If you are doing a product review requested by a company, you will want to follow their guidance for providing feedback. However, you do not have to wait for a company to make a request, you can provide your own product review. Product reviews have become commonplace on e-commerce websites, like Amazon, that provide online purchasing. Below are some tips for writing a product review that will help developers understand and become sensitive to your experiences with and feelings about their product. Empathy can be a strong catalyst for bringing about product change. If you post a review on an e-commerce site, you will also want to send the product manufacturer a copy of your review.
5 Tips for Writing a Product Review
1) Provide Context
Part of interpreting product feedback is understanding who is giving the feedback. Provide enough information so that a developer can better understand you and your technology use. Indicate whether you are a new or experienced user of any relevant technology. If you’re an experienced user, describe the frequency and extent to which you have used the technology. It can also be helpful to indicate both your confidence and comfort with the technology used.
For example, instead of saying this:
I’m a hearing aid wearer.
Say something like this:
I’m a successful, long-time (+10 yrs) hearing aid user. I wear my two behind the ear hearing aids all day, every day. Until very recently I haven’t needed to use any assistive technology in combination with my hearing aids. While I’m comfortable using the technology I own, I’m not confident I’m making the best use of the technology I have.
2) State your Goals
Describe why you wanted to purchase the product and what your goals are for using it. Discuss your needs and wants and explain the problem you wanted to solve. What are you trying to accomplish?
For example, instead of saying this:
I need to hear better at work.
Say something like this:
I recently began having more issues hearing in group settings with just my hearing aids. The daily morning stand-up meetings at my company have become more challenging, as have dinners out with family or friends when there are more than 3-4 people in the group. I purchased this remote microphone to hear better in both situations so I can participate more, with more confidence.
3) Be Detailed and Specific
Describe the product and how you are using it in detail. Be specific by providing the make and model of the product you are reviewing, along with any software versions used for operating the product. If you are using the product in conjunction with another product, make sure you provide the same detailed and specific information for all the technologies that are working together.
For example, instead of saying this:
I purchased the BestEver remote microphone.
Say something like this:
I purchased the BestEver remote microphone model xyz and use it with my BestEver hearing aids model xyz. I pair the microphone with my hearing aids using Bluetooth. The pairing process is easy and quick to do. Then I only need to place the microphone near what I want to hear. At work meetings, I put it in the center of the table where we meet. For group dinners, I also place it in the middle of the table.
4) Keep it Personal and Honest
Include your personal thoughts about and experiences with the product without generalizing. Speak for yourself; don’t assume all users will share your thoughts and experiences. Point out what you would consider both positives and negatives of the product. While it’s important to be honest, it’s also important to be objective by providing the reasons behind your opinions.
For example, instead of saying this:
The remote microphone works for me sometimes and not others.
Say something like this:
The remote microphone works best for me in smaller groups of 6-10 people who are sitting around a table. In this situation, everyone’s speech sounds crisp and clear. If I’m in a larger meeting space for work and there’s a presenter, I put the remote microphone near the speaker but that means I may not hear people who are farther away nearly as well if they ask questions or have comments. I’ve also almost walked out of a meeting and forgotten to take the remote microphone with me. I’d love if there was some kind of alert, maybe through an app that lets me know my remote microphone is out of range. I’m not sure I’d want to receive the alert through my hearing aids though.
5) Give a Recommendation
Provide a response to this question at the end of your review: “How likely is it that you'll recommend this product to a friend or colleague who has the same goals for the technology as you do?” One way you can respond is by using a number from 0 to 10, where 0 means you are not at all likely to recommend the product and 10 means you are extremely likely to recommend the product. Explain your recommendation.
For example, instead of saying this:
I might recommend this remote microphone given it’s not too expensive.
Say something like this:
For someone with the same hearing needs as I have, I’d recommend this remote microphone with caution (7 out of 10). It has generally helped me address the problems I’ve been having at work and gatherings with family and friends. However, there are limits to how effective it is when I’m trying to hear people in larger spaces, but these situations happen less often. The benefit I receive is worth the cost of the device, but there are things that could be improved that would increase my satisfaction.
Now Compare
Each example above has been used to create two full reviews so it is easier to compare the different styles.
Review 1
I’m a hearing aid wearer and need to hear better at work so I purchased the BestEver remote microphone. It works for me sometimes and not others. I might recommend this mic given it’s not too expensive.
Review 2
I’m a successful, long-time (+10 yrs) hearing aid user. I wear my two behind the ear hearing aids all day, every day. Until very recently I haven’t needed to use any assistive technology in combination with my hearing aids. While I’m comfortable using the technology I own, I’m not confident I’m making the best use of the technology I have.
I recently began having more issues hearing in group settings with just my hearing aids. The daily morning stand-up meetings at my company have become more challenging, as have dinners out with family or friends when there are more than 3-4 people in the group. I purchased this remote microphone to hear better in both situations so I can participate more, with more confidence.
I purchased the BestEver remote microphone model xyz and use it with my BestEver hearing aids model xyz. I pair the microphone with my hearing aids using Bluetooth. The pairing process is easy and quick to do. Then I only need to place the microphone near what I want to hear. At work meetings, I put it in the center of the table where we meet. For group dinners, I also place it in the middle of the table.
The remote microphone works best for me in smaller groups of 6-10 people who are sitting around a table. In this situation, everyone’s speech sounds crisp and clear. If I’m in a larger meeting space for work and there’s a presenter, I put the remote microphone near the speaker but that means I may not hear people who are farther away nearly as well if they ask questions or have comments. I’ve also almost walked out of a meeting and forgotten to take the remote microphone with me. I’d love if there was some kind of alert, maybe through an app that lets me know my remote microphone is out of range. I’m not sure I’d want to receive the alert through my hearing aids though.
For someone with the same hearing needs as I have, I’d recommend this remote microphone with caution (7 out of 10). It has generally helped me address the problems I’ve been having at work and gatherings with family and friends. However, there are limits to how effective it is when I’m trying to hear people in larger spaces, but these situations happen less often. The benefit I receive is worth the cost of the device, but there are things that could be improved that would increase my satisfaction.
