Ratings vs Word-of-Mouth Marketing – Which one is better for tradesmen?

Word of mouth and service ratings are more reliable alternatives to generating business than advertising, but which one is more effective?

Both word-of-mouth and online ratings can be valuable for trade pros, as they provide potential customers with information about the quality of your work.

Word-of-mouth can be especially valuable for trade pros because it is a form of personal recommendation. If someone you trust tells you they had a good experience with a particular tradesman, you are more likely to believe that the business will also do a good job for you. Additionally, people are more likely to trust and act on recommendations from people they personally know.

However, research has shown that even if a customer receives a recommendation from a friend or family, the first thing they will do is search online and see what other people are saying about that business.

So, when it comes to reaching a wider audience and making it easier for homeowners to hire you, an online presence with online ratings is also valuable to a tradesman's business to assist in building up a reputation and attracting new customers.

In a perfect scenario, a trade professional will have a good reputation through word-of-mouth referrals and a high rating on online platforms. Having both will increase the chances of attracting new customers and building a successful business.

So, it's not a matter of which one is better, as both have advantages and complement each other. Trade professionals who focus on providing high-quality work and excellent customer service will enjoy both positive word-of-mouth and online ratings, helping potential customers make hiring decisions faster with greater confidence.

Power your word-of-mouth referral business with these popular Onlinetradesmen marketing features:

• Dedicated SEO-optimised profile page
• Website Builder tool to create your own standalone website
• Build genuine business ratings and reviews
• Ratings badge you can display on your website, Facebook or other social media platforms and win more customers
• Van sticker to set you apart from the competition
• Opportunity to have your business or expertise profiled in our homeowner's newsletters or on our blog.
• Plus much more. Learn more here or schedule a call with our team.