orion
10-31-2004, 02:23 PM
For Reviewers and Submitters
I’m starting this thread with one objective in mind: to serve as a reference point for
Beta test reviewers ; i.e., members interested in providing honest feedback
Submitters; i.e., authors and developers seeking honest feedback
Why do we need this thread? Simply put, because reviewing SEO/SEM/search-related software through a forum is similar to shooting at a moving target.
Consider this.
Products or services to be reviewed
1. could have merits or be a mere promotional exercise (e.g., drive-by spam)
2. could be unique or a derivative of something already available
3. could involve new technology or nothing new at all
4. can be legal or infringe on other rights and intellectual property
5. could be useful to SEO/SEM specialists or could be useless
Submitters
1. may be looking for honest feedback or don’t care about feedback
2. could be a well-intentioned member of the forum or could be a circuit worker (someone that works the SEO forums circuit with the same post or announcement)
Reviewers
1. may find or miss the most noteworthy features (or flaws) of the product
2. may find or miss strengths and weaknesses in a product
3. may or may not be biased in favor or against what he/she is reviewing
As we can see, providing feedback through a forum is one of the most difficult tasks. That’s why I call this “shooting at a moving target”. Without identifying products, services or companies
1. What is your take on the above?
2. What do you expect from new SEO/SEM products or services?
3. What do you like/hate the most from new SEO/SEM products or services?
4. What do you expect from beta test reviewers and submitters?
5. What are the top no-no’s about products or services you have reviewed or are beta testing?
As previously mentioned, the purpose of this thread is to serve as reference point for both submitters and beta reviewers. In this way the thread can be revisited before seeking or providing honest feedback. Most definitely this is not a bashing corner.
Think of it as a “wish list”, “do’s-and-don’ts list” or a “give me your two cents” corner.
Here are my two cents.
Some SEO/SEM specialists and marketers know, talk about or promote the fact that a given marketing strategy cannot be applied to multiple situations. The notion in the sense that “one size fits all” is simply plain wrong. What surprise me is to see the very same marketers adopting this practice when promoting their own products or services. Go figure!
For example, seeking contact information from clients (usernames, passwords, emails, urls, phone numbers, etc) is a standard and fair practice. This works well when a company-client relationship is established or about to be established (e.g., a client about to download software)
However, many users -including myself- choke on the idea that in order to provide beta test feedback or even have a little test drive they have to provide log-in information. You can disagree with me, but I find this practice a huge marketing no-no, especially with companies I never heard about before.
In these days of security flaws, spyware, and spamware it doesn’t hurt to be on a permanent alert. My advice to prospective reviewers, submitters, and users is this: Be an educated consumer. Statement like “Trust us. We don’t use spyware toolbars” insures nothing.
Before using such products or services or downloading anything, use your common sense, as you are on your own risk. Honestly think, would you facilitate information over the phone to someone you never heard about before? Then, why do you want to do this online?
Feel free to add your “wish list”, “do’s-and-don’ts list”, “two cents” or to disagree with me. The more we discuss these issues the more we learn from the experience.
Orion
I’m starting this thread with one objective in mind: to serve as a reference point for
Beta test reviewers ; i.e., members interested in providing honest feedback
Submitters; i.e., authors and developers seeking honest feedback
Why do we need this thread? Simply put, because reviewing SEO/SEM/search-related software through a forum is similar to shooting at a moving target.
Consider this.
Products or services to be reviewed
1. could have merits or be a mere promotional exercise (e.g., drive-by spam)
2. could be unique or a derivative of something already available
3. could involve new technology or nothing new at all
4. can be legal or infringe on other rights and intellectual property
5. could be useful to SEO/SEM specialists or could be useless
Submitters
1. may be looking for honest feedback or don’t care about feedback
2. could be a well-intentioned member of the forum or could be a circuit worker (someone that works the SEO forums circuit with the same post or announcement)
Reviewers
1. may find or miss the most noteworthy features (or flaws) of the product
2. may find or miss strengths and weaknesses in a product
3. may or may not be biased in favor or against what he/she is reviewing
As we can see, providing feedback through a forum is one of the most difficult tasks. That’s why I call this “shooting at a moving target”. Without identifying products, services or companies
1. What is your take on the above?
2. What do you expect from new SEO/SEM products or services?
3. What do you like/hate the most from new SEO/SEM products or services?
4. What do you expect from beta test reviewers and submitters?
5. What are the top no-no’s about products or services you have reviewed or are beta testing?
As previously mentioned, the purpose of this thread is to serve as reference point for both submitters and beta reviewers. In this way the thread can be revisited before seeking or providing honest feedback. Most definitely this is not a bashing corner.
Think of it as a “wish list”, “do’s-and-don’ts list” or a “give me your two cents” corner.
Here are my two cents.
Some SEO/SEM specialists and marketers know, talk about or promote the fact that a given marketing strategy cannot be applied to multiple situations. The notion in the sense that “one size fits all” is simply plain wrong. What surprise me is to see the very same marketers adopting this practice when promoting their own products or services. Go figure!
For example, seeking contact information from clients (usernames, passwords, emails, urls, phone numbers, etc) is a standard and fair practice. This works well when a company-client relationship is established or about to be established (e.g., a client about to download software)
However, many users -including myself- choke on the idea that in order to provide beta test feedback or even have a little test drive they have to provide log-in information. You can disagree with me, but I find this practice a huge marketing no-no, especially with companies I never heard about before.
In these days of security flaws, spyware, and spamware it doesn’t hurt to be on a permanent alert. My advice to prospective reviewers, submitters, and users is this: Be an educated consumer. Statement like “Trust us. We don’t use spyware toolbars” insures nothing.
Before using such products or services or downloading anything, use your common sense, as you are on your own risk. Honestly think, would you facilitate information over the phone to someone you never heard about before? Then, why do you want to do this online?
Feel free to add your “wish list”, “do’s-and-don’ts list”, “two cents” or to disagree with me. The more we discuss these issues the more we learn from the experience.
Orion