do so. Provide direct links to your review profiles in your emails or text messages.
• Ask at the Right Time: Timing is crucial when asking for a review. The best time to ask is usually right after you've provided the service, when the experience is still fresh in the customer's mind.
• Incentivize Reviews: Offering small incentives, like a discount on future services, can motivate customers to leave a review. Just make sure to comply with the guidelines of the review platform.
• Personalize Your Requests: Personalized requests are more likely to get a response. Use the customer's name and mention the specific service you provided.
• Use a Review Management Tool: There are various software tools that can streamline the process of review collection and management. These tools can automate review requests, monitor reviews across different platforms, and provide analytics to help you understand your online reputation.

Remember, consistency is key.

Make review collection a regular part of your sales process, and you'll have a steady stream of fresh, relevant testimonials to showcase to potential customers.

2. Showcase reviews on your website and social media

Once you've collected customer reviews, it's time to showcase them. There's no point of getting them all if you aren't sharing them!

Your website and social media platforms are ideal places to highlight positive feedback.

Here's why:

• Builds Credibility: Showcasing testimonials on your website can build credibility. Potential customers often check reviews before making a decision. Seeing positive feedback on your site can reassure them of your quality service.
• Engages Audience: Video testimonials are particularly engaging. They can be shared on social media and your website. These videos can provide a more personal and relatable customer experience.
• Improves SEO: Reviews can improve your website's SEO. They provide fresh, user-generated content that search engines love. Plus, reviews often include relevant keywords that can boost your visibility in search results.

Here are some effective ways to showcase reviews:

• Testimonial Page: Create a dedicated testimonial page on your website. This page can centralize customer praise and provide a comprehensive look at your customer satisfaction.
• Social Media Posts: Share positive reviews as social media posts. This not only showcases customer satisfaction but also encourages more customers to leave reviews.
• Website Widgets: Integrate review widgets on your website. These widgets can display real-time feedback from various review platforms.
• Marketing Materials: Include customer reviews in your marketing materials, like your proposals or emails. You can even include a a reviews page in your Roofr Proposal Template to make it an automatic inclusion. This can help to attract new clients and build trust.

Remember, showcasing reviews is not a one-time task.

Regularly update your review section to keep the content fresh and engaging. This shows potential customers that you consistently deliver excellent service.

In the end, showcasing reviews effectively can significantly boost your roofing sales.

3. Respond to reviews to build trust

Responding to reviews is a crucial part of managing your online reputation.

It shows potential customers that you value feedback and are committed to customer satisfaction.

Here's why responding to reviews is important:

• Shows Appreciation: Responding to positive reviews shows appreciation. A simple thank you can go a long way in building a relationship with your customers.
• Demonstrates Responsiveness: Responding to negative reviews shows you're responsive. It's an opportunity to address any issues and show potential customers that you're committed to resolving problems.
• Encourages More Reviews: When customers see that you respond to reviews, they're more likely to leave one. It shows that you're listening and value their feedback.

Here are some tips for responding to reviews:

• Be Professional: Always respond to reviews professionally. Even if a review is negative or unfair, maintain a calm and respectful tone.
• Be Prompt: Respond to reviews promptly. This shows that you're attentive and care about your customers' experiences.
• Personalize Your Responses: Personalize your responses as much as possible. Use the reviewer's name and reference specific details from their review.
• Take Action: If a review highlights an issue, take action to resolve it. Then, follow up with the reviewer to let them know how you've addressed their concern.

Remember, every review is an opportunity to build trust with potential customers.

By responding to reviews in a thoughtful and proactive manner, you can demonstrate your commitment to customer satisfaction.

This can significantly enhance your reputation and boost your roofing sales.

4. Using negative reviews to your advantage

Negative reviews can be a tough pill to swallow.

However, they can also be a valuable tool for improving your roofing business and boosting sale

Here's why negative reviews can be beneficial:

• Identify Areas for Improvement: Negative reviews can help you identify areas where your business can improve. This can lead to better service and increased customer satisfaction in the future.
• Demonstrate Excellent Customer Service: Responding to negative reviews shows potential customers that you take complaints seriously and are committed to resolving issues.
• Build Trust: When handled correctly, negative reviews can actually build trust. They show that your reviews are genuine and not all positive, which can seem suspicious to some customers.

Here are some tips for using negative reviews to your advantage:

• Respond Promptly and Professionally: Always respond to negative reviews promptly and professionally. Apologize for the customer's poor experience and offer a solution to resolve the issue.
• Take the Conversation Offline: If necessary, take the conversation offline by providing a contact number or email address where the customer can reach you to discuss the issue further.
• Learn from the Feedback: Use the feedback from negative reviews to improve your business. Make necessary changes to prevent similar issues from happening in the future.

Remember, it's not the negative review itself that can harm your business, but how you handle it.

By addressing negative reviews in a proactive and professional manner, you can turn a negative into a positive and build trust with potential customers.

This can ultimately lead to increased roofing sales.

5. Incorporate reviews into marketing materials

Customer reviews can be a powerful addition to your marketing materials.

They provide social proof and can significantly influence a potential customer's decision to hire your roofing company.

Here's why incorporating reviews into your marketing materials can boost your roofing sales:

• Shows your skills: Potential customers want to see the work you've done in the past. Reviews and photos are a great way to do this.
• Provide Social Proof: Reviews provide social proof — real life examples of your work — shows that others trust your company and are satisfied with your services. You're not the one saying your roof installs are great; Your customers are.
• Highlight Your Strengths: Reviews can highlight your company's strengths. For example, if many reviews mention your excellent customer service, include these in your marketing materials to attract customers who value this.

Here are some ways to incorporate reviews into your marketing materials:

• Brochures and Flyers: Include a few short, positive reviews in your brochures and flyers. This can help convince potential customers of your credibility and reliability.
• Email Campaigns: Include a customer review in your email campaigns. This can help increase open and click-through rates.
• Social Media Posts: Share customer reviews on your social media platforms. This can help engage your followers and attract new customers.
• Print Ads: If you use print advertising, include a customer review in your ad. This can help increase the ad's trustworthiness and appeal.

Remember, the goal is to use reviews to showcase the positive experiences of your past customers.

This can help convince potential customers that your roofing company is the right choice for them, ultimately boosting your sales.

6. Analyze reviews for business improvement

Customer reviews are not just a tool for attracting new customers. They can also provide valuable insights into your business operations.

Here's why analyzing reviews can lead to business improvement and increased roofing sales:

• Identify Strengths and Weaknesses: Reviews can help you identify your company's strengths and weaknesses. This can guide your business improvement efforts.
• Understand Customer Needs: Reviews can provide insights into what your customers value most about your services. This can help you better meet their needs.
• Improve Customer Satisfaction: By addressing the issues raised in reviews, you can improve customer satisfaction. This can lead to more positive reviews and increased sales.

Here are some ways to analyze reviews for business improvement:

• Regularly Review Feedback: Make it a habit to regularly review customer feedback. Look for common themes or recurring issues.
• Use Analytics Tools: Use analytics tools to track and analyze your reviews. This can help you identify trends and patterns.
• Act on Feedback: Don't just collect feedback - act on it. If a review highlights an area for improvement, make the necessary changes.

Remember, the goal is to use reviews as a tool for continuous improvement.

By addressing the issues raised in reviews, you can improve your services, increase customer satisfaction, and ultimately boost your roofing sales.

7. Create a referral program based on customer reviews

Referral programs can be a powerful tool for roofing businesses. They can help you leverage the power of customer reviews to attract new customers.

Here's why creating a referral program based on customer reviews can boost your roofing sales:

• Incentivize Word-of-Mouth Marketing: By offering incentives for referrals, you can encourage satisfied customers to spread the word about your services.
• Build Customer Loyalty: Referral programs can also help you build customer loyalty. Customers who refer others to your business are likely to be loyal customers themselves.

Here are some tips for creating a successful referral program based on customer reviews:

• Offer Incentives: Offer incentives to customers who refer others to your business. This could be a discount on future services, a gift card, or some other reward.
• Promote Your Program: Make sure your customers know about your referral program. Promote it on your website, in your marketing materials, and in person.
• Make It Easy: Make it easy for customers to refer others to your business. Provide them with a simple way to share their positive experiences and your contact information.

Remember, a successful referral program can help you turn positive customer reviews into new business opportunities. It's a win-win situation for both you and your customers.

8. Leverage reviews in sales pitches

Customer reviews can be a powerful tool in your sales pitches and consultations. They provide real-world proof of your roofing company's quality and reliability.

Here's why leveraging customer reviews in your sales pitches and consultations can boost your roofing sales:

• Build Trust: Sharing positive customer reviews can help build trust with potential clients. It shows them that others have had a positive experience with your company.
• Highlight Success Stories: Customer reviews can also serve as success stories. They can highlight specific projects where your company exceeded expectations.
• Address Concerns: If potential clients have concerns, customer reviews can help address them. They can show that your company is responsive and committed to customer satisfaction.

Here are some tips for leveraging customer reviews in your sales pitches and consultations:

• Prepare Ahead of Time: Before a sales pitch or consultation, select a few customer reviews that highlight your company's strengths. Be ready to share these reviews with potential clients.
• Use Visuals: Consider creating a visual presentation of your customer reviews. This could be a slideshow, a video, or a printed brochure.
• Personalize the Pitch: Try to match the customer reviews you share with the needs and concerns of the potential client. This can make your pitch more relevant and persuasive.

Remember, customer reviews can be a powerful sales tool. By leveraging them in your sales pitches and consultations, you can build trust, highlight success stories, and address potential concerns.

Integrating reviews into your roofing business strategy

In conclusion, customer reviews are a powerful tool for your roofing business. They can help you build trust, improve your services, and boost your sales.

Integrating customer reviews into your business strategy is not just about collecting them. It's about actively using them to your advantage. This means showcasing them on your website and social media, responding to them in a way that builds trust, and even using negative reviews to your advantage.

It also means incorporating them into your marketing materials, analyzing them for business improvement, and creating a referral program based on them. And, of course, it means leveraging them in your sales pitches and consultations.

Remember, the goal is not just to collect reviews, but to use them to build a stronger, more successful roofing business. So, start integrating customer reviews into your business strategy today. You'll be amazed at the difference they can make.

In the world of roofing sales, customer reviews are your best friend. Use them wisely, and they can help you take your business to new heights.

For more tips on growing your business, check out these resources:

The ultimate guide to choosing roofing software.

Using software to save money.

New to roofing? This guide can help you get started.

Going digital: Online roof proposals 101.