In 2017, 40 percent of surveyed individuals said that they would “refrain from doing business with a local company if they have received a negative review.” However, another study – conducted by the University of Colorado Boulder – found that there is a shockingly poor correlation between reviewer ratings and the actual quality of a product or service.
Whether reviewing new electronic items or a local photographer, one thing is for sure: reviews, both positive and negative, have a major effect on businesses. That is why it is so important to be truthful and constructive when having to provide a negative review. Before posting your next negative review, explore tips for being both fair and effective with your words.
Consider if your negative review will contribute anything useful
Before angrily taking to your keyboard, take a few deep breaths and consider the following: will your review actually contribute anything useful, or are you just venting? The purpose of a less-than-desirable review should be to provide constructive feedback that can be used to improve products and services.
If you were having a bad day, or if you were going through challenging circumstances, consider how your reality may be affecting your perception. Writing a negative review to vent frustration about what could have been a one-off situation is almost always a bad idea. Therefore, if you have nothing specific or constructive to say, don’t say it at all.
Stick to the facts 
When leaving a negative review, always stick with facts that can be proven. In addition to being the most helpful way to communicate with a business, doing this could also keep you out of legal trouble. Many businesses across the nation are now beginning to file defamation lawsuits when customers post negative online reviews that bend the truth about products and services.
Experts from Complaints Base recommend that in order to avoid a claim of scamming a business for free products or services, and to avoid legal action, you should always provide verifiable information. State what objectively went wrong, and leave out all emotionally charged language.
Clearly describe the reasons you did not like the product or service 
Stating that a business, product, or service was “bad” or “terrible” is one of the most ineffective ways to deliver a negative review. Both the organization and potential customers will have no idea what the basis is for your comments, and you will not improve anything with your review. Instead, be clear in describing the reasons that you did not enjoy a product or service.
Was it simply not a good fit for your preferences? Was something difficult to use? Was someone in a customer service position discourteous? Using clear language will be helpful to others, and will allow the business to better understand what went wrong.
Provide specific suggestions for product or service improvement
In addition to clearly and factually describing what you did not like about a product or service, don’t forget to offer up a specific solution for improvement. Although it may take you a few minutes to brainstorm this portion of your review, it is an absolute necessity. Since the goal of your review should be to accurately inform others, and to work toward helping a business become better, be prepared to offer suggestions for fixing problem areas.
In addition to these tips, don’t forget to be kind in everything you say. When there are issues with a service or product, you don’t add value in harshly stated words. Just like you, no business is going to be perfect. Keeping this fact in mind can also help you produce high quality negative reviews.