Let’s talk about something that’s becoming increasingly important in today’s school landscape: Third-party reviews. 

Parents frequently consult platforms such as Google Reviews, Facebook groups, and specialized school review sites to get an authentic picture of what your school truly offers. 

They’re looking for honest insights into your school’s strengths and potential areas for improvement. 

Positive reviews can highlight your school’s unique features and exceptional programs, while constructive feedback provides opportunities for growth.

While many schools hire School Marketing Agencies to handle their social media, PR, and other promotional efforts that are included in their Marketing Services, it’s crucial to recognize that parents place significant trust in independent reviews. 

They value what others say about the school and rely on these opinions when making their decisions. 

So, let’s explore where parents look for reviews, how these reviews impact their choices, and how these platforms operate.

Let’s get started!

1. Why Third-Party Reviews Matter for Schools

Third-party reviews come from independent experts who evaluate schools. These experts visit schools, gather information, and provide an honest review. 

They assess various aspects like teaching quality, facilities, and overall environment to offer a true picture of the school.

Understanding how third-party reviews are conducted sets the stage for appreciating the detailed role of platforms in this process. 

Let’s explore how these platforms carry out their evaluations.

The Role of Educational Platforms in School Reviews

Educational Platforms are specialized companies that review schools using detailed checklists. They examine factors like teaching quality, facilities, and student satisfaction. 

Educational Platforms such as EduReview Candidschools/platform SchoolMyKids are known for their thorough and reliable evaluations.With such Educational Platforms playing a crucial role, their methods of reviewing schools are fundamental to providing an accurate assessment. 

Next, we’ll look into the specific steps these platforms follow in their review process.

2. How Educational Platforms Review Schools

Educational platforms review schools in a very strategic way to capture a comprehensive view of the school from both its and parents’ perspectives. Let’s see how they do it

1. Gathering Data

• They start their review process by collecting essential data about the school. 
• This includes details like the type of school, its affiliation (e.g., CBSE or ICSE), the number of students, and the fee structure. 

This initial data helps create a foundational understanding of what the school offers.

After this, the team visit the school to see things firsthand.

2. Visiting the School

• During their visit, they inspect classrooms, libraries, playgrounds, and other facilities. 
• They also interact with teachers and students to get a feel for the school’s environment.

The on-site visit provides a comprehensive view of the school’s day-to-day operations. Following the visit, they compile their observations into a detailed report.

3. Creating the Review Report or Blog

• After gathering all the necessary information, they create a review report. 
• This report includes written evaluations, photos, and videos showcasing the school’s strengths and areas needing improvement. 
• The report helps paint a clear picture of the school for parents.

Moving forward, let’s discuss how influencers and online reviews contribute to the overall perception of schools.

3. Influencers and Online Reviews

Influencers, who have significant followings on social media, visit schools and share their experiences. 

For example, an influencer might review a school like Delhi Public School and share their findings on platforms such as YouTube or Instagram. 

• Influencers offer a different perspective on schools that can complement traditional reviews. 
• Additionally, online feedback from these influencers can provide further insights into the school’s performance.
• Influencers who review schools often have millions of followers. 
• If these influencers are experts in the field of education or have a reputation for honest reviews, parents tend to trust their opinions more. 

When planning to hire an influencer, it’s important to understand that their costs can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a breakdown of what influences the pricing and what you might expect:

1. Mega-Influencers

• Follower Count: Over 1 million
• Cost Range: ₹5,00,000 to ₹25,00,000+ per post
• Factors Influencing Cost:
  • Celebrity status and reach
  • Engagement rates
  • Platform used (e.g., Instagram, YouTube)
  • Type of content (e.g., posts, videos, stories)

2. Macro-Influencers

• Follower Count: Between 100,000 and 1 million
• Cost Range: ₹1,00,000 to ₹5,00,000 per post
• Factors Influencing Cost:
  • Niche relevance and influence
  • Quality and professionalism of content
  • Engagement rates
  • Platform and type of content

3. Micro-Influencers

• Follower Count: Between 10,000 and 100,000
• Cost Range: ₹10,000 to ₹1,00,000 per post
• Factors Influencing Cost:
  • Engagement rates (often higher than macro and mega influencers)
  • Niche specificity and follower loyalty
  • Type of collaboration (e.g., product reviews, sponsored posts)

4. Nano-Influencers

• Follower Count: Under 10,000
• Cost Range: ₹1,000 to ₹10,000 per post, sometimes free products or services
• Factors Influencing Cost:
  • Engagement rates (typically very high)
  • Personal connection with followers
  • Niche relevance and influence
  • Often work for free products or minimal fees

Social Media Feedback

Parents often leave reviews about schools on social media platforms like Facebook. 

• These reviews are valuable because they come from real parents with firsthand experience. 
• They can offer honest feedback and insights about various aspects of the school.
• However, a potential issue with social media feedback is that responses and interactions might not be instant.
•  It can take time for parents to see new reviews or get replies to their questions.

Next, we’ll explore how to choose the right review platform to ensure you get reliable and accurate information.

4. Choosing the Right Review Platform

When selecting a review platform, it’s important to choose one with a good reputation and reliability. Trusted platforms like Google Reviews and other third party platforms provide detailed and honest reviews and ratings.

Choosing a reputable platform ensures you get accurate information. Next, let’s discuss how to evaluate these reviews to make the most out of them.

Evaluate reviews by checking their recency and detail. Look for consistent patterns in feedback. For example, if multiple reviews highlight the school’s strong teaching programs, it’s likely a key strength of the school.

Finally, let’s go over what should be included in a school review to make it as informative as possible.

5. What do Platforms Include in a School Review

A comprehensive school review should include details such as:

• The school’s affiliation
• Number of students
• Age requirements for admission
• Student Teacher Ratio
• Language of instruction
• Fee structure
• Infrastructure 
• Sports and Extracurricular Facilities
• Other Facilities
• Saftey Measures
• Transportation

For instance, a review might state that the school offers education from Nursery to Grade 12 and is affiliated with the CBSE board.

Including these details helps parents make informed decisions about the school. Lastly, highlighting unique features of the school can make the review more compelling.

Unique Selling Points (USPs) and Areas of Improvement for Schools

Review platforms play a crucial role in helping parents make informed decisions by bringing out both

•  The unique selling points (USPs) of schools
• Areas of Improvement

These platforms provide comprehensive insights that highlight what makes a school stand out, such as special programs and extracurricular activities, while also offering honest assessments of areas where the school could improve.

By interviewing current parents and gathering detailed feedback, these reviews present a balanced view, helping parents understand both the strengths and potential drawbacks of a school, ensuring they can make well-informed choices for their children’s education.

Conclusion

third-party review platforms are a great way to boost your school’s image and draw in new families. These reviews do more than just list your school’s strengths—they also point out areas where there’s room to grow.

Key Takeaways:

1. Make sure to highlight what your school does best.
2. Be open about where your school can improve
3. Use insights from current parents to get a real sense of what’s working and what’s not.

By keeping these points in mind, you can fine-tune your school’s offerings and keep your reputation shining bright. All the best!