Getting feedback is necessary for web developers, graphic designers, and other creative professionals because it allows them to gain a balanced perspective on their work. The best way to get feedback is by asking for it, though you need to ask the right questions at the right time. The last thing you want is to get varying opinions rather than high-quality insight that can be used to increase your personal development.
Below I share some of the best ways to encourage helpful web design feedback. By following these tips, you can avoid getting vague responses like, “It looks fine, thanks,” and instead get good quality feedback that can pertain to future projects.
Send Out Surveys
Surveys are the easiest way to get specific feedback on the various elements of your work. They are also easy to set up and distribute. When you get the surveys back, you can analyze the responses to see which areas need improvement.
When setting up a survey, be sure to choose your questions wisely. Stick to 10 questions or less and make them easy to answer, such as by having clients rate you on a scale of 1-10. The easier surveys are to fill out; the more likely people are to do them.
Ask Specific Questions
Another way to get reliable feedback is by providing clients with specific questions. Often times, feedback is too general or too broad because of how the questions are asked. If you want specific feedback, you need to ask specific questions. Things like, “What do you think?” is too open-ended.
Here are some direct questions to ask your clients:
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Do you feel that the design meets the needs of your target audience?
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Do the colors and fonts accurately meet your branding style?
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What do you think about the layout and images?
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What types of emotions does the design evoke?
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What parts of the design are not necessary?
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Are there elements that you want to be added?
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Are there parts of the design that could be improved?
Ask for Feedback More than Once
Completing an entire website and asking for feedback only at the end can get you into trouble. Sometimes, it’s one thing that needed to be adjusted early on, and the project would have gone smoother. This is why it’s best to ask for feedback throughout the project. By getting insight from your clients at various stages, you can stay on track with their goals and expectations and deliver a better product at the end.
Give Clients Enough Time to Review Your Work
Lastly, give your clients enough time to look over the design and apply helpful feedback. Being put on the spot doesn’t give people sufficient time to test out the model and view it from the eyes of their audience. Plus, rushing someone can result in irrelevant feedback, which can do more harm than good.
When you work in this industry, you need thick skin. Remember, you can’t take negative comments personally, even though it may be your gut reaction. If a client doesn’t like something, dig deeper and find out why. This can improve the experience for your client, make them more likely to return in the future, and increase your personal development.
