Every review published on JLV Blog follows a consistent process. This page explains exactly how we test products and arrive at our ratings.
Testing Process
Before writing a single word, we install and use the product. For hosting reviews, we set up a real site, run performance benchmarks, and test support response times over multiple contact attempts. For themes and templates, we install them on a test WordPress or Joomla instance, configure them to a realistic production state, and evaluate documentation and support.
Our Rating Scale (0–10)
Products are rated on a 0–10 scale across multiple sub-criteria, then given a weighted overall score. The criteria vary by product type:
Hosting Reviews
- Performance — page load times, server response, uptime record
- Ease of use — control panel, onboarding, site management
- Support — response time, quality of answers, channel availability
- Value — price vs. features vs. competitors
- Features — SSL, backups, staging, email, developer tools
Theme & Template Reviews
- Design quality — visual polish, typography, layout
- Performance — page weight, Core Web Vitals
- Ease of customisation — builder compatibility, options depth
- Documentation & support — quality of docs, support response
- Value — price, update frequency, license terms
Plugin & Tool Reviews
- Feature completeness — does it do what it claims?
- Ease of use — UI, onboarding, learning curve
- Performance impact — effect on site speed
- Support & updates — activity, bug fix speed
- Value — free vs. paid, price relative to alternatives
Rating Definitions
- 9.0–10 — Exceptional. Best in class.
- 8.0–8.9 — Very good. Recommended with minor reservations.
- 7.0–7.9 — Good. Solid choice for the right use case.
- 6.0–6.9 — Average. Has notable weaknesses.
- Below 6.0 — Below average or not recommended.
Transparency
We disclose when a product provides us with a complimentary license for review. Complimentary access does not influence ratings — the same criteria apply regardless of how we obtained the product.
Questions about a specific review? Contact us.