My opinion on how to write a good internet site review (Writing a Good dooyoo Review)

Member Name: katew

Product:	Writing a Good dooyoo Review
Date:	03/06/09 (255 review reads)
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I spend a lot of time on the internet, so I thought I'd give my opinion on how to write a good website review.

**Tell us where it is**
If the site has been reviewed before, the URL is probably in Dooyoo's title for it, but if not, give the address. There's nothing worse than reading a review, deciding to have a look at the site in question, and having to Google for it.

**What's the purpose of the site?**
Is it a shop, information site, blog, or some other type? Who will it be useful to? I've read a few reviews where I end up thinking 'ah, it's a music site, but can I listen, download, or do I buy CDs?'. In fact, I've read one or two where I found out that you have to register, but that it's free, and that the site has great layout and navigation, but I'm still no wiser about what the site's actually about!

**First impressions**
Give a description of the site. Does it look uncluttered and intuitive? Speed of loading is helpful - I've often followed links to a site and given up because they load so slooooooowly! Is the navigation easy to follow? It's also worth mentioning if the site relies on Flash, as work computers are often set to block this. Also, if you have dial-up (somebody must still have it!) or slow broadband, flash can take an age to load. If it has a Flash intro, is there a skip button? Is the content well written, so that you know at once what they offer and how to use it?

**Navigation**
I like to know if it is easy to find what you want on the website. Particular bugbears are 'mystery buttons', where you have a symbol rather than a title, and have to hover over the link to see what it does. Can you get to any page, particularly the home page, from any other page?

**Range of goods/services and prices**
It's good to know if the site has an extensive range of products or services in its field. Also, describe the level of products. For instance, if you are reviewing a camera site, say if the range covers mainly compact and beginner level cameras, professional gear, or a spread across the whole level of users. Are the products described in detail on the site? I've visited sites where there is actually very little specification about each product, leaving me wondering if the item in question is suitable for me or not. Are the prices in line with other retailers?

**Authority and Guidance**
If the site is offering information, I need to know how authoritative the information is. Does the site have a section where the presenter/s offer their credentials? I reviewed an aromatherapy site which was very professional, with a good range of products at good prices, but it was quite obviously aimed at professional users, and had no information for beginners. A section outlining the company's qualifications and giving some guidance about safe use of their products would have been helpful.

**Ordering**
If the site is selling products or services, how easy is the order process? They can range from simple to very complicated, and many's the time I've given up because I got fed up of jumping through various hoops trying to order. Do the company keep you informed of the progress of your order? How long did the item take to arrive, and did you think this time was reasonable? Did it arrive in good condition and well packaged? Another point I find useful is whether goods have to be signed for, as this can make a difference to people who are out at work all day.

**Queries**
If you had occasion to contact the site's owners, mention whether they were helpful, and whether they were able to resolve your problem. Also say whether it was easy to find out how to contact them - was there a form on the site, or a clear page with email addresses and telephone numbers?

**The good and the bad**
For a balanced review, mention both good and bad points - assuming the site had both. But don't rant! As soon as I read a rant, I immediately think that this was just one user's experience, and that the review didn't give me a balanced view. Come on, nearly every site has at least one good point! When giving the bad points, were these bad enough to put you off using the site, or were they things that could be improved, but that you could live with?

**Your experience**
The most important part of the review, in my opinion. Overall, did you feel that the site offered a good experience? If it was a shopping site, did you find it easy to locate and buy your item(s)? If you were looking for information, did you find it? And once found, did you trust it and consider it useful? In short, would you use the site again and recommend it to others?

Summary: Just my opinion!