Hey Darlene, I completely agree with you. So far, I've only asked one member here to review a page/post for me and he did a great job. He told me what needed changing and made some suggestions. He also told me the good stuff and why its 'good'.

As a newbie, I would like to hear both because both are useful to me at the stage and will always be useful to me. Also, I prefer to PM someone instead of putting it in a discussion. That's just me.

Yuwn xxx

This is exactly the way I want people to critique me also no sugar coating please. You made some very good points here.

I normally tend to agree with what you write Darlene! But, I actually mostly disagree with you here... you're dead right that in terms of improving your website your 'help' list is more useful and that constructive criticism is what is needed. But, I think your list of 'hinders' are also useful too. Maybe they aren't for you, but I know they are for me and a lot of others. I don't think it's necessarily wholly a matter of sugar coating or reassuring either, but I want to know what's 'right' about my website as well as what's wrong with it. When I leave feedback I try to offer both kinds ( both helps and hinders in your book! haha)- I'll try to say what I liked about their site and what I think needs improving. That's what I want to hear too! But, I suppose we all want different kinds of feedback so I guess it's probably best to specify exactly what you want to know... Some people still won't listen though! :)

It might be best to gain some credibility in a particular area before critiquing somebody else's website, and then keep your comments limited to that area. I've seen favorable comments on other websites where the site is pretty, but structurally poor, and in terms of generating business may be ineffectual.

I totally agree with you Darlene... but, some people are not ready for constructive criticism. I remember few months ago a member asked me to comment on his site. Being, honest like you do... I gave him what I thought was good for his site. You know what happen he was mad and said "that is not what I'm asking"...Nenita

There are many ways ways a site is viewed... It reminds me of a saying... that "beauty is in the eyes of the beholder." If one does not have experience and has not seen a lot of sites, then they may not have a critical eye and may actually find it to be a very good site... Also, the one critiquing, may have a style bias in look or content... does their opinion mean you should necessarily change something because they've built more sites than you? I believe for myself, I try to use memorable large photos to help craft the content and guide visitors through my site. It works for me.... Does that mean it will work for your site? It is this way... we each (hopefully) have our own unique style and brand. We all write content for a specific audience(niche). What if the person you have asked to critique it is not your audience? then what? There are so many variables in one's answer. All I am saying is, if someone says, good job! it may be that they actually like it and see nothing wrong with it. If someone says, you need to start over... yet they confess they know nothing about your niche, then what? I am just saying, be appreciative that someone would take the time to look at your site because you asked. You will not always get the answers you are looking for... but not for the reasons you you may have listed above. :) I'm just saying....

I'm 100% in agreement, Darlene, however it's highly dependent on the individual. I also think that for a lot of people it's a "love me, love my dog" scenario and they don't really want to hear someone else's critical "opinion", which after all, is all that it is, they perhaps more want encouragement or to be reassured? It's why I normally don't do site reviews, it's not a question of "sugar coating" with me, I tell people they have to sign my "lick your own wounds" waiver before I'll even glance at their site. :P I also won't do feedback on certain areas, such as "content", as I don't feel qualified to judge, in say the way that I know Diva B. would be. :) R. x

Hi Darlene
this is an post right to the point!! What you describe is the definition of feedback, this way we can learn a lot more when feddback is given, also the page,site ,training or something else is viewed through another eye ,other view,meaning

Great post!!!

Hi Darlene
You pipped me at the post on this one. This was something I wrote about last year https://my.wealthyaffiliate.com/bis/blog/what-feedback-do-you-want-decide-before-you-ask and was going to revisit it again. Now I won't because you've done a good job.

But you know a lot of people are not like you. You like to know what people think, but plenty of people don't.

I would also say that some people are prone to ask for feedback before trying to improve some things for themselves.

Thanks for sharing your view.

Excellent point Darlene. I will keep that in mind when I give my feedback. Sometimes we just don't want to be uncomplimentary, you know.
However, I have pm'd members when I had suggestions for improvements.