Original software reviews are written by actual users, based on their experiences with the software. They cover both the good and the bad, and are an invaluable source of information for other shoppers of software. It is essential to know where a reviewer’s source is from and what the goal of the software they are reviewing. Invalid reviews may occur for various reasons, from genuine satisfaction and balanced experiences to untrue motives.
To assure the accuracy and integrity of an examination, it is necessary to perform the following tests.
Identity Check – Every review is scrutinized for key identifiers, such as name, job title and email address, to verify that it was written by a genuine person. The review will not be published in the event that the reviewer is not able to be verified. Conflict of Interest Check – If the reviewer is in any way connected with the company being evaluated, or they are a direct competitor their review will not be published.
For customers, the same verification and quality control procedures apply to all reviews regardless of the rating or product being reviewed. This is to ensure that all reviews are handled with respect and without bias.
Vendors should respond to all reviews – even ones with low ratings as this is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate that they take their customers’ concerns seriously and are willing to listen. However, vendors shouldn’t try to influence reviews by requiring a non-disparagement clause in the customer’s contracts, as this is a violation of federal law.