We've seen major growth across many local business sectors over the last couple of years, with the home services industry being one of the major drivers of that growth. But more growth also means more competition, making it more important than ever for businesses that provide home services to find ways to compete more effectively in local search.
One of the top ways for local businesses, including home service industry businesses, to increase their online visibility is to focus on gathering reviews on various review platforms. So, we've put together this guide to some of the best home services review sites for boosting your rankings and generating more leads via local search.
Why Do Home Service Review Sites Matter?
According to Yelp's 2024 State of Services Report, the U.S. home services industry saw growth to the tune of 11% in 2024, equivalent to approximately 217,000 new home service businesses opening. That's potentially more than 4,000 new competitors per state!
Of course, this growth isn't spread out evenly, but rather it's concentrated in more populous states, with states like California and Florida seeing a whopping 26,000 and 24,000 new home services businesses opening up, respectively.
But what exactly does all this have to do with home services review sites? Well, with so much competition in the home services sector, improving local search rankings and outranking competitors is essential for attracting nearby customers. Online reviews not only set a business apart from its competitors, they're also one of the most important local search ranking factors, directly impacting rankings in local search results.
For example, businesses with a higher number of Google Business Profile reviews and a stronger average Google review score than their competitors have a better chance at outranking them in Google Search and on Google Maps. In other words, they'll appear above their competitors in search results for key terms with local search intent, resulting in more traffic, calls, messages, appointments, and, ultimately, more business.
While Google is the most important platform to collect reviews on for any local business, there are also many other review sites that people often turn to when searching for certain types of businesses, making it important to list your business and collect reviews on a number of different platforms relevant to your industry and service area to maximize online visibility.
For instance, people seeking home service businesses, such as HVAC contractors, plumbers, pet groomers, or lawn care providers, may look on a reputable platform like Yelp, known as being one of the best sites for home service reviews, or potentially a more industry-specific platform to find a trustworthy home service provider.
Just as collecting positive Google reviews can help you improve rankings for Google Search and Maps, gathering good reviews on other home services review sites can help you rank higher on those sites.
Additionally, listings and reviews for home services businesses can appear in organic search results on Google, Bing, and other search engines, below any local pack results, so optimizing your listings and reviews on all relevant platforms can further increase your overall visibility.
What Are the Best Home Services Review Sites for Increasing Visibility?
- Google Business Profile
- Yelp
- Apple Maps
- Angi
- Houzz
- HomeAdvisor
- Nextdoor
- Thumbtack
- Porch
1. Google Business Profile
Google Business Profile is the best site for home service reviews, as it directly impacts local search rankings on Google Search and Google Maps; the most highly trafficked local search and navigation tools.
By optimizing Google Business Profile for your home service business and collecting positive reviews on the platform, you can greatly improve your local search visibility, ultimately driving more engagement and leads.
2. Yelp
Yelp is one of the most widely recognized review platforms for local businesses, including home service providers. Its user base tends to trust reviews for making decisions about hiring contractors, plumbers, landscapers, and more.
Yelp reviews are prominently featured in organic search engine results as well, making it important for home services businesses to have a strong presence and positive feedback on the platform to increase their visibility.
3. Apple Maps
Apple Maps recently launched its web version, expanding its usability as a local search platform. Home service businesses can benefit from optimizing their presence on Apple Maps because it's the default navigation app for iPhone users, and is now even more broadly accessible to anyone looking for an alternative to Google Maps.
While in-depth written reviews are not currently available on Apple Maps, users can rate businesses on the platform, which can potentially increase visibility within the Apple ecosystem.
4. Angi
Angi (formerly Angie's List) is a home services-focused review platform that specializes in connecting users with vetted home improvement professionals.
Businesses listed on Angi can be found by users searching for services like cleaning, painting, plumbing, or renovation work. Positive reviews here can increase visibility and trust, as Angi is known for offering reliable, industry-specific information and recommendations.
5. Facebook
Facebook remains a key platform for home service businesses to gather reviews and recommendations. With its social sharing capabilities, reviews left on Facebook can spread among users' friends and family, increasing the visibility of a business through word-of-mouth referrals.
6. Houzz
Houzz is a leading home service review site for home improvement and interior design professionals. Houzz is unique because it not only provides reviews, but also allows businesses to display portfolios of their previous projects, making it a great place for customers to find inspiration and hire professionals.
7. HomeAdvisor
HomeAdvisor is another home services review site that connects consumers with local contractors and home service professionals. It has a robust review system that allows users to provide feedback on services ranging from home repairs to major renovation projects. Being listed and gathering reviews on HomeAdvisor helps businesses stand out to homeowners who are actively searching for trusted service providers.
8. Nextdoor
Nextdoor is a neighborhood-based social network where local residents recommend and review businesses to their neighbors. This platform allows home service businesses to tap into highly localized word-of-mouth recommendations. Since reviews are often shared among neighbors, they carry a lot of trust, making Nextdoor a valuable platform for increasing local credibility and driving nearby customers to your business.
9. Thumbtack
Thumbtack is designed specifically for local professionals in the home services industry. Users can search for specific services, view profiles, read reviews, and hire professionals directly through the platform. The review system on Thumbtack is highly detailed, enabling businesses to build strong reputations based on verified reviews, which can boost credibility and attract more clients looking for professionals in specific service categories.
10. Porch
Porch is another home services platform where homeowners can find and review local professionals. The site is focused on providing users with an easy way to connect with home service providers for both small repairs and major renovation projects. Positive reviews on Porch can help home service businesses stand out to potential customers who are actively searching for professionals to work on their homes.
Conclusion
Collecting reviews on all relevant home service review sites is a crucial local SEO strategy for businesses looking to stand out in an increasingly competitive local market.
By optimizing your presence on platforms like Google Business Profile, Yelp, Angi, and others, you can boost your local search rankings, build trust with potential customers, and generate more local leads.
Each review site offers unique advantages, so diversifying your reviews across several platforms will maximize your visibility and help you compete more effectively in the home services industry!
