Site reviews

[Chris Ashdown]

Should non Members be able to have site reviews

 

[AllUpHere]

Non members can't post, so obviously not.

 

[Dejay1788]

Should non Members be able to have site reviews

I think he means free members as opposed to full members.

 

[fisicx]

This has been discussed many times. It's not going to change. It's one of the benefits of full membership along with links in signatures.

 

[STDFR33]

I think so.

We get free members asking others to review their:-
(1) Terms and conditions
(2) Letters to employers
(3) Disciplinary letters
(4) Tax calculations
And lots of others.

I'm not sure what makes a site review so special.

Perhaps Sift should increase the membership and introduce real benefits, such as member discounts on insurances etc.

 

[Xtm_Mike]

I don't see site reviews as a premium feature, It's not something that is going to encourage members to pay for premium. Why not make this free and replace it with something valuable.

 

[fisicx]

Why not make this free and replace it with something valuable.

Like what?

Note that other fora I frequent where anyone can ask for a review, many people sign up for the review just to get the link drop - that's all they are interested in. So you will get 30 pointless posts then the link drop on the review forum and never see them again.

 

[Xtm_Mike]

Like what?

Note that other fora I frequent where anyone can ask for a review, many people sign up for the review just to get the link drop - that's all they are interested in. So you will get 30 pointless posts then the link drop on the review forum and never see them again.

I have no idea with what, that would be for the site owners to decide.

Fair comment though, I take it thats the reason it's a paid feature? to avoid link droppers?

This could be sorted by only allowing members with 100 valuable posts or whatever, though I suppose it can encourage more spam posts.

 

[fisicx]

There was one yesterday, 30 banal posts just so they could get to number 31 and link drop some rubbish survey they were doing for University.

If full membership allowed me to post adverts for my services or sponsor threads or whatever then that would be worth the subscription.

 

[Bookmemate]

I think if 'link-dropping' is such a big deal then just get moderators to remove spurious posts.

There are lots of people who will never pay for membership that could be valuable to the community and allowing them to do things, such as ask other members for a site review, is something that would be valuable to them and thus engage them with this forum.

 

[fisicx]

Except they don't. If you stick around you will see people turn up, post with vigour for a few day/weeks then disappear. The amount of engagement is minimal - very often they get loads of advice on their particular problem but never return to respond. To they won't be valuable to the community. Even those who become full members and ask for a review often don't return to their own threads

 

[Xtm_Mike]

is that me?

I need a survey filled for univerisity, this seems like the perfect place. Didn't know it offended people

Don't worry about it mate, it's not hard to offend the usual suspects on on this forum.

 

[Jeff FV]

Although there is no garuntee that anyone will end up reviewing your site, if you have an online presence I think the £30 or so it costs for membership and hence a site review represents excellent value for money.

If @fisicx decides to weigh in on your site review it may be brutal, but it will be valuable and if you heed his advice you'll probably make your membership fee back in months, if not days, in the form of increased conversions.

Of course, I appreciate that not all will benefit from a site review, but I do think it valuable bonus of membership.

 

[Bookmemate]

I think many people wouldn't pay 30 quid more out of principle than because it doesn't make sense as a value proposition.

The only value any forum provides is the content generated by it's users, why pay anything if your input is essentially the product.

Therefore many potentially valuable posters go elsewhere where they can freely discuss their own sites and get feedback from a knowledgeable community.

If the 30 quid is just to keep away rubbish posters, 'link-dropping' then it could probably be lowered to 1 and still do the same job. I suppose I haven't been around long enough to really see this 'link-dropping' phenomenon in all its glory.

 

[Iain_Henderson]

I might be wrong but, as a non paying member, I can't seem to be able to give a review. I can read the review request but can't respond to it.

What is the logic of not allowing a non paying member to help a paying member?

(Fairly sure the answer is technical - if I can post a reply in the review section then I can also request a review)

 

[Xtm_Mike]

Although there is no garuntee that anyone will end up reviewing your site, if you have an online presence I think the £30 or so it costs for membership and hence a site review represents excellent value for money.

If @fisicx decides to weigh in on your site review it may be brutal, but it will be valuable and if you heed his advice you'll probably make your membership fee back in months, if not days, in the form of increased conversions.

Of course, I appreciate that not all will benefit from a site review, but I do think it valuable bonus of membership.

Any testimonials to back that up?

No disrespect to @fisicx, I can see he regularly advices on websites and the like, it's clear he knows his stuff.. but how does his critique qualify as valuable to the tune of £30? Especially to new members who don't have a clue who he is or what he knows.

I think you need some credibility before you have the right to weigh in with a 'brutal' review and expect people to pay for the privilege.

This would apply to any member - myself included, and I consider myself qualified to give site reviews.

 

[fisicx]

In the private member's forum there have been many threads and discussion on the whole website review issue. All sorts of ideas have been put forth over the years, including allowing reviews for free members. It may still happen one day.

As an aside, full membership gets me signature links. These have earned me far more than the membership fee. The ROI is excellent.

 

[Jeff FV]

Any testimonials to back that up?

No disrespect to @fisicx,

I think you need some credibility before you have the right to weigh in with a 'brutal' review and expect people to pay for the privilege.

.

I think his near 25,000 posts gives him credibility.

 

[Xtm_Mike]

In the private member's forum there have been many threads and discussion on the whole website review issue. All sorts of ideas have been put forth over the years, including allowing reviews for free members. It may still happen one day.

As an aside, full membership gets me signature links. These have earned me far more than the membership fee. The ROI is excellent.

Totally agree, aside from the hyperlink benefits, I don't mind supporting websites that provide content I enjoy. Not everyone is the same and will need some gain from their contribution, personally I just don't think site reviews will encourage members to subscribe, maybe I am wrong? has any member actually subscribed for a site review?

If the forum has problems with link dropping there are other ways to combat it.

 

[Kat Haylock]

I might be wrong but, as a non paying member, I can't seem to be able to give a review. I can read the review request but can't respond to it.

At the moment, only members with 100 posts or more are able to give reviews. It was an idea pitched by members when we were making changes to the forum, in an aim to preserve the quality

I don't see site reviews as a premium feature, It's not something that is going to encourage members to pay for premium. Why not make this free and replace it with something valuable.

I have no idea with what, that would be for the site owners to decide.

The site owners already decided that website reviews are valuable - if anyone has another suggestion of something valuable to replace it with then we're all ears though.

If full membership allowed me to post adverts for my services or sponsor threads or whatever then that would be worth the subscription.

We're going to be looking at the membership proposition in the next few months, so I'll pass on these ideas. Thanks!