FaeDubh

This blog item is all about Review Sites I recently read during the past months. I left a very interesting question on the title which I shamelessly pointing out new and old review sites in the fields of graphic, designing and resource community. “REVIEWERS” on this field have gotten all their nerve to put up a site dedicated to criticizing others’ sites as per request. As far as I know, being a reviewer is not being a critic. You may also visit this post as a trackback.

The question is “DO THEY HAVE THE RIGHTFUL JUDGEMENT?” Under any circumstances, almost all reviewers on this field ended up offending their client through their review because they tend to not review sites but to criticize it. That’s the biggest mistake of almost all reviewers. They call themselves as reviewers while in fact the sounds of their statements are with arrogance and can only be delivered by only a critic.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, is a very popular saying which is truly magnificent to all designers. That is why every designer has their different tastes, strategies, experiences and aesthetics to hold whatever they have on their own. Website is a fruit of experience, strategies and knowledge that only its author understands why their site was delivered that way.

Reviewer’s point of view over a client’s site is not actually the issue when you aim to be a reviewer. You have to put yourself first on your client’s position. Over and over again, understanding and conceptualization is the bold part of being a website reviewer.

For Clients: First of all, before asking for reviews always consider your reviewers experience before asking them to review yours. Take a look at their achievements, how their site looks and how they code it. You don’t want to flare up while reading their reviews, right? If you think you’re good enough, then don’t ask them to review yours.

For Reviewers: First of all, always read first the Code of Ethics of Webmasters before you write your reviews. That is if you know the Code of Ethics. Second, avoid dramas and unnecessary comments such as: “I feel miserable to see…”, “I’m disappointed because…”, “You can just dump your site because…” and alike. This is to those who sometimes says, “I’m not sure on/if/in…. “; how come you’re not sure anyway? You’re there to review sites and you’re not sure? Would you think, if someone reviewed back your site and tell you all those things you won’t get annoyed? Besides, you call yourself as a “Reviewer”.

Second, always remember the reason why you are there. You are there not to rant over your client’s site nor be the greatest judge according to your own very special way. Take time to look over your client’s experience and/or history before pretending you know everything he/she does to his/her site. Lolz! You are there to give second thoughts, suggestion for improvements, explain the hot and what’s not, proposal for the betterment and how others might think about their site in general and don’t rely on your own point of view as you always say I, I, I, I. Remember being a reviewer is not about you. Always think that you are not the only audience he/she has. You are just a part of it.

Third, you cannot review a client’s site without understanding how or why they do that. So, please be careful that you as a reviewer should have an exceptional experience than your client to understand every single detail they put on to their site. You can’t suggest anything about CSS if you don’t even know what it is all about.

Fourth, don’t name yourself as a Reviewer if you are a critic. Critics, evaluators and reviewers have different methods and aspects on delivering constructive writings. Critics are well-known on pointing out faults, deficiencies and short-comings on-site. Critics rely on what they see, what they want and what they feel. They may not consider your hard work because what they see is based upon their own perspective and not yours. Whether you like it or not, they may insult you in any way they want just to knock you out.

On the other hand, evaluators are the one who rate things base on their own point of view. They might consider your effort as well as never points out good things and bad things about you. What you ask them is what they deliver. They have to give an overall ratings and that’s the essence of being an evaluator.

Reviewers are supposed to be the most considerate people among the three. They have to see the depths of the things in order to deliver good ways for improvement. Reviewers are there for second thoughts, giving you more information on how you’ve done or what else needs to improve. Unlike critics who have the right to point out your mistakes on this and that.

Reviewers can suggest, optimize and propose better ways for you to improve yourself and your stuffs. Pointing faults are not their specialty. They are not up to what your mistakes are nor insult you for what you’ve done. They are heroes who can actually help you get around with your stuffs. They see mistakes but they have to deliver a good statement out of it for you to get it better. In anyway, you will notice a good reviewer has a fair judgement, very constructive and professional in pointing out what’s hot and what’s not. They don’t only see their side but see you as a whole to give you unique strategies out of the blue.

If you think you’re good enough, try to ask critics who can give you every single mistakes you’ve done. If you’re unsure of what you are doing or if you think your knowledge is limited, then try asking for a second thought from reviewers. Now, if you are contented with everything you do, then you might want to consider asking an evaluator who can rate you.