Day 27: Do We Need A Better SiteFeedback Function?
I hadn't originally intended to create another blog post so soon after my last one, but I thought it might be useful to get my thoughts out there on a topic I've seen come up a few times.
The SiteFeedback function is, honestly, not ideal.
The purpose is great; a place to get reviews of your latest posts without having to drop links to your site everywhere.
But I'm just not sure it really works as well as it could.
For example, we've all received SiteFeedback messages that mean well but are just not helpful at all.
Comments like 'There's not much you can improve' or 'just keep up the great work'.
A lot of people seem hesitant to actually offer any criticism, and that means that issues with your site may end up sitting there for months.
I know, looking back, that most of my early content was not great.
However when I look back at the feedback I've received, the messages were usually highly positive and didn't really let me know that I was doing anything wrong (even though I was doing A LOT wrong).
The problem is that when you submit your site to get feedback, there's no guarantee that whoever offers you the feedback is going to know what they're talking about.
That's not their fault, it's just as a result of the fact that we're (rightly) encouraged to take part in the give and take system at WA from almost straightaway.
While this is good in some ways, it also means is that there's a huge mix of experience levels within the SiteFeedback function.
Because of these factors, I know there are a lot of people who either:
Use SiteFeedback but don't gain anything from it,
OR,
choose not to use SiteFeedback but in turn don't get the chance to help others out.
What is the answer? Is there a better place to go when we want good quality reviews of our work?
Didn't mean to go on for so long but there we go! Let me know what you think.
Recent Comments
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I agree with your observations, Benjamin.
You may want to consider replying to the person who gave the feedback. Some people are not yet aware of what "feedback" means here at WA. Perhaps point them to training on this so they can understand and improve.
Here are two examples and you can find others via WA search: Site Feedback and Constructive Criticism Website Feedback Questions ~Jude
I completely understand what you’re saying. When I offered my first site feedback I was nervous and felt like I was too new to even have an opinion that would be valuable.
It’s an uncomfortable situation to be in.
Not sure what the answer is...maybe only members above a certain rank???
I look forward to hearing more feedback on this issue.
Kyle Ann
Yeah, it's a tough call. It's important to get people engaged and active straightaway, but you don't want to overwhelm them by giving them a task they don't feel up for.
Great point and I suppose it is the luck of the draw on who gets to review your site. I have had some great reviews that have offered me advice and I appreciate that. I like to be told if I can improve my content or what mistakes I have made. So it all comes down to honesty and relying on each other. So hopefully everyone will do the right thing, but unfortunately, I can't see that happening. There is always someone in any system or one apple in every tree.
The only way I think you may get a fairer result is to submit two requests at the same time so that two reviewers will read the exact same content. Then you may find out who is fair dinkum and who is not. It may mean more work in reviewing others work to get more credits but That is the only thing I can think of at this point in time.
That’s good suggestion! Sometimes I only submit one request but end up with two pieces of feedback- do you ever get that?
When I use Sitefeedback I like to give my honest opinion. I always try to balance it out and point out the good and give constructive criticism.
Not many people are comfortable with giving a 'negative' feedback or as you quite rightly say are not in the position to see where improvements can be made and I believe that's where you get the generalized comments such as 'Great Site'.
Thankfully the feedback I received has always been helpful.
The same complaint is often made about site comments. Kyle has mentioned time and time again as has many other members that you should read the post and engage with it.
The same should be done with SiteFeedback. Look to see what they are asking feedback on - there are different options one can choose - and base your feedback on that.
At the end of the day, I think Sitefeedback is a great tool. It's us who are providing the feedback that need to do put more effort into our responses and not just respond to gain credit points.
Thanks for your detailed response. It's good that there are people like you who will be honest with their feedback, but unfortunately you are often the minority.
Don't get me wrong, I have received some great feedback on my site through the function, I just feel we could all benefit from being less polite and (in the long run) more helpful by being honest.
Of course, you want to do this is a way that isn't mean or cold but constructive. People will be able to tell when you are pulling them out on something for the sake of it and when you are being genuine.
I appreciate your point; the issue isn't with SiteFeedback but with some of the responses.
If we really want to help each other out we need to be brutally honest - in a nice way. :-)
Thanks for the offer Carl. I would be more than happy to get in touch with you.
(My post wasn't just about me though, it was about everyone who wants some good feedback on their site.)
Some people just don't want to hurt some ones feelings. They just don't seem to realize that they are not doing anybody any favors not speaking up and giving the right feedback that they should. Maybe with you and I chatting back and forth here will help everyone out at least we can hope so right.
You're completely right Carl. The best way is to show others how it should be done by leading the way yourself. Of course, we should always make sure out criticism is constructive (that's the important word).
I think it would be great if site feedback could be given by more experienced people. Say both you and I have started one week ago, then perhaps my feedback won't exactly help you much if I don't even know what I am doing... Lol :D
That's similar to what I was thinking. That's not to say that someone with 1 week of experience can't help you out though!
In fact, they might even be a good person to hear from now and then.
When we give each other feedback we think in terms of SEO, SERPs, keywords, site design etc, but a new member might be able to give you a more honest 'real' feedback that is similar to what your general audience may be thinking.
But obviously you want feedback from the experts too, so it's a tough call.
Thanks for your input!
It only occurred to me as I was typing, otherwise I would have included it in my original post.
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I can relate to your comments as I have not used site-feed- back for some time but something keeps ticking in the back of my brain," I need to get back to site feedback and site content to learn these skills of how to review the positive/negative aspects of another's site." Lets keep learning from each other and I am sure we will find out the reason why it exists here in the end.
Great points Alan. We could all do with brushing up on our feedback skills!