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Why client reviews matter when attracting new business
accountants and bookkeepers

Why client reviews matter when attracting new business

The internet is the first place smaller businesses turn to when they don’t receive as many referrals as they need. But attracting new clients online can be challenging. Those potential clients will do due diligence and research your firm, seeking reassurance you’re the right choice to manage their affairs. That’s why client reviews are essential.


In our latest eBook, The Power of Client Reviews in Attracting New Business, we examine the power of client reviews in growing your business, how to source them and where to use them. We look at Google’s Business Profile, online directories like the QuickBooks’ Find-a-ProAdvisor portal, and LinkedIn, providing tips on getting the most out of each.

Understanding where your clients are doing their homework

There is a vast range of sites that potential clients visit to find a new accountant or bookkeeper. Choose the sites that get the most traffic and that attract your ideal clients.

Asking your clients where they found you can help, too. If you notice a lot of great clients come from a particular channel, focus on it. Equally, review using a channel if it’s not driving leads, or driving ones that are difficult to convert to paying clients.

Focus on Google, directories like QuickBooks’ Find-A-ProAdvisor or Find a CPA/CA/Bookkeeper, and LinkedIn. 

Google Business Profile

Google Business Profile is a free business listing. It allows you to provide details about your firm, including your location, services, reviews and more.

A free Google Business Profile lets you connect with customers across Google Search and Google Maps. You can post updates, offers and photos to your profile to show what makes your business unique and source reviews to give potential clients reasons to choose you.

It’s important to give your profile the best chance of success and take the time to get it right. 

Here are our top tips:

  • Complete all fields and elements of your profile
  • Verify your location
  • Add real images and videos of your business
  • Include keywords in your profile
  • Encourage and answer reviews and questions
Take the stress out of managing your firm

QuickBooks Find-A-ProAdvisor

The QuickBooks Find-a-ProAdvisor directory is used by tens of thousands of small businesses looking for a new accountant or bookkeeper. QuickBooks Certified ProAdvisors get a free listing to promote their practice in the directory.

Jimmy Nguyen

To create your profile, sign up to QuickBooks Online Accountant. It unlocks benefits including QuickBooks Tax powered by LodgeiT, wholesale pricing benefits, free training, partner discounts and more.

Then, complete Core Certification. Completing Certification opens up access to the Find-a-ProAdvisor directory, where you can create your profile, outline your services, qualifications and experience, add client reviews and get your firm in front of thousands of potential new clients.

Follow these tips, based on analysis of the profiles in the QuickBooks Find-a-ProAdvisor directory about which ones attract the most enquiries:

1. Include a good photo

Pro-tip: Choose a warm photo in which you look approachable.

2. Ask your clients to add their reviews

Pro tip: You can and should reply to reviews in Find-A-ProAdvisor to demonstrate your excellent customer service.

3. Write a thoughtful about me section with a strong introduction

Pro tip: Differentiate your firm. Look at what your competitors have said about their services. Then, make sure your profile helps you stand out and apart from other similar businesses.

4. Showcase your specialties

Pro tip: Source reviews from the type of clients you want more of. If you specialise in an industry, or want to, source more reviews from clients in that industry.

5. Spend time creating a strong profile, complete all fields and review regularly

Pro tip: You can highlight if you offer a free initial consultation by ticking the box. It’s one more reason prospective clients will contact you.

Building a great LinkedIn profile

LinkedIn is one of the top sites used by potential clients to research service providers, so it’s important to have your profile on this platform in top shape.

Here are our tips for building a great LinkedIn profile to attract new clients:

  • Include a good quality profile picture
  • Add your qualifications, certifications and associations
  • Include your most popular blog posts to demonstrate your expertise and areas of specialty
  • List your skills so your profile will show up in search results on those terms
  • Include reviews and ratings given by your clients
  • Finally – don’t forget your call to action and contact details

For more tips on why reviews are so powerful, and how to source them, download our latest eBook. In it, we go into more depth on sourcing client reviews, and provide examples of how to build out a profile on key sites like Google’s Business Profile, online directories like the QuickBooks’ Find-A-ProAdvisor portal, and LinkedIn, to help you attract new leads and grow your business.


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