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radio · 08-13-2008, 05:15 PM

REVIEW: WP Review Site

Here's a quick snapshot of my first impressions:

Very straightforward installation of plugin: upload, activate, configure settings, done.
Site setup w/in 5 minutes using included theme.

For some reason I thought that the included theme was the same as Award Winning Hosts. I see now on the features page there is a screen shot of the included theme, but - really - I'm the only one to make this mistake? The included theme is not near as attractive as Award Winning Hosts so that was kind of a let down - granted, it is a very clean and functional design.

The plugin is not plug and play for other themes. You do need to add the functions to the theme manually in order to take advantage of the plugin. However, it's well documented. Dan - can't this be handled from within the plugin? That would certainly open up the audience (currently alientating those who aren't comfortable editing themes).

The links above from version 1.1.1 do not do justice to the new plugin. The old version uses a numeric rating scale vs. the new premium plugins star rating system - an improvement that is very pleasing visually to the end user (both readers and reviewers).

Minor critique: Upon hitting save on the settings page, a notification indicating changes have been saved would be similar to Wordpress and many other plugins and add an image with your custom theme that displays on the design page.

Support
phpBay has an active forum and a developer who is continually upgrading the plugin. There doesn't seem to exist that kind of support for WP Review Site. Perhaps something for Dan to consider.

Implementations
I'm currently using the plugin on a couple test sites and when finished I'll provide links and a deeper analysis.

Here are some angles to pursue: affiliate review site (hosting, credit cards, green tea, etc.), citywide apartment reviews, Best Of _(insert city)_ - bars, restaurants, etc.

I'm curious to use both WP Review Site and this plugin to really crank out user generated content. Create the shell and then let the users go nuts filling in both the thing being reviewed and then the reviews. I would think this would be great for city search guides.

Price
I can't say that I would be interested in investing $99 in any one of the ideas above and $299 for a multisite license is very steep in my opinion. I'm comparing the features, support, and expandability of this plugin to another premium plugin phpBay. phpBay runs $79 (20% off here) and includes lifetime upgrades, community support, and it's really plug and play for any theme. Upload, activate, configure, profit w/ phpBay.

Now with WP Review Site the earnings model is not as straight forward, but the earning avenues are significant. The fact that this plugin can help considerably in generating user generated content is a huge plus. Consider setting up a site that reviews affiliate's products (like a hosting review site), you're able to send traffic to the affiliate's page to complete an offer. With EPN you're fighting to be the last cookie set - as the market gets flooded it might become more difficult in that arena. With WP Review Site, you're reaching people as they are comparing products / services and closer to the buy stage.

I would think that a better price point would be $79 for single, $99 for multisite. I would not be interested in this plugin for a single implementation, but $299 is just too steep.

I think if Dan revisits the pricing structure, implements some forums for support, and either integrates the function calls directly through the plugin OR offers additional "review ready" themes, that this plugin could be a real powerhouse. Would you rather sell 10 at $99 or 100 at $49 - that's my take. I'll update more as I continue to develop the sites.

08-13-2008, 05:15 PM	#24 (permalink)
radio Unconsciously competent. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,540 iTrader: 25 / 100%	REVIEW: WP Review Site Here's a quick snapshot of my first impressions: Very straightforward installation of plugin: upload, activate, configure settings, done. Site setup w/in 5 minutes using included theme. For some reason I thought that the included theme was the same as Award Winning Hosts. I see now on the features page there is a screen shot of the included theme, but - really - I'm the only one to make this mistake? The included theme is not near as attractive as Award Winning Hosts so that was kind of a let down - granted, it is a very clean and functional design. The plugin is not plug and play for other themes. You do need to add the functions to the theme manually in order to take advantage of the plugin. However, it's well documented. Dan - can't this be handled from within the plugin? That would certainly open up the audience (currently alientating those who aren't comfortable editing themes). The links above from version 1.1.1 do not do justice to the new plugin. The old version uses a numeric rating scale vs. the new premium plugins star rating system - an improvement that is very pleasing visually to the end user (both readers and reviewers). Minor critique: Upon hitting save on the settings page, a notification indicating changes have been saved would be similar to Wordpress and many other plugins and add an image with your custom theme that displays on the design page. Support phpBay has an active forum and a developer who is continually upgrading the plugin. There doesn't seem to exist that kind of support for WP Review Site. Perhaps something for Dan to consider. Implementations I'm currently using the plugin on a couple test sites and when finished I'll provide links and a deeper analysis. Here are some angles to pursue: affiliate review site (hosting, credit cards, green tea, etc.), citywide apartment reviews, Best Of _(insert city)_ - bars, restaurants, etc. I'm curious to use both WP Review Site and this plugin to really crank out user generated content. Create the shell and then let the users go nuts filling in both the thing being reviewed and then the reviews. I would think this would be great for city search guides. Price I can't say that I would be interested in investing $99 in any one of the ideas above and $299 for a multisite license is very steep in my opinion. I'm comparing the features, support, and expandability of this plugin to another premium plugin phpBay. phpBay runs $79 (20% off here) and includes lifetime upgrades, community support, and it's really plug and play for any theme. Upload, activate, configure, profit w/ phpBay. Now with WP Review Site the earnings model is not as straight forward, but the earning avenues are significant. The fact that this plugin can help considerably in generating user generated content is a huge plus. Consider setting up a site that reviews affiliate's products (like a hosting review site), you're able to send traffic to the affiliate's page to complete an offer. With EPN you're fighting to be the last cookie set - as the market gets flooded it might become more difficult in that arena. With WP Review Site, you're reaching people as they are comparing products / services and closer to the buy stage. I would think that a better price point would be $79 for single, $99 for multisite. I would not be interested in this plugin for a single implementation, but $299 is just too steep. I think if Dan revisits the pricing structure, implements some forums for support, and either integrates the function calls directly through the plugin OR offers additional "review ready" themes, that this plugin could be a real powerhouse. Would you rather sell 10 at $99 or 100 at $49 - that's my take. I'll update more as I continue to develop the sites. __________________ auction2post : Retail Affiliate Content Generator for Wordpress Targeted Niche Specific Content Creation using eBay API! Get auction2post - the only eBay Wordpress plugin with the flexibility to monetize other income sources! I'm not a member of ePN... so what! Get the plugin bb_wolfe calls "the best Wordpress plugin out there, bar none!" Amazing WP plugin developer Refrozen calls auction2post "pimp!"