How to Request and Manage Reviews on RateMyAgent
Overview
RateMyAgent provides a streamlined process for requesting and managing reviews for property transactions. This guide will help you understand the steps required, address common issues, and ensure successful review submissions.
Agent rankings are based on an agent's activity as a Lead Agent and reflect their activity for a rolling 365-day period (not calendar year).
Rankings also account for an agent's recorded activity or reviews linked to specific suburbs, allowing them to appear in rankings for areas even if they haven't physically operated there.
Requirements for Initiating Review Requests
To send a review request on RateMyAgent, you must meet the following requirements:
Confirmed Property Sale: The property must be marked as sold in the system for reviews to be initiated. Vendors cannot leave a review until this step is completed.
Agent Linkage: Only agents linked to specific property listings and added to the office profile are eligible for review requests. Unlinked agents will not show up as an option.
Outcome Confirmation: Before sending a review request, confirm that the property's outcome has been completed. This enables the review request option for the property in the system.
Scenarios and Troubleshooting Common Issues
Why Are Testimonials Flagged?
Testimonials may be flagged if they fail to meet the RateMyAgent Review Integrity Process. One common reason is the detection of a shared IP address between the reviewer and either the seller or the associated agency. To maintain the authenticity of reviews, RateMyAgent takes measures to prevent duplicates or reviews submitted under improper circumstances. When verifying reviews, it is essential to ensure clients avoid using shared devices or locations associated with the agency, as this could trigger fraud detection. Encourage clients to use their personal devices and independent settings for review verification.
How to Submit a Testimonial After It's Flagged
If a testimonial is flagged, you can take the following steps to successfully resubmit it:
Use a Different IP Address: Ensure that the reviewer submits the testimonial from a network that does not match the seller's or agency's IP address.
Use an Alternate Email Address: If the original email address has been flagged, it cannot be used again. The reviewer must use a different, valid email address to submit their testimonial. - If no alternative email address is available, the review can be submitted using an email owned by a family member or trusted acquaintance instead.
Import and Copy the Review: After submission, the seller can copy and import the review onto their profile using the appropriate link. This ensures the testimonial is publicly displayed while complying with the platform’s guidelines.
Missing Agents in Review Requests
If a desired agent does not appear as an option for sending a review request:
Verify that the agent is linked to the specific property listing.
Check that the agent is added to your office profile.
Ensure their name is present in your CRM system and repushing the data to RateMyAgent if needed. Only linked agents will appear.
Vendors Unable to Leave Reviews
If your vendor cannot leave a review:
Confirm that the property sale is reported as sold. Once confirmed, either: - Send a direct review request to the vendor through your dashboard.- Guide the vendor to search your name in our website and search for the property to submit an organic review. Ensure that review requests are sent to the vendor’s personal email address, avoiding agency or professional domains. If necessary, a relative or family member’s email may be used while adhering to platform compliance rules.
Make sure the vendor uses a unique IP address and an email not previously flagged when submitting their review. If needed, they can rely on alternate emails from trusted acquaintances or family.
Sending Review Requests
Follow these steps to initiate a review request:
Log in to your RateMyAgent profile.
Navigate to the "Reviews" section.
Select "Request" and enter the required details to send the request.
You can request reviews from sellers or buyers for transactions where you were directly involved, such as representing sellers like in transaction-based scenarios. Collecting reviews from both buyers and sellers of the same property is encouraged as it counts as a single recommendation towards your rankings. However, reviews from both parties also offer distinct SEO benefits, enhancing your visibility and profile impact.
Maintaining Your Trusted Agent Badge
To stay compliant with the Trusted Agent badge requirements:
Always ensure reviews from both vendor and buyer are requested when applicable.
Regularly verify the accuracy of data in your property records to enable seamless review collection. Meeting these standards upholds your qualification and reinforces your visibility on RateMyAgent.
How can I manage review requests and import reviews from other platforms on RateMyAgent?
Answer: Our system is set to send reminders if clients haven't completed the review request. You have the option to stop the reminders. If your clients have already left a review for you on a different platform, you can import that review to your RateMyAgent profile within the "import" tab.If a property is not listed in the system (e.g., new builds or non-publicly listed addresses), manually add the property using the steps: navigate to Dashboard → Properties → Add Listing, add the property details, and then proceed to import the review for the address.
Remember, testimonials flagged for compliance issues can often be re-imported using the proper email address or IP adjustments. Verification steps should include sending the verification link to the client’s personal email, ensuring use of a different device or location, and avoiding shared agency networks or equipment.
Initiating Review Requests
When requesting a review from a client, agents should follow these steps:
Send a Preliminary Email: Communicate with the client via email before sending a formal review request to outline its purpose and importance.
Request Client Verification: Once mentioned in the email, follow up by sending a verification email and ensuring the request is completed promptly.
Automating Review Requests
RateMyAgent allows automatic sending of review requests when integrated with compatible CRM or TMS systems. Automatic requests are triggered by property listings shared via these systems. To ensure clients don't receive redundant notifications, resolve any duplicate property listings created by different CRM or TMS systems.
Monitoring Review Submissions
Track whether review submissions have been sent via the RateMyAgent dashboard:
Log into your RateMyAgent profile.
Access the dashboard to view properties with pending review requests.
Navigate to the 'Properties' tab and filter the view: - Select only sold properties.- Identify those without the 'Buyer/Vendor review requested' status.
Templates and Compliance with Best Practices
When drafting review request emails, follow these best practices:
Keep the content concise and professional.
Clearly articulate the purpose of the email and the significance of client feedback. RateMyAgent-provided templates typically adhere to these principles and do not require major adjustments.
FAQs
What if I represent sellers and want reviews? - You can request reviews for properties where you represented the sellers.
Can a vendor leave a review without a direct request? - Yes, vendors can search for the property on your public profile and leave an organic review if they choose.