The Importance of Site Feedback (Not to be confused with Site Comments)
Hello fellow WA'ers. Over the past couple of days I've been getting some feedback on my site which has led me to make a few changes, and come to some realizations at the same time. So I thought I'd write a quick post on the importance of Site Feedback.
If your part of the SAC as I am we are all quite focused on writing and getting Site Comments on our posts. But we should also be seeking out feedback on websites. You can use the Site Feedback tool for this, or if you know an experienced marketer you can seek feedback there as well.
When giving site feedback, be honest and offer useful advice. I have requested site feedback on several occasions where I just get a canned response. I would rather someone tells me all the things they think are wrong with my site, then just say Oh, nice site. And also take time to read the content and offer feedback on that as well.
Here are some things I've learned that have been helpful to me in this process that I thought I'd share with you.
- If your website is young, less than 3-4 months old, don't' expect to find your posts anywhere near page 1 in Google. In fact, just put on your blinders and simply focus on your low competition keywords and writing quality content.
- Make sure that the information you are offering in your posts is accurate and not misleading. For example, there are some aspects of the WA Free Starter Account that can be easily misinterpreted, such as free training lessons, which are limited to 10.
- Keep your website simple, but not so simple that it's dull and drab. Stick to the white background and black text in your posts, but at the same time make your site look good.
- Remember that many of your website visitors will hitting your site from a mobile device. So make sure your site is mobile friendly. Not only that, but little things like lots of drop down menus can be confusing to visitors, especially those on mobile devices. Many themes handle these nicely, but some do not.
- Shiney Object Syndrome. We all get it and it can be very distracting. Not only that, but it can deter you from what you should be doing, like writing content. It can also start you going down the wrong path with your website. So stick to the training.
- Someone mentioned this earlier this week and it's worth repeating. Don't put a bunch of those cool little GIF's on our site that like to jump all over your pages. They just distract your readers from what you want them to be doing.
- Don't let your posts end up looking like a big sales pitch. It's bad for readers and Google as well. Make sure your post is offering useful information.
Above all else, remember that we are helping people in our respective niches. If we help people get what they want, we will get what we want.
There's probably more, but it's late and I'm tired..haha.
Cheers,
Michael
Recent Comments
9
Hi Michael.
Ive had mixed experience with giving feedback to others. Some have just ignored my suggestions and others have gotten quite grumpy and defensive when i suggested a few modifications.
To be honest i decided not to get involved any more.
I'll maybe look at it again in future - perhaps as a mutual thing - find someone to give feedback on my site in return for feedback on theirs
Hi Dave,
I understand, I've had mixed results as well. On the flip side though, we can't improve on it if no one uses it.
There's always going to be folks who are just negative about things, that's just life. But there are others who are new and just need guidance. So we can use those times as a training opportunity to help improve on the Site Feedback tool.
Personally, I think folks need to realize that honest feedback is for their benefit as well as those they're giving it to.
Cheers
Michael
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Excellent tips! You've got it spot on!
Thanks!