There are many sites out there to make reviews of new software and applications that are launched. To stand a step ahead of them, you need to be creative in giving reviews of any software or application, in order to satisfy your readers.There are many aspects, a blogger has too keep in mind while reviewing a application.
Why Do People Read Reviews In Blogs?
This is an important question to be answered before continuing the talk on writing a review. Even though there are lots of application reviewing sites on web such as Softpedia, FileHippo, Tucows and so on, people read reviews on blogs for many reasons. I have listed them here:
1) People trust reviews made on blogs as bloggers check them before reviewing it. However, not every blogger does this. So beware, readers!
2) It is neatly explained on blogs rather than other sites that I mentioned above. So, readers can get an insight of what that application actually is, and whether they are in need of it or not.
3) Bloggers give a detailed tutorial of how to use an application, thus making the work of a reader easier.
These are some of the reasons why people wish to read reviews on blog. But, what I have seen on many blogs is that they just write review in a short paragraph and end the post. If that is the matter, then readers would prefer on sites like Softpedia only as they update faster than you.
Tips To Write Review On a Application
So, with above points in mind, we need to write such a post, so that it will be helpful to readers in all ways. Here are some points that you need to take care before writing a review post.
1) NEVER WRITE A POST WITHOUT TRYING THE APPLICATION. This is the most important point that has to be kept in mind before writing a review post. Remember, if you write a post on an application that doesn’t work or contains viruses, then you may get lot of teachers to teach you how to write a blogpost. More than that, if a software contains a virus you will be the cause for hacked PCs of your readers.
2) As far as you can, explain the features of the applcation through images. You can check this post of mine, I had written recently for better understanding.
3) Add a special section in your post called THE STRIKING FEATURE to emphasize on the exact usefulness of the application.
4) If there are any complications in using the applications, give a simple tutorial below the review of how to use it.
My Usual Practice Of Writing Reviews On Applications
I usually, at the beginning, explain briefly about what the application is all about. Then, I list all the places and situations where this application can be used. After this I move on with features through complete image tutorial. I mark the important features in the images so that readers can can understand them easily. Later, if I feel there is a real striking feature then I create a separate section, if otherwise I add it in the features section only. At the end I conclude with encouraging the users to test the application and discuss there experience.
Features List: Bullets Or Paragraphs
It is often a common discussion about how to write the features section. I would say, it all depends on the app. If there are so many features that needs lot of explanation, then it is better to write them in paragraphs. If the features do not require much explanation then bullets would do.
For example, if you are writing the review of Google Wave, there are many features that you have to explain to readers like Tweeting from Wave, Sharing a Wave and so on. These features require explanation as to how it is useful and how to use it. So, it would be better to write paragraphs to explain its features.
However, if you are reviewing a simple application like Notepad + +, it would be enough if you write a list of features as shown below:
- WYSIWYG Editor
- Multi-Viewing
- Multi-documents…… and so on.
However, these are completely my point of view and there is no compulsion that you have to accept it.
So, what do you think of my practice of writing reviews? Did you find this post useful? Please share your opinions through comments below.
Worth reading. Thanks for the post.