Sharing feedback is one of the most important parts of the design process. It shapes the work we create together and ensures that the final brand or website feels aligned, intentional, and true to you. And if you’ve worked with designers (or any creative professional) in the past and didn’t feel comfortable giving feedback, know this: I genuinely welcome it. After 15+ years and thousands of designs, your feedback is never going to hurt my feelings, it’s going to shape the end result. Your feedback is a vital and celebrated part of the process.
Start with your first impression
Your initial reaction often reveals more than you realize. When you first open the design, notice what you feel. Does it reflect the mood, tone, and intentions we discussed? Does it feel close to the direction you had in mind? First impressions help guide where we go next.
Consider your ideal client
Your brand and website are built for you and the people you want to attract. Step into their experience for a moment. What would this design make them feel? What might they be drawn to or curious about?
Be specific about what you love
Point out the elements that feel just right. Maybe it’s a color, a layout, a font or a texture that resonates. Knowing what you love gives me anchors we can build on and clarify what direction feels most aligned.
Try to name what feels “off”
Sometimes a design can feel slightly misaligned, and it’s often due to one small detail. A color. A font. The spacing. A shape that’s too bold or not bold enough. You don’t need the perfect language for it; even a simple description helps us get closer to the version that will feel like your brand.
Be open and honest
Your feedback is never a burden, so there’s no need to apologize for it. This is how we co-create something meaningful. Our work together is a collaboration, and your voice genuinely matters. You will not hurt my feelings by being honest about what isn’t quite landing for you. This is your brand, your future website, your business. I want it to feel right for you.
Give yourself time to sit with it
I always recommend reviewing the design, stepping away, and returning to it a day or two later. Your most grounded, confident feedback often comes after you’ve had a moment to let everything settle.
Be selective about whose feedback you seek
It’s completely natural to want to show friends or family your brand or website design, but keep in mind that their opinions may not reflect what your ideal client needs or responds to. Someone who is not your target audience may unintentionally give feedback that pulls the design in a direction that isn’t aligned with your goals.
If you choose to share your designs with others, be selective. Ask yourself, “Does this person truly understand my business and the people I’m trying to reach?” That is who we are building this for.
A final reminder
The goal is clarity, alignment, and resonance. The more thoughtful your feedback, the more beautifully we can shape the next round of revisions. I’m here to support you every step of the way, and together we’ll create something that feels deeply true to you and irresistible to your ideal clients.
Aubre Walther is the founder of Artisan Kind, a website and brand design studio specializing in Showit websites that feel true to who you are. As an official Showit Design Partner, she helps service-based businesses like coaches, wellness professionals, and consultants build websites that attract right-fit clients through authentic design. Working from her 100% solar-powered studio in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, she creates clean, intentional websites that make potential clients feel an instant sense of connection. When she’s not designing, you’ll find Aubre tending to her cats and celebrating the small wins.
Explore Showit templates and design services at artisankind.com.