Customer reviews

Have you ever considered publishing customer reviews on your web site? First read the Wall Street Journal article "Giving Reviews the Thumbs Down".

Customer product reviews are popular among online shoppers and an increasing number of merchants are rolling them out. But some retailers are struggling with how they should handle a flood of submissions, and in particular, negative reviews that could make it difficult to sell a product. Even established players have had to adapt: After years of letting Internet users anonymously critique everything it sells, Amazon.com Inc. last year began requiring reviewers to register an email address or provide a credit card to combat abuse in its system.

I think it’s a good idea to solicit reviews from customers after they make a purchase. If they have a problem, you’ll be the first whom they will tell about it. You will have a chance to solve the problem. If you cannot solve the problem, you may have to issue a refund. I guess, this will increase your refund rate a little bit but frustrated customers will not voice their dissatisfaction on forums and software sites. Moreover, you will get great testimonials from customers who are happy with your software.