Two real estate agencies were named among the winners of Australia’s Most Loved Local Businesses.
The campaign, lead by communications and payment platform Podium and the Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia (COSBOA), seeks to shine the spotlight on a handful of businesses from Australia’s vibrant, innovative and dynamic local business community, following a challenging 18 months.
The winners were identified from an initial list of more than 3000 businesses and at the culmination of a nationwide search.
Contenders were analysed based on the quality and quantity of their Google reviews, and selected by Podium, COSBOA and most importantly, their customers.
The two real estate business, named alongside six other small business across Australia were:
- City Realty (SA): A passionate real estate business in Adelaide with the vision of empowering its staff and making the process of purchasing or renting a property easier than ever.
- Xceed Real Estate (WA): A real estate business with an emphasis on building long-standing, warm relationships, a commitment to its staff, and a passion for philanthropic work in the community.
“We’re so excited to launch Australia’s Most Loved Local Businesses, a celebration of some of the businesses that make up our vibrant community,” Podium’s Country Manager, Australia, Dave Scheine, said.
“These eight businesses have earned the love and trust of their customers, as seen and measured in their online reviews. These reviews offer more than just support from their customers.
“Reviews also play a huge role in local business success, with more Australians than ever before being influenced by online reviews.
“Over the last 18 months, local businesses have faced unprecedented challenges. In spite of that, they’ve innovated, adapted and continued to provide essential products and services to the customers who love them.”
In addition to being named as one of the eight, Xceed Real Estate was also awarded COSBOA commended status, for the warmth of its service and philanthropy.
“Local businesses are the heart of communities across Australia,” COSBOA Chief Executive Officer, Alexi Boyd, said.
“They know their customers personally, sponsor local teams, contribute to community and cultural activities and are often where local kids get their first job.
“In a time when so many small business owners are dealing with stubborn, unsympathetic landlords, Xceed Real Estate is a loved business that gives back in so many ways. commented.”
In the wake of COVID-19 reviews have never been more important or influential.
According to Podium’s research, 84 per cent of Australians say reviews influence them in discovering a local business while 28 per cent have actively read a business’ reviews while standing outside before deciding whether to go in.
Australian consumers require a minimum 3.5 average star rating to even consider engaging with a business, while one in three require at least 4-star.
Quality is important, but so too is quantity and recency, the research suggests.
Two in three don’t trust a high review unless there’s a high quantity of reviews. And as Australians look to put the pandemic behind them, 69 per cent say they read online reviews to validate local businesses COVID-19 safety practices.
