apartment ratings and reviews
Ratings and reviews
Mr. Bill Szczytko wrote an important piece over on his blog BSitko. The gist of the post speaks to a ruling handed down in a Virginia court this past week. In essence it calls into question identity of a reviewers’ as a relates to leaving malicious or false remarks about one’s products or services. The court ruled that Yelp must turn over the identities of people who left negative reviews on the basis that they were not true customers of the business who brought the suit.
I don’t care anymore
It got me thinking about the last time that I actually used a review to consider a purchase. It was on Amazon. I took the time to read a couple of reviews written about a book that I intended to buy. I remember getting to the end of the narratives and deciding that I really didn’t care about reviews anymore.
Half of them sounded like sales speak. That is to suggest that somebody who had an interest in selling more books was reviewing the literature in a very positive light. Another group railed against the literature and/or supported it in a way that was just borderline mindless. And still others sounded like – I-need-to-keep-my-review- quota-up-so-I-will-say-a-few-nice-things.
Prediction
At some point in the next three to five years people will revolt against ratings and reviews; writing them off as just another platform overcome by savvy marketers. Gone will be the need or want to know who said what because nobody will care. And gone will be the day that ratings and reviews carried any merit at all.
Your writing ratings and reviews off three to five years ahead of its time MultiFamily Maniac,
M
The Renter’s Voice
Update: TRV responded to my questions via email and agreed to let me post them here.
Checking out The Renter’s Voice this morning.
Bullet point thoughts thus far:
1. Listings powered by an ILS – does that mean you have to do business with the ILS, Ellis or Renter’s Voice? If so, bunk.
TRV: No you don’t, many of the listings will begin with the robust content from a large content source – AF.com – so helps jump start a positive review platform.
2. I see zero activity thus far so hard to form an opinion about it. Even the listings in the side bar on the left seem plugged. When you click on them and go to the actual review page, it is void of the aforementioned review.
TRV: It will take time to build the reviews as with any web presence.
3. Not sure how managers can/will respond or participate (see point number 1)
TRV: Joanna Ellis is working with the PMC companies on building this review site for our industry. It is an open forum for renters to share experiences about apartment living. Over time, there will be other opportunities to use reviews for marketing in the apartment space!
Build Your Own Mouse Trap
I am still a firm believer that apartment management companies can build and equal if not better mouse trap right on there own website.
Ratings and reviews are a driver of business – no doubt. But, not if you have to pay to participate.
Your always wondering about the definition of advertising partner multifamily maniac,
M
Some Feedback from Twitter –
@mbrewer curious- what’s going to be the difference between them and the other rating/comment websites? Did I miss that?
— Nicole (@NYork75) June 21, 2012
