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How do consumer reviews affect purchasing?

Do you look at reviews of products before you make a purchase? Most consumers take some time in the consumer buying process to research a product and look at product reviews. Product reviews are one of the best ways to learn the good and bad features of a product. These reviews can greatly influence whether a consumer buys a product.

Why are reviews so valuable? You can search for a product and find numerous reviews on most company websites. A large number of reviews may be your best source for information about a product. Another advantage of numerous reviews is that you get an unbiased view; many people will probably say the same thing and give you information that is more correct. You also get real information because consumers speak from personal experience.

Look below at the slideshow to see different types of reviews. Use this information to answer the question below; then compare your answer to the answer provided.

Versus Reviews

Versus reviews are reviews that feature direct comparisons between two competing products. You get the pros and cons of each—information that is very helpful in choosing the product that is best for you.

Comparison Charts

Comparison charts are tables that most retailers provide on their websites to compare multiple products. This research tool provides basic general information on each product. The broad view allows you to get a better idea of each product's features in comparison with each other, helping you to decide which product is best for you.

Single Product Reviews

Single product reviews are the most readily available reviews to consumers. These are the reviews that consumers leave on product pages of retail sites. Think of your favorite e-commerce site and the star reviews that people leave about the products there.

Buyer's Guides

Many companies create comprehensive buyer's guides that contain full-scale reviews of products on websites, magazines, or videos. They usually include full testing and value reviews. The detail of these reviews can help a buyer all the way through the consumer buying process.

Interviews

Interviews with the creator or seller of a product can offer consumers a unique insight into a product. Interviews can present the perspective of the company and a more personal touch to the product.

Question

What is the overall value of product reviews?