Irrelevant Review(s)
Site reviews, some avoid them, some actually apply for them to see how they can make their site (even) better. I think it’s safe to say I fit in the last category. I like receiving reviews about my website. That however, doesn’t mean I always agree with them. Some of them are really good and actually give me some things to work with, others give me something else; a laughing fit.
I expect reviews to be relatively lengthy and at least give me some useful information as to how I should make it better. Unfortunately there are a lot of review sites basing their reviews on the personal opinion of the reviewers. I can understand that sometimes a personal opinion comes into it, but overall it should at least give some facts, tips and information rather than ‘I don’t like it much’.
Ranting about certain review sites has been done before on SB, go check out The Stellar Scale. You might wonder why I would do it again then. Well really simple; I received a review yesterday which first had me excited. It’s been a little while after applying for it, and the notification email said; Your review has finally been completed. Oh boy was I excited, I waited a while to get it and now it was finally finished. Opening the website I was expecting a long review with some good tips. What I saw next kind of shocked me and then had me curl my toes, to let me finish it up with a loud laughter…
Read and weep (or laugh whichever you prefer!).
All jokes aside though, I added two more reviews to the list that I received quiet a while ago but for some reason never put up. I seriously thought I added them; PetShopGirls Review by Rhiannon and The Review Club Review by Crystena, also Karen reminded me that I still hadn’t put up her review, I still haven’t but I’ll do that as soon as I find a free moment!
Also, a big thank you for those who sent me an e-gift for the holidays. I love them and will put them up as soon as possible as well.
Plugged: Kat, Corinne, Nan, Amber, Hannah, Laura, Crystena, Jess, Sylvia, Rafia, Lindsey
9 Comments on "Irrelevant Review(s)"
We never reviewed you at Honest Truth Reviews? Wow, strange. That “review” was certainly a pleasure to read, might I add 
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I like getting reviews too 
Unfortunately (especially in ys.nu), reviewers don’t want to read through all of your site and decide to look for all the things you did wrong without leaving any valid suggestions. Bias reviewers annoy me, too. “You used purple; one star off.”
We need crappy review sites, though. They make us laugh. Hee. xD
@ Jessica, Reviews can be good, to help you improve, not only layout wise but i.e. coding wise. I learned a lot about proper coding from reviews. Layouts are always personal although I think there should be at least a few standards everyone should consider.
@ Jon; no I was never reviewed at Honest Truth Reviews. Last time I checked submissions where closed if I remember correctly. I know that would be a worthy review to receive!
@ Stella, we sure need them, I love having a good laugh now and then.
I’ve recently written an article about what’s necessary to be a good reviewer. I believe ability to take criticism is one of them. Regarding Alyssa’s review, you can check out my review of her site here: yoursite.nu/websites/4851. Her feedback says it all.
Oh and by the way i.e. means “it est” or in English “that is”. You shouldn’t use it to say “for example”. The latter is e.g. (exempli gratia – not sure about the spelling) – taken from the review where you explain about the navigation
Anyway, I agree. It’s rather useless, but it’s still an opinion. Oh and there’s a new WPR which promises to be good (if the layout is not particularly good): National Anthem – reviews.miss-misfit.com – in case you’re interested. I know I always jump at the opportunity. *grins*
I really want to – I just never get around to submit myself. Some part of me is afraid that all the review will result in is to point fingers at my rather bad English grammar and me trying to justify it by replying that it’s my second language – even that I have blogged in English for years now.
I will get around to submit myself – if it turns out crap I can laugh at it – but should it turn out to be constructive I will be very happy.
I read your review – actually that is what I would expect from some random review site – so I guess I wouldn’t be too annoyed/disappointed. Most review sites has some reviews put on display so it’s possible to see what kind of reviews the will return – constructive or not.
Umbrella, umbrella, for the win… I like your site (now I just sound like one of those fan girlies!) and I wouldn’t take advice unless you can see it and understand it. I’m not a fan of scoring reviews either.
Thanks guys, let’s first get it straight that I’m not bothered by the (lack of) advice in the review, it just disappointed me that it was so short and poor quality.
Umbrella is great, I received their review ages ago and it helped me out a lot.
And Jeff; It matters
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I don’t really submit to review sites, because I know there’s a lot I could do to improve that I don’t need to hear from someone else, and that I should do that before submitting. And then I keep putting it off.
But yeah, I occasionally get reviews on yoursite.nu, and almost all of them (well, the new ones) go, “I hate your layout, and you barely have any content.” I point out that there’s a theme switcher with more graphical layouts available, and they dock a point for having an “attitude”! Well, really I’m just talking about one review in particular now, but still.
It always annoyed me because I was always careful to leave long, detailed and hopefully helpful reviews to people, and I mentioned in my site’s description that I was not that interested in layout critique. In the end, I stopped visiting that website.
So yeah—I understand the frustration. (Your layout’s a lot better than mine, anyway. xD)