The best marketing strategy for interior designers is simple: let your clients speak for you!
Beautiful photographs of your interior design work and a well-designed website will catch a prospective client's attention, but client reviews will convince them to seal the deal. Feedback from real clients is reliable, personal, and offers great insight into what a client can expect from working with you.
We've created a guide to help you ensure you receive detailed and productive feedback from your interior design clients. Then, to show you how to use that client feedback to effectively improve your services and advertise your interior design business. Read on and learn how to ask for client reviews as an interior designer and how to use client testimonials in your marketing.
Importance of client reviews to interior designers
Client testimonials are quotes from past clients that describe their experience of working with your interior design business. Good reviews are a great confidence boost and serve as excellent marketing content for your interior design business. Constructive criticism from clients highlight areas for you to improve as an interior designer—learning is always a good thing
A bank of positive client testimonials is a great marketing tool for your interior design business. Here are three key benefits of client testimonials to interior designers...
Build a positive reputation
You don't grow a good reputation overnight. It is a long and continuous process of showing the world your potential.
Client feedback establishes your credibility. It assures potential clients that you're a skilled interior designer and can deliver their dream vision. The more positive reviews you have, the stronger your reputation becomes. This makes it easier to bag ideal clients and projects!
Increase your client conversion rate
Client reviews have a direct impact on your client conversion rate. Prospective clients trust the feedback of your previous clients, and so will be more likely to make the decision to work with you.
Improve your service
Last but not least, client feedback helps you to develop your services. Criticism is the only way to learn. Nothing is more attractive than designers who listen to their clients!
Client feedback helps you identify areas that you can improve on as an interior designer, from client communication to project management.
How to ask for client feedback as an interior designer
Great client reviews are a game changer for your interior design business. So, how do you get them?
The most important rule when it comes to collecting client testimonials: your attitude is more important than the method. Remember, you're asking a favour. So be polite, grateful, and accept feedback with an open mind.
Four steps to help you collect great client reviews as an interior designer...
Step 1. Choose the right time
When should you ask for client reviews? You don't have to wait until the project is finished to ask for simple feedback. You should keep an open channel of communication with your client throughout the process so that you can rectify anything they are unhappy with as you go, rather than waiting until it is too late.
However, more in-depth feedback should also be collected at the end of the project too. Allow your client a little time to settle into their new space, and then follow-up with your feedback request.
Step 2. Pick a mode of communication
If your client agrees to write a review, decide how you're going to collect their feedback. You could do so in a face-to-face meeting, via phone, or by providing them with question digitally.
Since you've already worked with this client, you should have a good idea of what mode of communication works best for them. Do they prefer emails? Are they less techy and prefer to fill out forms? Or do they think that's a hassle and want to talk in person instead? If you're not sure, don't hesitate to ask!
Step 3. Craft your questions
When drafting questions for your client feedback forms, ensure they are clear and concise. The clearer your questions, the clearer the client feedback. As a guide, a client feedback form shouldn't take more than ten to fifteen minutes to complete.
You should also personalise your questions especially, if you intend to ask for a testimonial from another professional. Some good questions to ask are:
- What did you like most about working with me? This question will highlight your strengths as an interior designer, both creatively and in how you manage your projects.
- Would you recommend me to others? Why or why not? This question assesses your client's level of satisfaction and could highlight areas in which you need to improve.
- What could I have done better? This question helps identify gaps in your services that you need to address.
Step 4. Be grateful and respectful
After receiving a client review, whether positive or negative, don't forget to say thank you. Gratitude goes a long way and it strengthens your relationship with clients and leaves a lasting good impression.
Lastly, ask your clients for their consent to use the testimonial across your marketing content. They'll most likely agree however, there may be some who'd prefer to go anonymous. Either way, you should respect their decision.
How to use client reviews in your interior design business marketing
Now that you know how to collect great client reviews as an interior designer, you need to know how to use client testimonials effectively in your marketing. It's time to put your client reviews to good use! Here are three ways to use client testimonials to promote your for interior design business.
Display client reviews on your website
The first place to showcase your glowing client reviews is on your website. One way to do so is to create a specific client testimonials page. Alternatively, you can look at ways to integrate client feedback across your site. For instance, you can include quotes from clients next to images of your projects in your portfolio.
Share client feedback on social media
A huge percentage of people seeking interior design services, search social media to find the right interior designer for them. This means your social media needs to be a great reflection of you and your brand. Client testimonials should be front and centre on your Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and any other social media sites where you promote your interior design studio.
Highlight the best reviews by pinning the posts to the top of your feed. This way, it's the first thing viewers see when they visit your page. Update it frequently to keep it fresh!
Add reviews to your printed marketing material
Enhance your promotional materials by adding quotes from clients. Extract 1-2 of the most impactful sentences from client feedback and use them on your flyers, brochures, or any other printed marketing material. Remember: don't overuse one client testimonial, showcase a wealth of client feedback to appear more reputable.
The takeaway
As an interior designer, feedback and critique is very crucial to the growth of your business. Client feedback can shape your service and also refocus your attention to areas in need of improvement.
When requesting client feedback, ask specific questions and make it as easy as possible for your client to respond. Positive client testimonials are an invaluable marketing tool for your interior design business, post them everywhere.
