How to use Customer Feedback/Ratings Part 1
This post is the first of a series on How to Select a Great Freelancer Online. It specifically discusses how to use past customer feedback and work histories to ‘read between the lines’ and reveal a freelancer’s real performance. You can find the index for the series and the first article here.
Part 1 of How to use customer feedback/ratings covers:
- How to use the average feedback rating (or score) to weed out under-performers
- How to assess past work performance and determine a freelancer’s credibility
- How to avoid being Scammed
Part II of How to use customer feedback/ratings (find it here) covers:
- How to analyse customer comments, what they mean, and reading between the lines
- How to do a background check on your potential outsourcer
So, On With Part 1. Customer Feedback, Past History = Future Performance?
The only way to verify someone’s past performance and identity online is by reviewing their customer feedback and interaction within outsourcing websites. All freelance/online outsource sites have customer feedback because it’s extremely useful for filtering out the trash (scammers, fly-by-nighters, psychos etc.). When using feedback and ratings it’s essential to remember that it isn’t perfect. As any investor will sorely tell you, past history is no guarantee of future performance! Add to this the fact that feedback histories can be gamed/manipulated, you’re left with an information source which is only useful if it’s used with care.
How to analyse customer feedback:
All feedback is not created equal, some reviews should be given more weight then others, and there are hidden stories in the data. Here are a few things to look for to keep you safe. Read the rest of this entry