Writing a review of a product you have recently purchased and used is an excellent way to share useful information with other buyers, to promote a product you are particularly fond of, or even just to increase the number of items to your credit. You can review anything from an electric toothbrush to a new hybrid car. The web, however, is inundated with texts that merely incense or crush something and which, therefore, are of no use to the average consumer. A good review is based on research and knowledge of the product and offers a balanced evaluation of its strengths and weaknesses. Read the tips below to learn how to write a really helpful review.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Knowing the Product
Step 1. Research the product
To show readers that your review is trustworthy, try to do as thorough a research as possible on the item or service you are about to review. An in-depth knowledge of the product, of the evolution it has undergone and of the competition it faces will allow you to make a contribution that is as authoritative as the judgment of an expert.
- Study the manufacturer's website and acquire product information directly at the source. Avoid citing the advertising material published by manufacturers and retailers: readers will stop reading the moment they realize that it is marketing and not evaluations drawn from direct experience.
- Analyze the competition and examine the strengths and weaknesses of the products considered alternative to the one reviewed. This will allow you to compare it with the main competitors on the market.
Step 2. Get the product
Buying or renting it is the best way to prepare to review it. If you insist a little, moreover, you could get a free sample directly from the manufacturer or resellers.
- If you run a blog and intend to post your review there, contact the company by email, post or phone call. Make sure the topic is consistent with your kind of blog and keep in mind the traffic of visits you receive. Send a concise and direct message.
- Large companies often have an internal office dedicated to marketing and sales. In this case, contact the manager and propose your review directly to him.
Step 3. Use the product
The use and in-depth knowledge of the product are perhaps the most important aspects of a review. When trying to get an idea of the product, readers expect specific expertise and direct experience from the writer.
- The web is teeming with bogus reviews, full of outrageous praise and excessive criticism: most readers stop reading them if they realize they are written with an ulterior motive. An honest and objective evaluation of the product is the best way to attract the reader's attention.
- Submitting a video or photo of yourself struggling with the product will prove you've actually used it and your review will gain credibility.
Step 4. Be aware of what readers are looking for
There are many reasons why a potential buyer looks for a product review: this is what you need to keep in mind as you use the product and do your research on it. Here are the most common questions readers ask themselves:
- Is it easy to use?
- Is it of good quality?
- Is this something for me?
- Has anyone who already tried it had a positive experience?
- What are the pros and cons of the product?
- Are there alternatives available? If so, am I up to it?
- Is the product worth the money?
Part 2 of 2: Writing the Product Review
Step 1. Write the introduction
A good introduction captures the reader's attention and provides a comprehensive picture of the product under consideration and its alleged merits.
- For the benefit of newbies, devote a few paragraphs to describe the functionality of the product in enough detail, as if you had to explain its features from scratch. Informing new customers about the product is an important aspect of the review.
- For the benefit of more experienced consumers, instead, focus on the evolution of the product compared to previous models and on known defects or problems that users may have experienced in the past. Experienced users often frequent online forums where possible solutions to the most common problems are discussed: this gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your competence on the product.
Step 2. Describe the product
Provide the reader with the basic information they need before purchasing, i.e. the make, model, size, target demographic, price, and so on.
Step 3. Make balanced judgments
Don't just describe what you like, but also what you DON'T like about the product. The most helpful reviews are the ones that expose the pros and cons. Readers run away from those who, on the other hand, overflow with lavish praise or too severe criticism.
- Describe in detail the experience that led you to make these judgments, clearly explaining the reasons why you consider certain characteristics a value and others a defect.
- People generally prefer an unbiased, clearly exposed and balanced review to an overemphasis on the good or bad (except when justified, of course).
Step 4. Compare products
Learn more about their characteristics in light of the comparison with similar products available on the market, listing their respective pros and cons. This will highlight your expertise and show that you have conducted serious research, as well as provide the reader with a trusted point of reference for their next purchase.
This is particularly important for new buyers, who are trying to orient themselves in order to make an informed choice
Step 5. Define your ideal reader
Identify the specific catchment area that, in your opinion, would benefit most from using the product. Describe the product in detail to help users decide if it's really right for them.
The main points of interest may be the greater or lesser ease of use, certain characteristics that are particularly attractive for a certain category of users and the comparison with any other products used in the past
Step 6. Write the conclusion
A good conclusion summarizes the strengths and weaknesses of the product, determines whether it lives up to commercial marketing, and gives your opinion on its adequacy from an economic and cost-benefit point of view.
Step 7. Publish your review
Choose the most suitable forum and post your review online. There is an endless number of portals where to publish it: the most popular are the sites dedicated to product reviews and those of specialized retailers.
Allow some time between product release and review posting. This will give you time to properly test it and make a thorough evaluation. Readers trust it more if the reviewer can prove that he has spent a long enough time analyzing the product
Advice
- Express yourself in your own words. There is no need to be overly formal. A discursive approach that follows a logical thread will do very well.
- If you review an app and intend to report a programming error, don't post a bad review, but rather write a note to the developers to fix the problem. This way you don't run the risk of unnecessarily discrediting an application that otherwise works correctly.
