How to Write a Proper Website or Blog Review: What Elements to Include in a Paid or U

weblord · 07-10-2008, 01:29 AM

Quote:

These days there are quite a few people out there writing reviews of other websites and blogs. Many people write these reviews primarily because they find a site that interests them. Others do so because they want to make some money and get paid; they use services like ReviewMe or PayPerPost to find sites looking for reviews. What I’ve noticed, however, is that many people are cheating their reviewees out of a proper website or blog review.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/webmaster-tutorials/491111-how-write-proper-website-blog-review.html

It seems that the only requirement that many of these review services have is that you meet a minimum number of words in your review. I can’t tell you how many bad reviews I’ve seen. Understand that a bad review in this context does not mean a review saying that a site isn’t very good, but one that doesn’t properly cover all the bases. For example, look at this bad review that I received recently through the ReviewMe Marketplace. The author says one good thing about my site BiggerPockets®, but the review is completely lacking. It is completely useless, and I’m actually shocked that it was approved by ReviewMe. Notice that they really don’t say anything at all about the site?

5/14/07 Update: ReviewMe refunded me for the cost of this review after I sent an email to them about the issue.

I’ve seen spectacular reviews of sites that are very harsh, but the reviews are good ones, as they help both the reader and the reviewee out. Lets look at some of the more important elements to cover when doing a review:
Elements to Cover When Writing a Paid or Unpaid Website / Blog Review

* Design - The first thing that you see when looking at a website is its design. Is the design pleasing to the eye? Is the site cluttered or difficult to navigate? Are there any glaring design flaws or glitches, or is the site a work of art?
* Focus - What is the focus of the site? If you can’t figure it out, then the author is doing something wrong. Focus should be apparent without hunting around too much. Typically by using design elements, or simple headlines or sub-headlines a site must convey its focus.
* Content - The most obvious element to cover in your review is the site’s content. Does the content of the site match its focus? If not, there is a problem! Is the content easily readable? Does it make sense? What are some of the highlights? Is there a page, article or section of the site that really stands out as being fantastic?
* Writing Style - Writing style is one element that many people often ignore. Does the author share his/her voice? Do you find yourself relating to what you read? Is the style professional or does the author blab on about their dying goldfish in every post?
* Grammar and Punctuation - Does the site use proper grammatical elements? Are there spelling mistakes and punctuation errors all over the place?
* Message Effectiveness - Overall, do you find that the site is effective in putting out its message?
* Website Audience - Who is the intended audience for this site or blog? Are the intended and actual audiences different?
* Info about the author - Is there anything interesting to note about the author? e.g. I was watching the news last night and they were talking about a blog written by a boy with cancer. Is the author an expert or do they have no idea what they are talking about? Do they have any qualifications to write what they are writing?
* Anything else you think is important - Of course, there are other elements that you can discuss as well. Anything about the site that stands out, good or bad, should always be covered in a review.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=491111

Fear of Writing a Negative Review

Many people are afraid to write honest reviews of websites. They feel that they may hurt someone’s feelings or they may even feel guilty for writing a negative review that they are getting paid for. By not remaining completely honest when writing a review, you are cheating the reviewee! Whether or not the review is a paid one, you must always stick to your honest opinion.

Don’t go and hype a site just because everyone else is. Don’t say a site is good if it is not. Don’t ignore the problems out of fear. By doing any of these things, you deprive the author/publisher of the opportunity to learn how to improve . . . wouldn’t you want the honest truth?

Note:This post was inspired by a discussion I was reading (I’m the user bigp), and by a review I recieved from someone yesterday (mentioned earlier - worst review ever).

http://www.timeforblogging.com/2007/...-blog-website/

shockie · 07-10-2008, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Grammer and Punctuation

spelling wouldn't hurt either.

weblord · 07-10-2008, 02:44 AM

thanks for the headsup, it's not my site.
updated first post.

Originally Posted by shockie

spelling wouldn't hurt either.

Shane · 07-11-2008, 12:02 AM

Yes I saw this same one quite a while ago, use for most of my reviews.

weblord · 07-11-2008, 02:28 AM

i use this format as well to review websites on review me and it has increased the interest on my reviews.

Li Weng · 11-14-2008, 08:05 PM

I don't bother with reading reviews any more. There are hardly any objective ones out there. Most of them are affiliate promotions, and they don't even cut down the hype to make it less obvious. Whenever you type review in google, the chances are it will come up with something like "xxx scam?" do people still fall for that?

***iowadawg*** · 12-10-2008, 05:54 PM

I write my own reviews from my perspective of a site.
Do I follow those rules as laid out by this person?
Sometimes yes, most times no.

Face it, a true review is written to be unique and so many blogmasters write a templated review.
Very few actually write unique reviews, period!

I know that the reviews I write get good to great marks from those I have written them for.

07-11-2008, 12:02 AM	#4 (permalink)
Shane NamePros Regular Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: West Sussex - England Posts: 869	Yes I saw this same one quite a while ago, use for most of my reviews. __________________ Get your handbook to success today! We show you how a recession benefits you! Like interviews? We have them by the van full! Be kind to Mellow Masher!!

07-11-2008, 02:28 AM	THREAD STARTER #5 (permalink)
weblord NamePros Legend Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Philippines - www.Nabaza.com Posts: 19,785	i use this format as well to review websites on review me and it has increased the interest on my reviews. __________________ Nabaza.com - Amaia

11-14-2008, 08:05 PM	#6 (permalink)
Li Weng NamePros Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 82	I don't bother with reading reviews any more. There are hardly any objective ones out there. Most of them are affiliate promotions, and they don't even cut down the hype to make it less obvious. Whenever you type review in google, the chances are it will come up with something like "xxx scam?" do people still fall for that? __________________ - Insert backlink here -

12-10-2008, 05:54 PM	#7 (permalink)
*iowadawg* Business Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Not in Texas Posts: 2,237 Follow @iowadawg	I write my own reviews from my perspective of a site. Do I follow those rules as laid out by this person? Sometimes yes, most times no. Face it, a true review is written to be unique and so many blogmasters write a templated review. Very few actually write unique reviews, period! I know that the reviews I write get good to great marks from those I have written them for. __________________ Random Ramblings from IowaDawg \| Off the Wall Blog The General Blogger \| Coupons, Deals and More \| Cheap Pig Blog

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