In real estate, trust is everything—and in today’s digital world, that trust is often built (or broken) by online reviews.
You closed the deal. The client was thrilled. They even said, “I’ll recommend you.” But then… silence. No Google review. No testimonial. Just a missed opportunity to build credibility with your next lead.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Most real estate pros know that reviews matter, but very few have a system in place to get them.
In a business built on trust and referrals, online reviews are the modern equivalent of word of mouth. They give hesitant buyers and sellers the confidence to choose you over someone else.
So, how do you turn happy clients into five-star feedback machines? You don’t wait around for reviews—you make it easy, natural, and part of your process. Here are 11 strategies that work.
Why Reviews Matter for Real Estate Websites
Real estate is a high-stakes, emotional decision, and people don’t make those based on ads alone. They rely on social proof. A few strong reviews can do what even the best copywriting can’t: make a hesitant prospect feel safe, confident, and ready to reach out.
Here’s what reviews can do for your business:
- Build instant credibility with new leads who don’t know you yet
- Improve your local SEO, making your website easier to find in search
- Differentiate you from other agents with similar listings or services
- Humanize your brand by highlighting your work through real client experiences
- Drive conversions—a well-placed testimonial can tip a buyer or seller into action
If your website doesn’t have recent, relevant reviews, you’re missing one of the most effective tools in your marketing toolbox.
Let’s fix that—with 10 strategies that get real results.
11 Easy Strategies to Get More Reviews for Your Real Estate Website
Here are 11 simple and effective ways to get more reviews from your happy clients—without feeling pushy. Let’s make it easy for people to vouch for your work and help future buyers or sellers choose you with confidence.
1. Ask Happy Clients Right After Deal Closing
The best time to ask for a review? Right after closing, when emotions are high, the experience is fresh, and your client is most appreciative of your work.
Whether you helped them find their dream home or successfully sold their property, this is the moment when they’re feeling grateful—and likely to share that publicly. The longer you wait, the more that momentum fades and the less likely they are to follow through.
Here’s how to do it naturally:
- At closing, say: “It’s been a pleasure helping you. If you found the experience helpful, would you be open to leaving a quick review? It helps others find someone they can trust.”
- Follow up within 24–48 hours with a short, personalized message and a direct link to your review page (e.g., Google, Zillow, your website).
- If you’re in person, consider having a review card or QR code handy that links directly to your profile.
It’s not about begging—it’s about capturing the moment. Clients are far more likely to write a positive, detailed review when they’re still riding the high of a successful transaction.
2. Add Review Request Links on Your Website
Make it super easy for visitors and clients to leave a review by adding direct links on your real estate website. If people have to search for where to leave feedback, they are less likely to do so.
Place review request links in these spots:
- Footer of every page
- Thank you page after a property inquiry or deal
- Contact page with a short line like “Loved working with us? Leave a review!”
Link directly to your profiles on platforms like Google, Zillow, Facebook, or Yelp—wherever you want the reviews to show up. You can also use a button like “Write a Review” that opens the link in one click.
The easier you make it, the more likely people are to leave a review.
3. Add a Review Widget to Your Site
A review widget displays your client reviews directly on your real estate website—no clicks, no digging, just instant trust.
- By displaying reviews on key pages, such as your homepage, listings, or contact page, visitors can immediately see social proof. It tells them, “Others have trusted me—you can too.”
- You can use tools like Google Reviews widget, Zillow widgets, or third-party apps that auto-sync and display reviews from multiple platforms. Most are easy to install and can be customized to match your site’s design.
Bonus tip: Show star ratings and short quotes to keep it clean and easy to scan. This not only builds trust but also encourages new clients to leave their feedback.
4. Incentivize (Without Crossing the Line)
Everyone likes a little extra thank-you, and while you can’t buy reviews, you can thoughtfully show appreciation. The key is to keep it ethical and avoid offering rewards only for positive feedback.
Here are a few innovative ways to do it:
- Send a thank-you gift after a review, such as a small home décor item or a coffee gift card.
- Enter reviewers into a monthly giveaway, open to anyone who leaves honest feedback.
- Offer helpful free resources, like a downloadable home maintenance checklist or moving guide, as a “thank you” for their time.
The idea is to show gratitude, not push for five stars. When done right, it encourages more clients to share their experience, voluntarily and honestly.
5. Use SMS to Request Quick Reviews
Text messages get opened fast. SMS has a much higher open rate than email, making it a great way to request reviews.
After closing a deal or finishing a showing, send a short and polite text like:
- “Hi [Name], it was great working with you! If you have a moment, we’d love your feedback. You can leave a quick review here: [link]”
- Keep it personal, short, and easy to click. Tools like Podium, Birdeye, or even simple SMS apps can help you send and manage review requests professionally.
Timing is key—send it while the experience is still fresh in their mind. A quick, friendly message can go a long way in getting more honest reviews.
6. Ask on Social Media
Your past and current clients are likely following you on social media, so why not use it to request reviews?
Share a friendly post that says something like:
“If we’ve helped you buy or sell a home, we’d love to hear your thoughts! Your review helps others feel confident choosing us, too. Leave one here: [link]”
You can also:
- Post a photo of a happy client (with permission) and ask others to share their experience
- Add review request links in your Instagram bio or Facebook page “About” section
- Pin a post on Facebook or X (Twitter) asking for reviews
Keep your tone genuine and not too salesy. A kind reminder on social can spark great responses.
7. Send a Friendly Follow-Up Email
Sometimes, all it takes to get a review is a simple follow-up email, especially when the experience is still fresh.
After closing a deal or finishing a successful interaction, send a short thank-you email and include a review link. Keep it warm, personal, and easy to act on.
Example email:
Subject: Thank You! We’d Love Your Feedback
Hi [Name],
It was a pleasure helping you with your home journey! If you have a moment, we’d really appreciate a quick review. It helps others know what to expect when working with us.
[Leave a Review Button or Link]
Ensure the email is mobile-friendly and is sent within a few days of your last interaction. A kind nudge like this often leads to great responses.
8. Include Review Requests in Newsletters
Your email newsletter is a great place to remind past clients to leave a review gently. Since they already know and trust you, a small prompt can go a long way.
You don’t need to dedicate the entire email to it. Just add a short section at the end that says something like:
“Enjoyed working with us? Share your experience here – it helps others find the right real estate support!”
[Add your review link]
You can also highlight a recent 5-star review to inspire others to share their thoughts as well. Consistently adding review requests in your newsletter keeps the idea fresh, without being pushy.
9. Respond to Every Review—Positive or Negative
Replying to reviews shows you care, not just about the good ones, but all feedback. It builds trust with future clients and encourages more people to leave reviews because they see that you’re listening.
For positive reviews, a simple “Thank you” goes a long way. Mention something specific if you can:
“Thanks, Sarah! I’m so glad we found the perfect home for you and your family. Wishing you all the best!”
For negative reviews, stay calm and professional. Acknowledge the concern, apologize if needed, and invite them to continue the conversation privately.
“We’re sorry to hear this and want to make it right. Please reach out so we can better understand what happened.”
When you reply publicly, it shows you’re professional, responsive, and focused on improvement, which builds confidence in your future clients.
10. Highlight Client Success Stories
Sharing real success stories from happy clients not only builds trust—it also encourages others to share their own experience.
Post these stories on your blog, social media, or a dedicated section on your website. Include details like what the client was looking for, how you helped, and what the outcome was.
You can wrap up each story with a soft ask like:
“Had a great experience too? We’d love to hear your review!”
[Add a review link]
Success stories make clients feel proud and valued, and they act as powerful social proof that boosts credibility for your real estate business.
11. Use Review Management Tools
Managing reviews across platforms like Google, Zillow, Facebook, and Yelp can get overwhelming—especially when you’re busy closing deals. That’s where review management tools come in.
These tools help you:
- Collect reviews automatically after a client interaction
- Send reminders via email or SMS
- Monitor and respond to reviews from one dashboard
- Showcase reviews on your website with widgets
Popular tools include Birdeye, Podium, Trustpilot, and NiceJob. Many of them integrate with your CRM or website, saving you time and effort.
Using the right tool not only helps you get more reviews—it helps you stay on top of your reputation with less hassle.
Conclusion
Getting more reviews for your real estate website doesn’t have to be hard—it just takes the right approach and a little consistency. Whether it’s a quick text, a follow-up email, or simply asking in person, every small step helps build your online reputation.
Honest reviews not only boost trust but also influence new clients to choose you with confidence. Start using a few of these easy strategies today, and let your happy clients do the talking for you.
