A good product review template has six parts: a one-line verdict, who you are and why you bought it, how you used it, what worked, what didn't, and who it's right for. Fill those in with specifics from your own use and the review almost writes itself. Below are three templates, a short customer review, a full blog review and a comparison, each with a sample.
Templates help because most bad reviews fail the same way: they describe the product instead of the experience of using it. These outlines force the experience in.
Template one: short customer review
Use this on a shop, Amazon or Google. Keep it to a few short paragraphs.
- Headline: your verdict in a few words.
- Context: who you are in relation to the product and why you bought it.
- Use: how and how long you've used it.
- Best thing: one specific strength.
- Downside: one specific weakness.
- Who it suits: the buyer it's right for, and who should skip it.
Sample short review
Headline: Quiet, simple, but the jug is small. I bought this kettle for a small office kitchen to replace one that was too loud for calls. We've used it daily for a couple of months. It's quiet and switches off reliably. The downside is the jug size: it needs refilling more than once at busy times. Great for a small team, too small for a big one.
Template two: full blog review
Use this for an in-depth review on your blog or website.
- Verdict first: two or three sentences with your recommendation.
- What it is: what the product does and who makes it, in plain words.
- How I tested it: how long, in what situation, compared with what.
- Setup or first use: anything surprising at the start.
- What works well: two or three strengths, each with an example.
- What could be better: two or three weaknesses, each with an example.
- Who should buy it and who shouldn't.
- Alternatives: what you'd choose instead in different situations.
- Disclosure: say if you received the product free or have any connection to the brand.
For reviews meant to help readers decide and act, my guide to writing product reviews that convert adds structure, and writing affiliate reviews people believe covers the trust side.
Template three: comparison review
- The question: the decision the reader faces, such as which of two products suits a small team.
- Quick answer: which wins for whom.
- Side by side: the three or four things that matter most for this decision.
- Where each one wins: one section per product.
- The deciding factor: the one thing that should tip the choice.
Phrases that make a review useful
- After using it for [time] for [task]...
- I expected [X], and what surprised me was [Y]...
- The one thing I'd change is...
- If you [situation], choose this. If you [other situation], look at [alternative].
- I received this product free from [brand]. My opinion is my own.
Mistakes the template prevents
- Copying the product description instead of describing use
- All praise and no downside, which readers distrust
- Reviewing before you've used it long enough
- Leaving out who the product is wrong for
- Forgetting to disclose a free product
For more on what readers look for, read what a product review is, with types and examples. Shoppers who want to judge reviews before trusting them can use the checks in the best product review sites for shoppers. And if you write longer reviews, there are shopping sites that take guest posts.
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Frequently asked questions
What should a product review include?
A verdict, who you are and why you bought it, how you used it, what worked, what didn't, and who it suits. Add a disclosure if you received it free.
How long should a product review be?
A customer review on a shop works in a few short paragraphs. A blog review needs enough room to cover testing, strengths, weaknesses and alternatives with examples.
Should a product review include negatives?
Yes. Readers trust reviews that name at least one downside, and it helps the right buyer decide.
Can I use a template for Amazon reviews?
Yes, the short customer review template fits Amazon. Write it in your own words and follow Amazon's Community Guidelines.
Do I need to say if I got the product free?
Yes. The FTC says reviewers who receive free products should disclose it clearly, close to the review.
