Constructive web design feedback is integral to the successful development of any website project. As a client or team member in the process, your input can greatly shape the user experience, the overall design flow, and ultimately, the success of the site in addressing your business needs.
Your role in giving feedback on web page design hinges on your understanding of the project goals, target audience, and overall business strategy. You’re not just a client or team member— you are a collaborator working with designers to create a web design that optimizes the user experience and improves customer engagement.
But remember, giving feedback isn’t about dictating specific design elements. It’s about sharing your perspective and working collaboratively to create the most effective design for the intended users. Spend time understanding the design process, and always keep the project’s end goals in mind.
This post explores how to give valuable advice to web page designers, foster a productive feedback loop and foster a good business partnership.
Avoid Empty or Vague Feedback
Open and clear communication is one of the best tools you can use in the web design process. It’s essential to express your thoughts, ideas, and concerns explicitly and precisely.
Blanket statements without concrete suggestions, like “I don’t like it,” are rarely helpful. Avoid frustrating phrases like “Make it pop” or “It’s all wrong.”
Try to be specific, like “I would like to use a more vibrant look with bold colors” or “This font isn’t getting across our brand, let’s try something more ____.”
If you’re uncertain about something, try asking questions about the design or your concerns. For example, saying, “I think the current color scheme might not appeal to our target market, could we explore other options?” provides more actionable feedback.
Balance Positivity with Constructive Criticism
The way you present your feedback matters. Always begin with the positive aspects of the design that you appreciate.
This approach isn’t just about being polite; it provides the designer with an understanding of what to maintain in their revisions.
Share your concerns and suggestions for improvements. This balance ensures the feedback process is encouraging, rather than defeating, maintaining a positive relationship between you and the designer.
Feedback Should Be User-Centric
As you work through each page, consider the experience from a user’s viewpoint. Instead of focusing solely on aesthetics, ask questions related to functionality, interaction, and user interface. Does the site load quickly? Is the site navigation intuitive? Is the call to action clear and compelling?
These questions ensure the website is designed with a focus on the users, which is an essential aspect of any successful web design project.
Use Tools To Help You Give Feedback
There are numerous tools available that can streamline the feedback process, making it easier for both you and the design team. Tools like Usersnap, InVision, and Bubbles allow you to give instant, visual feedback on designs in progress. They enable you to annotate on the design directly, making it easier to pinpoint exact changes and reduce the back-and-forth in revisions.
Time Your Feedback Right
Timing is an often overlooked aspect of the feedback process. Make sure to allocate sufficient time for reviewing and reflecting on the design before you give feedback. Rushed feedback often lacks depth and fails to address design, functionality, and the user experience comprehensively.
Your feedback also needs to be timely from the web designer’s perspective. Providing feedback late in the process can cause delays. Establish feedback timelines early in the project to ensure smooth progression.
Consolidate Feedback
If multiple stakeholders are involved, it’s advisable to gather all feedback into one unified document. This helps prevent conflicting advice and makes it easier for the design team to process the feedback. Make an effort to resolve any differences in opinions before sending the combined comments to the designers.
What are the Specific Things to Look When Giving Feedback
Have an Approval Checklist
Giving feedback is easier the more you know about what you’re after. Good web design is critical to bringing in customers and increasing conversion and brand awareness. Before you look over the design draft, you need to know what you’re looking at.
Prioritized Navigation
Has the primary navigation incorporated the most crucial pages? Are the less critical pages appropriately included as well?
Refer to your business objectives and visitor analytics to determine prioritization. Ensure your primary navigation is succinct yet effective and relegate social media links or other extras to your site’s footers.
User-Focused Content
Designing for users means presenting content for seamless browsing and quick access to information. Is the web copy user-centric? Is pivotal information easily noticeable?
Highlight key points within the first few paragraphs and use SEO-rich headings and subheadings (roughly 2.5x the body font size, bolded) to denote priority and captivate user attention.
Readable Typography
Legible fonts that tantalize reading and engagement are indispensable. Assess if the selected fonts are consistently readable across the website. The font should fit the size of your website, especially for heavy text pages (recommended 16px, preferably 18-20px).
Remember to check on mobile – text fields or search inputs under 16px can cause zoom issues in Safari on iOS.
Brand Consistency
Your website is the digital face of your brand and is integral to creating trust with diverse audiences. It contributes to emotional bonding and drives loyalty.
Reflect earnestly: does the design align with your brand identity? Does it make a statement that will resonate with stakeholders and kindle pride within your organization?
Sufficient Contrast
Sound visual design and website accessibility both hinge on contrast and color usage.
Visitors should readily perceive the content, and there should be a contrast between the website’s background colors and text colors.
A Proper Use of Whitespace
Whitespaces encompass the area around and amidst layout elements. By segregating unrelated design constituents, it ensures a crystal-clear rendition of your message.
Adequate whitespace can lead your users intuitively and generate a visually harmonious design. Too little can create disorder, and too much may come off as sparse. Striking the right balance is crucial.
Alignment
Visual design thrives on a perceptible structure among the various elements. Do all constituents align predictably? Proper alignment of icons, images, and copy adds an extra touch of finesse to the design. Whether aligned left, right, center, or justified – make sure the text is in line with best design practices and readability standards.
Strategic Calls to Action (CTAs)
CTAs are meant to incite an instant response or sale. Are your CTAs conspicuous and sensibly located in the final design? Do they feature action-oriented labels? Where possible, avoid generic terms like ‘Submit’ or ‘Learn More’ and opt for more compelling alternatives such as ‘Schedule a Demo’.
Integrating all these factors into your final web design feedback ensures you deliver a website that not just meets but exceeds expectations.
A Good Feedback Comes a Long Way
Giving effective web design feedback requires a structured approach and an open mindset. It’s about contributing to a collaborative process, asking the right questions, and focusing on the user experience.
And remember, while your perspective is essential, designers bring their skills and experience to the table. Trust their expertise, and leverage the feedback process as a way to learn, communicate, and create the best possible website for your business or project.
The collaborative nature of web design relies on the partnership between clients and designers. Embrace the feedback process as an opportunity for growth and improvement, ultimately leading to a website that resonates with its intended audience.
At Texas Web Design, we understand that success lies in the synergy between clients and designers. Embrace the feedback process as a pathway to growth and refinement, ensuring your website resonates with its audience. Contact us now to embark on this collaborative journey towards an exceptional online presence.
