Why are reviews so important?

It's difficult to miss third party reviews. They appear more and more in our busy routines, educating us before we make an online purchase, helping us to select a builder or plumber and informing us about our next holiday destination. Reviews are more often than not expected to feature in our decision processes, especially when it comes to selecting a care home. 

Choosing the right care home is a huge life changing decision and most care seekers will conduct extensive research before making initial contact with a care home. One of the most powerful tools for attracting new residents is independently verified online reviews, from residents and loved ones of residents who have experienced your service. Online reviews combine the personal opinions and experiences of those who have used your service and are one of the busiest sections on carehome.co.uk.

Having online reviews builds trust, displays confidence and shows transparency

Our reviews help build a level of trust with potential new residents. A care home with a range of recent reviews show a willingness to ask for feedback, a confidence in their service, a desire to listen to residents and a drive to always improve the services they provide. 

A lack of recent reviews or no reviews at all prevents a care home from telling their story. A care seeker conducting online research is far more likely to engage with a care home with published reviews than they are with one where reviews are absent. A lack of reviews means the care seeker will spend less time on their carehome.co.uk profile and could result in not contacting them in favour of a competitor with a better online reputation.

If you have regular feedback, published online, it says to the care seeker that you are a care home that is confident in consistently delivering a high standard of care. 

Of course it helps if the majority of your reviews are positive, but what is more important is that you ask for feedback frequently and reply to it, especially the more negative.

Replying positively to negative reviews will show potential new residents that you are responsive and approachable. 

What are the most effective review generation tools on carehome.co.uk?

Generating reviews is straightforward with a carehome.co.uk subscription and below are our three most popular methods. All are available by visiting your Control Panel and clicking on the Reviews tab on the left hand side.

Review cards are included in your carehome.co.uk subscription and are great as a hand-out or leave in your reception area.

Review links can be easily created to share on Facebook, WhatsApp and email.

Upload your email contacts to send a review request using our ready-made invitation.

A 'Review Us' QR Code Poster specific to your care home can be downloaded from your Control Panel. The poster can then be displayed in areas where you receive most visitors such as at your reception or in communal areas.