How to Critique Without Condemning

When Google introduces new updates, some sites are hit worse than others. With more stringent requirements for content and SEO, writers everywhere are wondering what they should write about to direct traffic to their clients’ site.

One thing content writers have discovered is that Google loves reviews and critiques of products. This can be a great way to drive traffic to the site you write for, but you have to know what you are doing to succeed.

First of all, Google looks for fresh content. So don’t plan on throwing out a few quick reviews and moving on to other things. Review products, services and places regularly to keep the traffic coming.

If the site is for a product or service, then you want to be writing reviews anyway. It’s not enough anymore to simply list a product description. People want to hear what other people think about a product before they buy it. So use the product you have listed and write a review.

The next part is to remain honest throughout the review. If there were parts you did not like, you have to be honest. But you can remain friendly while being honest. You don’t have to write such a brutal review that no one wants to buy the product. That won’t help your site owner, the people interested in the product or rank high for SEO purposes.

Be respectful in your opinions and write a nice, honest review. Mention the parts you didn’t like, but come back with the parts you did like.

The problem comes when you really can’t think of many positive things to say about a certain product or service. Or maybe you genuinely want to warn customers to stay away from this product. In this case, as a content writer, you need to evaluate what your client wants from you. They need your help in promoting their product, but you hated it. Now what?

First of all, keep this kind of review short and simple. Do not use overly negative words such as ‘stupid’, ‘horrible’, ‘miserable’ or similar adjectives. Focus on any part of the product that was positive. Or suggest things that could improve the user’s experience with the product. For example, if you didn’t like how your bread baked in the bread pan, suggest using it for storage only. You can almost always find a different use for an item that may still help the consumer in the end.

Every website that sells products needs writers to write reviews on their products. If you follow these tips, this could be a lucrative opportunity for you. Another downfall to consistently producing negative reviews is that this could hurt your chance to gain other clients.

Keep it honest but simple and you can make a name for yourself as a review writer on the web.

@JulianaP16 is an associate at InMotion Web Hosting company, you can reach out to her directly on Twitter. Many customers of InMotion use their WordPress Hosting due to their incredible US based Tech Support who are familiar with many of the open source systems InMotion offer as a one click install to your hosting package.

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay