Short of direct conversations with IT peers, reviews on third-party review sites can serve as one of the most valuable resources for IT teams when it comes to choosing what software would best suit an organization’s needs.
IT pros would be wise to give a nod to the genuine feedback that can be gleaned from reputable sites such as PeerSpot, SoftwareReviews, G2, and Capterra when sourcing solutions.
Checking in with more than one site may provide additional knowledge gained based on the particular criteria and filtering available on each source. A thorough site review can help decision makers discover software that is:
- Widely used
- Used by peers in similar industries
- Highly rated
- Part of a larger, reputable portfolio of data protection solutions
Insights from Verified Reviewers is Invaluable
“Verified end-user feedback from several third-party sources can help zero in on your options even before trialing the software or scheduling a demo, which can sometimes be a bit premature in the evaluation or decision-making journey for some IT teams,” said Joe Eginger, Associate Director, Sales, Fortra. “Feedback, particularly from reviewers with the same or similar use cases, or even in the same industry, can help key decision makers drill down further on a solution’s applicability as they move further down the process and towards a more focused trial or demo.”
Focusing efforts on sites that have proven themselves over the test of time and by thousands of peers will be time well spent, whether looking for Managed File Transfer (MFT) solutions or other software.
“We encourage using these sites as another valuable resource, as the opinions given on them are by users already immersed in the product and they express real-life experiences – whether positive or even negative – that potential users of the solution should be aware of,” added Eginger. “While one of our MFT experts can walk you through a product tour and answer questions about the solution, reading examples of how your peers actually put the product through its paces for their use cases is invaluable.”
While noting this report is from G2, its 2021 report on Software Buyer Behavior showed that 86% of buyers consulted peer review sites when purchasing software solutions.
“While one of our MFT experts can walk you through a product tour and answer questions about the solution, reading examples of how your peers use the product for their use cases and how easy the software is to get up and running is important information to have on hand,” added Eginger.
Sources Beyond Reviews for Software Evaluation
Of course, other resources should also be consulted when on a mission to select software, such as:
- Case studies: Provide an inside look at how peers are using the solution
- Product videos: See how processes are actually conducted and learn about new uses for the solution.
- Webinars: Live and on-demand webinars led by subject matter experts can be invaluable resources to get additional ROI on your solution.
- Blogs/guides: Reader-friendly resources to tap into for the latest information on how secure file transfer is being used, tips to maximize ROI, and to get a peek at industry trends.
Can You Really Trust Reviews?
While it is always wise to be a bit skeptical about rave or terrible reviews, the trusted third-party sites noted here have processes in place to help weed out those more dubious software reviews. And the U.S. Federal Trade Commission has also weighed in with a few considerations when it comes to utilizing reviews.
- How similar are reviewers' use cases to yours? If vastly different a strong review one way or the other might not be a deciding factor.
- Is the review overly glowing or grossly negative? These polar extremes can be a bit of a red flag and should often be taken with a grain of salt.
- Stars are just one factor to consider. Remember those restaurant reviews of one-star ratings of a dish not even served at an establishment? See what details are in those 5-star and 1-star reviews before seeing if it adds to your knowledge bank about a solution.
And be sure to check each site’s FAQ section or quality assurance section to see how they assure the validity of each review they receive.
Return the Favor: Post Your Own Review
If you’ve ever benefitted from reading reviews before your software purchase, be sure to return the favor to help out your peers on a similar journey. )
Ready to Go Beyond Reviews? Book a Demo.
Once you’ve sorted through an array of customer reviews it’s time for a demo to see how GoAnywhere performs. Let an MFT expert walk you through the encryption, automation, and robust functionality of GoAnywhere with a demonstration.
