Are you trying to put your nursing home on the map? Whether you’re a new retirement facility or you’re trying to rebrand and reach new people, it’s important that you have the right reputation and marketing.
But how can you do that? Do nursing homes even need any types of marketing or referrals when your nursing home provides a necessary service?
You might be surprised. Something as simple as nursing home reviews can be “make or break” in terms of the success and longevity of your facility.
If this is all new and confusing information to you, we understand and we want to help. Keep reading to learn all about the importance of nursing home reviews and how you can improve your reach by getting them.
Why Are Nursing Home Reviews Helpful?
Running a necessary service, like a nursing home, often leads owners and management to believe that there’s no need to pay attention to reviews. After all, people need you and a lot of recommendations come from word of mouth transferral.
But with the world going more and more digital, it’s important that you understand that online reviews are the new “word of mouth.”
Here are a few benefits of having great reviews for nursing homes.
Good Reviews Build Your Reputation and Trust
When people are looking for reliable nursing homes for themselves or their loved ones, they want to know that they’re going somewhere trustworthy. Many people are afraid of nursing homes, so good reviews show them that people are satisfied or impressed by what you do.
For any type of business, your reputation is everything. A single low-star review isn’t enough to tank your business, but a plethora of good reviews is enough to build trust so more people are inclined to use your nursing home.
While star ratings are helpful, written reviews are often more so. People like to see specific things that they liked or disliked about your facility to make sure that you’ll suit their specific needs.
They Make You Easier to Find Online
Did you know that reviews are actually a marketing tool?
When you’re trying to move your business up the search engine results on Google, you need to have good SEO. You also have to have great reviews on your Google My Business page.
As a nursing home facility, you’re in competition with every other retirement community and nursing home in your area. In cities or counties with large populations, this can mean that you’re competing with dozens of facilities.
When you’re higher up in the search engine, you know that more people will see you and they may be more inclined to use your facility.
How Do I Get Good Nursing Home Reviews?
Now that you know the importance and benefits of a good nursing home review, how are you supposed to build them up?
First, make sure that you have a Google My Business page. While there are plenty of review sites and your reviews will also show up in nursing home directories, Google My Business is often the first thing that people see.
Many people are only inclined to leave reviews on their own if they are very good or very bad. This makes it hard to get consistently positive reviews talking about pleasant and satisfactory experiences (which is the general aim of all nursing home facilities).
First, make sure that you’re offering exemplary service. You should have staff that is all trained and experienced and make sure that your grounds and the indoor of your facility are all clean, modern, and accessible. Make sure your amenities are competitive with other nursing homes nearby.
Once you’ve made sure that you’re offering the best possible care to your residents, consider placing information about leaving reviews on paperwork or at your front desk.
Many people may feel “put on the spot” if you ask for a review out loud, though this isn’t always the case. You don’t want to pressure anyone, but let them know that there’s a place for reviews if they want to use it.
Don’t try to bribe your residents or their family members for positive reviews. If you choose to offer an incentive, make sure that it’s for every kind of review.
What About Negative Reviews?
From time to time, almost every business receives a negative review (or several). Don’t panic. If you have many reviews, these shouldn’t make too much of a dent in your overall rating.
That doesn’t mean that you should ignore these reviews, though.
First, read the review connected to the low star rating and determine whether or not it’s legitimate. From time to time, there may be fake reviews left by competitors or reviews with fake or exaggerated information from someone who was in the wrong.
After determining that the review is legitimate, look into the problems that they reported. Where can you improve your services? Is it possible that they just aren’t a good match, or are you lacking somewhere?
Remember, negative reviews are still helpful as long as they offer constructive information.
It’s a good idea to have someone respond to reviews in a compassionate and professional way to let them know that you apologize for their experience and would like to know how you could help. Mention that they should contact you privately to ensure that you’re able to have a real conversation.
Never argue or get defensive. This looks worse than a bad review. You can, however, offer a rebuttal if it’s neutral.
Does Your Nursing Home Have Good Reviews?
If you run a wonderful nursing home facility, it’s likely that you have satisfied residents and family members. If this is the case, you may already have great reviews.
If not, take steps to increase your good nursing home reviews. You’ll draw in new residents, increase your overall visibility, and build trust within your community.
If you’re looking to increase the reach of your nursing home facility, we want to help put you on the map. At NursingMore, we connect people with their ideal facilities so they can find appropriate care. Register to choose a plan and increase your business today.