Critic
Simple form so your customers or visitors can quickly complete their review.
Display a total review summary (optional) with actual reviews below.
Authors can respond to reviews just like a threaded comment.
Fully integrated with WordPress. Moderate, spam, or delete reviews just like comments.
View all and close reviews on the post edit screen.
Easy to configure options to customize your look.
Uses the native comments system for easy administering.
Boost your rankings and click-thru rates in Google.
The consumers of today are more diligent and do their research before making a purchase online. They want to read what other people have to say about a product or service before pulling out their wallet.
79% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations (source BrightLocal) and many won’t purchase something unless they read a 3rd-party review.
Without a review system on your website, you’re losing sales.
Key Benefits
- User reviews are proven to drive sales and increase conversions
- Increases search engine organic click-thru rates
- User-generated content exponentially helps build SEO-rich content for your website
- Creates a channel for constructive criticism and suggestions of your products
- Reduction in complaints and returns as reviews answer questions not always included in product descriptions
Features
- Built with WordPress best practices (uses a custom comment type)
- Moderate, spam, or delete reviews just like comments
- Require users to be logged in before submitting a review
- Post author or admin can respond directly to each review
- Rating stars use a web font (instead of images) to allow custom colors and for retina/hdpi support
- Works in tandem with the native WordPress comment system (requires minor code & css edits)
- Basic styles provided to allow flexibility with other themes
- Includes Google Structured Data (json-ld) for stellar SEO results
- Ability to close reviews anytime on individual pages/posts
- Emails sent to author when new review submitted and/or pending approval
- Lots of WordPress actions and filters for developers to make custom modifications
- Allow Users to change stars rating (NEW in 1.4.0!)
- Allow admin to edit any review star rating in WordPress dashboard (NEW in 1.4.0!)
As you can see, adding a professional review and rating system to your WordPress website can yield significant benefits. What are you waiting for? Get your own review system up-and-running today!
Background
Critic was originally built to fill a need in our Marketplace (no other quality plugin existed). Each item needed customer reviews so sellers could receive feedback and potential customers could feel confident with their purchase.
Our goal was to make it as seamless with WordPress as possible. We did this by creating a custom comment type (no additional database tables, etc) which leverages existing comment-like functionality.
After successfully using it since January 2013, we felt it was time to share it with the world so others could benefit from it too. Hope you enjoy it!
Disclaimer: Screenshots above are from Vantage 4.0. The look on your site will not match exactly as shown above (of course unless you use Vantage 4.0). We’ve done the best we could to integrate with most themes, however, we can’t test against them all. You may need to add some custom css so the reviews are more styled to match your current theme.
Does this work in tandem with WordPress comments?
Yes, however you’ll need to paste a line of code into two of your theme’s template files. You’ll also probably wan to setup jQuery tabs similar to how we use it in our Marketplace. This requires some web development knowledge.
Can I use this plugin instead of the WordPress comment system?
Yes. In fact, we recommend it since it’s the easiest to setup and requires no custom code.
Where can I see a demo?
We use Critic in our Marketplace so check out any item and click on the “Reviews” tab. It uses a slightly older version though so there might be some differences.
Will everything be styled perfectly to match my existing theme?
Probably not. It includes some basic styling but we aren’t able to test it against all the thousands of WordPress themes out there. If you’re comfortable with css, it’s easy to tweak.
I’m a developer. Are there hooks built in?
Yep. You can even completely replace the reviews form with your own (just like the comment_form())
- Upload the .zip file via the WordPress plugins admin page
- Activate the plugin and configure the options
= 1.4.1 = May 17, 2021
* Fixed plugin files and directories permissions
= 1.4.0 = December 2, 2020
* Allow Users to change stars rating
* Allow admin to edit review star rating in wp-admin
* Do not allow empty stars ratings
* Validate title and description on review form submit
* Updated Raty lib
* Added translation for Russian language
= 1.3.4 = January 8 2018
* Fixed Review styling is not looking good in mobile view.
* Fixed Succeeding unregistered user could not make a review.
= 1.3.3 = November 2 2017
* Prevented sending moderation emails to post’s author unless he can edit others posts.
= 1.3.2 = May 18, 2017
* Removed debugging code that changed the comment type on edit.
* Removed ‘set_review_rating’ action from the ‘wp_insert_comment’ hook when it’s actually done (to avoid duplicate calls)
* Added migration script for Vantage reviews. Now since Vantage 4.1.0 and Critic 1.3.2 it is possible to migrate legacy Vantage reviews to Critic data model (on the Admin => Vantage => Setup Guide page).
= 1.3.1 = Mar 11, 2017
* Show review count column in wp-admin text is missing
* Losing ratingValue when review has been answered
* Notice: Undefined variable: output in class-critic-admin.php on line 648
* Updated Structured-Data module, fixed incompatibility with Vantage 4+
= 1.3.0 = Feb 23, 2017
* update raty.js lib from 2.4.5 to 2.7.1.
* use web fonts instead of images to easily change color and for retina/hdpi support.
* deprecated microformats in favor of json-ld for Google search.
* added reviews meta box to wp-admin edit post/page.
* fixed wp-admin text so it’s review-related and not comment.
* added option to choose star color.
* added review summary box which includes avg rating and star progress bar.
* added reviews admin counter column to “All Posts”, etc pages.
* fixed issue where comment review counters on the edit screens were incorrect.
* updated the review form so it’s more in line with the standard WordPress comments form.
* better back and front end author response handling.
* show recent reviews in wp-admin on post edit page.
* allow author to respond only once to each review.
* added missing moderate review email template.
* updated approved review email template.
= 1.2.0 = Dec 8, 2014
* fixed PHP notices
* fixed Using class methods as object methods instead of static
* fixed Post meta values missing if moderation enabled
* fixed Rich snippets and G Webmasters.
* changed Critic shows form when Allow comments is disabled. If comments are closed, but reviews open – reviews form will shown. WP die message will shown on attempts to posts review when reviews closed, or to post comment if comments closed for given post.
* added Classipress integration (not styling, but only functionality)
* added reply to review feature. Only authors can reply to reviews and only once.
* added option to enable Article item definition for rich snippets.
= 1.1.1 = Dec 12, 2013
* fixed critical errors for compatibility with php 5.2. used self:: vs static::
* fixed wp_list_comments callback error so reviews display correctly
* added text so reviewer sees status for review under moderation
* added new text string on edit review screen button
* added text replacement support to WordPress 3.8
= 1.1 = Dec 11, 2013
* fixed several php notices
* fixed issue where regular threaded comments weren’t being nested
* added new hooks which allow a custom review form
* added new sidebar module that show breakdown of ratings by star
* added user meta to hold review data across all blogs
* only store parent reviews so we can support review replies later
= 1.0 = Jan 10, 2013
* initial internal release
One review of “Critic”
It is only possible to make 1 (one) review to each listing. After that it is closed. I have asked for help for more than a month, but nothing happens.
http://www.kirkepartner.dk
Comments (100)
Wow. Much expected one.
But can you tell me, This will support Author rating also?
can it work with clipper, i just want the stores to be rated
Not at this time. We eventually plan on adding support to our themes.
Utility of the plugin to store pages, will really make it attractive.
please please, if your going to make it work with clipper my advise is to make it just for stores only>>> not every single coupon on the site or anything else, just the stores, you do that and i garentuee u will make some sales
I am in for this one. Let us know your plans ?
Is this the same as what vantage has..? Nice to see appthemes making plugins. It seems more efficient to be able to pick and choose which plugins to use since many of the themes share the same features.
I think two plugins that would peak the interest of subscribers here are:
– A solid forum with advanced features similar to those of popular sites like yelp, slickdeals, etc. Forums are highly instrumental to the efficacy of these sites and the current ones on appthemes just won’t cut it.
– A badge system for users to show their activities and awards/reputation. Every popular site has some similar mechanism for its users and it increases the stickiness and quality of the site.
Great job!
Can someone reply to my question? It would be nice to receive some support.
I too would like an answer to this question.
Will this support Author Rating????
Hi!
Could you please tell me, how to translate this plugin? Just found a .pot file. Don’t know how to made a .po or .mo file
Hi,
You need to use POEDIT software. And start translating.
BR
Bartek
Thanks, but how should the translated file be named?
de_DE?
Yes, de_DE is correct, in my case pl_PL
Hi,
it doesn’t work. Tried to rename and load into several path, but nothing happens.
Did anyone else translated this plugin?
If you want, I will share the german translation.
@sprexx, these instructions are for translating themes, but it gives you an idea of how to use poedit. Thanks.
Done, but it don’t works. I had put the files into /plugins/critic/languages path and nothing happened. At the moment the files are named as de_DE.po and de_DE.mo.
@sprexx you must name the language files critic-de_DE.mo and critic-de_DE.po
Hi, great apps, please let me know this app will work with vantage theme?
Thanks
Hi, Yes it will works. It works almost with all wordpress themes.
Hi @bartex24pl Thanks for quick response, i installed but it’s not working with my vantage theme, when i tried to post a review there showing this error (Sorry, comments are closed for this item.)
this is my website address http://punjabicenter.com/ you can try to post a review
please help me if you can
thanks with regards
Hi @bartex24pl Thanks for quick response, i installed but it’s not working with my vantage theme, when i tried to post a review there showing this error (Sorry, comments are closed for this item.)
this is my website address http://punjabicenter.com/ you can try to post a review
please help me if you can
thanks with regards
Make sure that you have enabled comments on post in WP Settings -> Discussions and also check your posts that comments are enabled.
@sprexx you must name the language files critic-de_DE.mo and critic-de_DE.po
Thanks, but i am not developer what was that, can tell me let more how i can fix that
with regards
That also doesn’t work. I am a little bit confuse. Could I send somebody my translation for testing it?
Yes sure you can,
Hi.
Does it have a widget to show the top5 (best rated listings), in Vantage?
If not, is there any plan? It would be awesome.
i would like to know if i can use this plugin for jobroller so that u can judge job seekers and job listers – offers/resumes???
@omaga There is a built in sidebar script but this is not fully configured with widget function which means there is no widget at the moment, but easy / possible to setup with a little php knowledge.
@Benny I am using it with classipress after a few modifications and it works through out the standard wordpress commenting system so if offers / resumes works the same way i would think it should work with a little customization.
thx, i will give it a try then
is this working with vantage?
Is this plugin compatible with Classipress?
Only in the sales pitch, it says that it works with ALL wordpress themes, then in the FAQ, it says that it’s not compatible with Apthemes themes.
Which statement are we to believe before investing in this plugin?
Hello Appthemes! This plugin is enabled for Classipress 3.3.1?
There are a demo of this application?
grateful
As mentioned above, we eventually plan to add support for AppThemes themes. Thanks.
this plugin only works to rate a single post or page. IT DOES NOT RATE THE AUTHOR. It does not stay as a feedback score/rating with the author. IN OTHER WORDS.. IS NOT A REAL (useful) rating system/feedback system.
SAVE YOUR MONEY. PLUGIN IS NOT WORTH IT IN MY OPINION!
It is a great plugin if you use it for what it is, and it is a plugin used to rate posts which means it works great for any site selling products and want reviews or feedback on their product. An option/tool that many sites use these days as people like to read other thoughts before they purchase.
The same way as we read these reviews before we bought critic.
How would I go about disabling/removing the “Title” field?
@jeremiafroyland Please note that support for the plugin can be found here, thanks.
Please explain how/where reviews are stored in the database, and the whole bit about replacing the inherent comments system “no data is lost and you can switch back at any time”.
If you deactivate the plugin, what happens to existing reviews?
@kilwag, reviews are stored in the wp_comments table with all other comments. We use the “comment_type” column to differentiate the critic reviews from regular comments.
Replacing the native comments system just turns off regular comment submissions and uses reviews instead.
Deactivating the plugin doesn’t do anything with the reviews. They still exist in the database. You can always use a WordPress backup plugin (or straight db dump) to export the reviews.
Good to know. I wanted to be sure the “critic reviews” could be retained if I decided to stop using the plugin in the future. I guess I didn’t pay enough attention to “uses a custom comment type”
Under features – “Require users to be logged in” Is that optional?
Also At the time I’m writing this, none of the reviews in the marketplace appear to be working. All the plugins show ratings, as if they’ve been reviewed, but when you go to read the reviews it says there are none yet.
Seems a little sketchy that you can’t read any of the support forums unless you are a customer already. The “join today” links to the front page with no way to actually join, unless it’s hidden somewhere. It would be nice to know what kind of potential problems I might incur before I risk spending money on a plugin.
Specifically, the answer to this issue in the forum would prevent me from buying this plugin:
http://forums.appthemes.com/critic/post-meta-values-missing-if-62759/
Any response from the sales team?
@Kilwag, it’s currently an open issue with our dev team. We should have it fixed in the next release.
Hi
Is it possible to show this plugin only if the user is logged in?
Thanks
B
No, reviews will still be displayed. There is an option to prevent non-logged in users from submitting reviews, however.
This is not working with my vantage theme. Please help me…
If you prefer to use both comments and reviews, you’ll need to manually place this code in your theme’s page.php and single.php files.
………………………………
I use Critic plugin for ClassiPress theme. I want to use both comments and reviews. please guide me paste the this code into theme.
Thank you!
The plugin shows me everytime taht i should update it. But just one click after the update process, it shows the same message again.
I have the same problem
I am looking for a comment / rating system for classipress specifically for the ads, is this for that purpose, or just for the pages / posts? I am looking for a comment / rating system only for the ads in classipress. Or am I just not understanding this correctly, is it for pages / posts / ads as well? Please advise.
Thank you
Brian