How to write a good review
Write proper like what I do!
Use correct spelling and good conversational grammar. Check that your review would make sense if you were reading it aloud. Divide your review into conventional sentences and paragraphs, and leave two empty lines in your text to create a gap between paragraphs.
Get personal
We want to hear what you really thought of the business, whether you loved it or hated it. We need your personal take on the service - try to avoid sounding like you're simply regurgitating the business' own website.
Leave out the nasties
Your language can certainly be creative, but we don't want it too colorful. Leave out any swear words or offensive language. Feel free to write a negative review if you weren't too keen on a business, but please don't make any libelous comments. If things were really terrible, fine - but don't make up details to enhance the shock value.
The voice of experience
Draw on your local knowledge - our readers want to know all the little details that only first-hand experience can provide. Is there something unusual about the business that you wouldn't know unless you'd been there? Maybe the local shop closes early on Fridays, or your favourite Indian restaurant always gives free poppadoms to loyal regulars? It's this inside knowledge that makes your reviews special.
Size matters
We're all for concision, but if your review is short make sure it contains enough detail to be useful to others and talks about several different aspects of the business. If you're going for something a little longer, try to avoid waffle. We want to hear all the juicy details, but remember there is a limit to readers' concentration span.
An example review
We've taken Nat R's review of the Angel Curry Centre in Islington, and broken it down to show you exactly what we like about it.
Star rating: 5
Based on welovelocal standards for ratings. Five stars means the businesses is way beyond the reviewer's expectations.
"If we want a takeway in our household, this is our automatic default choice."
Establishes the first-hand basis of the reviewer's knowledge from the start - so the reader can trust that she knows what she's talking about.
"Nothing fancy, what you get here is a traditional 'English' style curry - but if that's what you want, it can't be beaten."
Uses plain English in a conversational style. It's friendly and approachable, but uses standard grammar and spelling to make sure the message is understood.
"The owners are extremely generous, and reward our loyalty with free soft drinks and poppadoms. The portion sizes themselves are pleasingly large, and I particularly recommend the thalis if you're feeling hungry."
Includes details that could only come from personal experience, providing inside knowledge on what the business is really like.
"The prices are extremely reasonable - you can get two very generous meals for £15."
Uses specific facts and figures to illustrate her review, and to help readers find exactly what they're looking for.
"If you go to the restaurant, you will find it cramped but extremely friendly, and although they do not serve alcohol, there is a bring-your-own policy."
The review isn't biased – it includes negatives as well as positives, but the negative points are fair and there's no libelous exaggeration.
The review is concise and avoids waffle, but still manages to cover different aspects of the business such as food quality, service, price and interior.