How to Give Site Feedback that Really Makes a Difference.
Now shall we begin?
I just finished using the 'site feedback' tool in WA for the first time. Well what did I think?....Hum let's see how to put this in the most PC way possible. Let's say I was highly disappointed after the entire process. So much so that I felt it necessary to blog about it. Why?
First let me say the tool itself is not the problem. It is potentially a great resource within WA for site feedback if you get a good, honest and thorough review. And that is IF. Here in lies the problem.
The brave souls who offer up their sites for feedback are putting themselves out there. Potentially feeding meat to the wolves per say all in the hope of having an objective review from a stranger. Someone to fill in as the average web-surfing individual that will visit the new site. What they want is detail and lots of it. Help me be better is what they are saying to you. But is anyone listening?
What they get instead may be the minimum 250 word 'feedback' with limited detail and a 'Good luck with your site...it looks great' closing statement. And for those who write detailed and long reviews, like myself, we are very annoyed because we get 1 credit for awesomeness feedback while the other person also gets 1 credit for not even trying.
Really?
I think those of us who offer feedback have a responsibility to take time to actually dig deep. Help our our fellow WA members and hope that the same level of energy comes back our way when we put our own site up for feedback.The person who worked hard to create their site, be it their first web-site ever or their 5th deserves so much more than a minimum effort response for their maximum effort site.
It's Not Christmas But You Can Still Give
So in the spirit of giving I have created a 'site feedback' cheat sheet...feedback for dummies...or cliff notes for the lazy uninspired. This outline would work for any site that asks for general feedback about the entire site or just feedback for one area. In order to do this correctly you will go through a large portion of the site 3 times.
Steps
- Get a notebook and on three separate pages or separate areas write:
- Overall look, Navigation, Content
- Do your first pass look at the website. This is your surface pass. Take notes in the 'Overall look' section of your paper.
- How does the branding (ie logo) look? Does it fit the niche?
- How does the website look? Clutter, too much white space, to dark, too much color, do the fonts match, what do the images look like and are they sized correctly, do action buttons pop, are there too many or not enough columns or images on the page
- How does the website feel? Is it boring, fun, scientific, etc
- Do your second pass on the website. This is your pass to see how the website functions. Take notes in the 'Navigation' section of your paper.
- Click on links, images, page titles, read more tags, etc and see if they go where they should and if the path makes logical sense.
- Locate and follow internal and external links and make sure any videos actually play. Are any links missing?
- Do your third pass on the website. This will be your most narrow view of the site for feedback on content only. If the site has a ton of content I suggest you review only the following pages: home page, about me, 2-3 blogs. Take notes in the 'Content' section of your paper.
- Is the content good information? Does it give the reader what you would expect to gain by reading the piece? Is it a good length? Do images match the content?
- Tone. Is the author's style casual or serious? Do they engage the audience.
- Is content clear? Are any parts hard to understand or could they be better organized?
- Check grammar and spelling
It's Really That Simple
You DO NOT have to be a great writer, editor, web designer to follow these steps. It takes all the guesswork out of what to look for and what to comment on. Remember to start with the positive first not just all ideas for improvement. This is how I personally organize my feedback but I would like to hear how other people provide site feedback and your experiences with the site feedback tool.
Thanks for reading...and get out there and help your fellow WA members with AWESOME SITE FEEDBACK!
Recent Comments
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I also appreciate Veronica sharing your post. I have been using site comments and have been hesitant to put my website out there for comment as I did feel I was putting myself out there!!
Thank you for the list of steps as a guide especially for new ones who are required in the courses to make comments and ask for them as well.
Carol
I appreciate Veronica sharing your post in her post!
I too get frustrated that I spend time trying to give what I consider to be feedback that includes the good stuff and then suggestions for improvement, but when it's my turn I generally get short feedback and nothing to offer me by way of possible improvements.
Maybe people don't want to offend? But how else are we to learn to be better at what we do?
Thanks for sharing your thought and recommended steps!
Cheers Gina
Wow, very good suggestions! I have not used Site Feedback at all yet even though I have been here for a long time and use Site Comments often.
I was always a bit overwhelmed at the Feedback concept. With your step by step instructions it doesn't sound so bad now.
I think it is important to give positive as well as critical feedback. Some seem to lean only one way or the other (at least in their comments to posts that is discussed). While I don't think all positive is the correct course I also don't think NO positive is the correct course either! Some seem to think the positive is not necessary . I disagree. If something is REALLY great about a site and it catches our attention due to how awesome it is, then we should tell the owner of the site. Doing more of something right is just as important as correcting something that is wrong!
Thanks!!!
Jessica
Jessica so true on the power of positivity! Always give positive FIRST. Start with...I like how you do this keep it up.
:)
Good afternoon Jenee,
Now, this is what I call a super attack plan. It is so thorough and even for people like me, struggling with the technical stuff, understandable.It is very obvious I can and have to improve on all fronts.Well done!
Greetings from the south of Spain, Taetske
So glad it was helpful to you! I did not have a technical background before joining WA either so you are definitely not alone.
I got my computer end 2013 against my wish and will. I only used it for emails/photos and following Masterclasses or Summits on subjects of my interest.
Now look at me, I have made 2 websites with the big help of my better half, recently promoted by me to Technical Manager. I do most of the writing and the socializing and he the plugins, banners, links etc.etc. I know how I want something to look but then can not do it.
All the best, Taetske
Wow! You are thorough!! Thanks so much for this. Now I can start doing site feedback. And thanks for referring us to this post, Veronica @VeronicasLuv
WHOA!!! I think your post should be included in the Certification, Jenne! Earlier today, I read someone's post about her disappointment with using Site Feedback, and it's definitely not the the first time it's been discussed.
I think the main issue is that people either don't know how to leave appropriate feedback or they are just too lazy. I've been fortunate enough to have received insightful feedback, but every now and then, a "your site looks great" creeps into the mix.
I appreciate you sharing your insight. Hopefully more people will read this.
Veronica thank you for reading my post! I am so glad you feel it is valuable information for the WA community. :) I just hope some people pick up a few tips.
I was actually thinking about your post earlier this morning, Jenne, because I couldn't remember if I had added it to my favorites! I didn't so I'm so glad you responded!
I think your post is one of those gems that may be overlooked. If I have your permission, I'd like to share your post with the community. Perhaps it will reach more people.
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Thanks, JHall1, for a post, I found it very helpful. just completed my first website feedback!
Please advise how I access another site to critique.
Thanks, Ossie