After Publication
So you've submitted your site, been reviewed and it has been published online. Now what?
The first thing you should do is read it over. Make sure the facts are correct. If they aren't, or if they've left something out you think should be included, contact the site. Outline the points you'd like to make and let them respond. It's in everyone's best interest to have the facts straight. And if there are errors, always give the site the benefit of the doubt. People make honest mistakes and you get much more from people when you approach with a smile rather than just railing on them. Trust me.
Having said that, the job of a review site is to give both facts and opinions. You may not agree with their opinions, but you need to accept this as a possible drawback. Whatever comes from your review, you have much more to gain than to lose, no matter how the review comes out. As mentioned at the start, we send sales to just about every site we list--even those at the bottom of the pile. You may not like your review. You may not like your score. What matters, though, is what the users think. If all the facts are straight, they are able to make educated decisions on their own--and they do, time and time again.
Another thing to keep in mind is that it's usually better to get reviewed than to wait for a big change in your site that may be a couple months down the road. Sure, it can probably make a difference in your score, but you're missing out on sales in the meantime. Nine times out of ten webmasters underestimate how long it's going to take for that update that's "just around the bend" to actually be completed. Just submit and get the process started.
Also keep in mind that a review is not the end of things. It's just the beginning. Review sites will update your reviews as time and aspects change. At Rabbits, we are happy to update a review after six months or if there have been major changes to your site. Ask if there is a minimum wait for updates at the other review sites you're submitting to. A smart webmaster will leave a reminder in their calendar to hit us up when six months passes as you always get a boost of traffic when you get updated, not to mention (usually) a higher score. If you're not happy with the review and any answer you got after writing to discuss it, keep a cool head, sit back and relax, and figure out how to turn negatives into positives a few months down the line.
Conclusion
Get reviewed. Seriously. I've been on both sides, as an affiliate rep and on the review side, and I've seen the money even a bad review can bring in over time. Reviews can be a great source of traffic, traffic you wouldn't have access to otherwise. Use whatever cash from sales that comes in to better your site and improve your review going forward. If you have problems, just communicate with the sites. Most problems can be resolved immediately and many more get solved over time. Review sites are long-term business partners so work on that relationship and you'll maximize your return with what are often some of the best partners you can find online today.
Special thanks to Vegas Ken from TheBestPorn and Stewart from WebmasterScore for their input!