Writing product reviews online for physical products presents its own set of challenges. Getting the product, for one, especially if the product review is for an expensive item. Then reviewing specifications to make sure the product lives up to its promises.
But, the hardest, and most important part of writing a product review is thinking about all of the different ways, all of the different kinds of buyers might use the product.
Writing Reviews for Online Services
As a freelance writer for reviews, I am often tasked with writing reviews for online services. As an expert freelance finance writer, the services I’m most often asked to review are online financial services.
Writing reviews for financial services has all of the same challenges as standard reviews, with the added challenge that the reviewer may not want to sign up for yet another financial app, especially if it means spending more money, entering sensitive banking information, and giving yet another provider your Social Security number.
So, how does a professional review writer review online money services and apps?
How To Review Financial Services
Fortunately, unlike most products where the manufacturer is relatively free to say whatever they want about the product getting reviewed, financial services are well regulated. Where there is no regulation, they actively seek to avoid lawsuits, or give themselves the ammunition to win lawsuits by disclosing important details about their service. The catch, of course, is finding and reading these disclosures where they hide in the fine print at the bottom of the page, or on a separate page altogether.
For example, reviewing a rewards credit card doesn’t necessarily require actually applying for the credit card and using it. After all, the experience of physically using a credit card is well standardized thanks to the virtual monopoly held by Visa and MasterCard. Finding the best credit card is actually done via analyzing the fine print and terms of service that detail exactly how the card will work for the holder. Things like annual fees, interest rates, dispute processes, and rewards programs are all disclosed in tiny print in some form of terms and conditions document.
Likewise, and online investing service must disclose how it processes trades, how much it charges in fees and commissions, and what, if any, side benefits there. For example, Fidelity has an online investing platform, but it also has a Fidelity credit card. It’s distinguishing quirk is the ability to earn 2% cash back, but then direct that cash back into a Fidelity IRA, for example.
Other money apps include those that somehow link to your checking account giving you easy, or even automated abilities to save money, like the Digit app, or to invest that money, like with the Acorns investing app.
By carefully reviewing the terms of service, the financial disclosures, and other documents, a professional reviewer will create a solid, informed opinion about the product, and write up a review detailing the conclusions. Such a review should consider all different types of users, and inform who such services might be best suited to. This kind of detailed review of all the fine print produces the best product review, even better than a review created from one perspective of using the product in real life.