What do Designations Mean to Consumers? Seriously.
I just came across this agent profile. Of course I get the concept of reviews/ratings on agents. What I don’t get is why a consumer would ever care about designations to the point an agent (or web platform) would want to highlight them?
Accredited Greenagent – Residential? Market Value Appraiser – Residential? Senior Real Estate Specialist?
Come again? I’ve been in the industry for 10 years, yet even I don’t have the faintest idea what any of those designations mean.
My advice? If a consumer won’t understand something instantly, never put it on an agent profile in the first place.
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Todd Carpenter
Posted at 13:07h, 17 JuneDesignations don’t have to mean a thing to consumers. Consumers aren’t the only ones who research agents. Other agents do it for a number of reasons. I do agree that those letters aren’t likely to resonate with a consumer. However, I think REALTOR.com has done a great job of displaying/explaining them on their profile pages. http://www.realtor.com/realestateagents/Ron-Phipps_Warwick_RI_52048_567944552
Drew Meyers
Posted at 13:15h, 17 JuneAgreed on the realtor.com integration. But still, none of those designation icons/explanations will be “trusted” by consumers..is my gut.
Anna Rickenbach
Posted at 05:55h, 26 JulyA designation on a profile is not just for consumers – I believe the education and enhanced skills that result from meaningful designations will be noticed by consumers. I think the designation probably means more between professionals. For example, when referring business, I prefer to refer to another agent with the CRS designation and have received referrals because of my specific designations as well. I also highlight the fact that I have a master’s degree in busoness, it sets me apart from other agents. We work hard to earn these designations and degeees, I see no problem highlighting them while keeping in mind actions speak louder than words.