Think about the last time a review actually helped you decide something. It probably wasn’t the one that said “Five stars, amazing!” It was the one that said the office ran forty minutes late every time, or that the lawyer returned every call within a day, or that the dentist explained exactly why a crown was needed and what it would cost. Specifics are what make a review useful. Here’s how to write one that the next person will thank you for.
Say what you went in for — in general terms
“A routine physical,” “a second opinion on knee surgery,” “a landlord dispute,” “a child’s first cleaning.” Give readers enough context to know whether your experience applies to them. You don’t need to share private medical or legal details, and it’s usually wiser not to.
Describe what actually happened
The parts of an experience people care about tend to be the same across professions:
- Getting in. How long did it take to get an appointment or a first consultation? Was it easy to reach someone by phone?
- Time and attention. Did they listen? Did you feel rushed?
- Explanations. Did you understand your options, the plan and the reasons for it?
- Follow-through. Results, callbacks, paperwork, next steps — did things happen when they said they would?
- Money. Were costs explained up front? Any billing surprises? (For lawyers: was the fee arrangement clear and in writing?)
- The staff. Front desk, nurses, paralegals — they’re part of the experience too.
Separate the person from the system
Some frustrations aren’t the professional’s doing: an insurance denial, a court delay, a hospital parking garage. It’s fine to mention them, but say so — “not the doctor’s fault, but…” — so your rating reflects the person you’re reviewing.
Be fair, even when you’re angry
If something went badly, describe what happened rather than labeling the person. “I waited three weeks for test results and had to call four times” is more persuasive than “incompetent,” and it’s fair to the professional, who can reply. Serious concerns about misconduct belong with the licensing authority — for New York physicians, the Department of Health’s Office of Professional Medical Conduct; for lawyers, the Attorney Grievance Committee — and a review isn’t a substitute for that.
Update it if things change
If a problem gets resolved, or a long treatment ends better (or worse) than it started, come back and edit your review. Reviews that evolve are some of the most honest ones on any site.
Ready? Find the professional in our doctors, dentists or lawyers listings and use the review button on their profile. Our review guidelines cover the few rules we enforce.
