There is an oft-repeated phrase in business: “There’s no such thing as bad publicity.” Whether or not this is true, it is certainly true that getting a bad review from a resident can ultimately help your property. While you may not enjoy hearing negative things about your property, bad reviews can help boost your occupancy rates. Below are five ways that negative reviews can actually help you.
They Inform Potential Renters
Not all spaces are perfect for every need and renter. While the thought of renting to everyone is nice, it isn’t a realistic expectation. Instead, your future renters are making informed decisions about whether your property can meet their needs. Bad reviews can help to educate your potential renters on whether they will benefit from your offerings or not.
The most valuable renters are the ones that stay for multiple years. If your renters know what they are getting before they rent, they are more likely to be happy with their decisions. Happy residents are significantly more likely to stay long-term.
Bad Reviews Increase Trust
Have you ever looked at a product and only seen perfect, glowing reviews? It is hard not to suspect that the company is only showing you what it wants you to see. Some negative reviews demonstrate that your team is comfortable being forthright with your future renters. This is an important aspect of fostering trusting relationships with your residents.
In many cases, negative reviews aren’t even flaws with the property. They may be about something secondary such as the noisy neighbors. Additionally, they may be contradicted by other positive reviews. However, displaying that bad customer feedback puts potential renters at ease that you aren’t hiding any important information from them.
You Can Respond to Bad Reviews
Say you run a restaurant that offers delivery, and a customer received her food cold. If she didn’t leave a review saying so, you may never know there was a problem at all. However, if she gave you a bad review, you’d have a chance to respond and offer to make the situation better. It is an opportunity to convert a dissatisfied customer into a happy one, possibly even one who keeps coming back.
Mistakes happen in business, and properties have flaws. However, many of these issues are limited in scope or are resolvable. When you engage with your residents following bad reviews, you can address their concerns and make them feel heard. In many cases, simply offering an apology and attempting to rectify the problem will result in a satisfied resident.
They Provide a More Accurate Picture
Many consumers examine both positive and negative reviews when making buying decisions. They compare what other buyers liked about a potential purchase against what they didn’t like. If they are able to find examples of both good and bad things about the product or service, they are more likely to believe the reviews.
If your property has a perfect five out of five stars from every review, many potential renters will likely wonder whether the reviews are even real. Seeing some negative reviews helps them feel confident that they are getting an accurate and truthful representation of the good and bad aspects of your property.
Bad Reviews Let You Know How To Improve
Your property isn’t perfect. Every property can improve upon its offerings. Bad reviews give you a chance to improve. They are real feedback from real residents telling you what would make them happier with your property. In many ways, that is superior to traditional quality assurance testing.
Like all setbacks, a negative review can be a chance to learn. If you listen to what your residents have to say, you can improve your offerings, make them happier and increase your occupancy rates.
Join The Conversation With Opiniion
Don’t let those bad reviews go unread. They are opportunities for your property to be better. Opiniion is an automated tool that helps you collect authentic, real-time feedback from your residents. Get started today to get an in-depth insight into what your customers are saying. Alternatively, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact our team.
