2004 / September 25^th/ Critiquing web design

Critique has always held a different definition to different people. My definition of critique is this:

Critique

A review of suggested work, both the good and the bad

Unfortunately it seems like most people’s definition is something like this:

Critique

Compliments about suggested work. Also see kissing-ass.

So herin lies the problem. People ask for critiques over at places like Web Design Forums or Site Point Forums and get pissy when others tell them something’s wrong with their work. Well, after having my work reviewed by pros I’ve got some advice for those people: Quit your bitchin’.

I’ve decided to compile a small list of things to check your site for before sending it off for critique.

1. Copywriting - Read your site. No, seriously. I’ve found that most webmasters refuse to read their own copy. I’m not asking for the utmost attention to detail (or even a lot) but just read it and think to yourself : Do I enjoy reading this?
2. Design - Next most important to me: is your site visually appealing. You can go all out or you can win with simplicity. The key lies in making something that doesn’t hurt my eyes. No, I don’t want to succumb to a seizure while reading your site.
3. Compatability - Do you rely on proprietary technologies? Does your design break in modern browsers? Sure for the average site on the internet IE/Win is still around 93%, but for some sites IE/Win has dropped below 30%. If you’re asking for a critique, chances are you’re going to get a good number of alternate browsers. Check it it in Firefox and if possible IE5/Mac and Safari. Don’t wait for your users to complain - this should be a major issue while coding your site.
4. Usability - Here’s something a lot of web developers fall victim to. They think because [insert meaningless computer-savvy roommate] can use their site, the average visitor can too. Not true. Try to think what people would do if they came to your site. What did they come to do? Read your latest blog entry? Buy a product? Find an email? Simulate being them and walk yourself through the site.
5. Coding - Semantic layouts are fun. But even if it’s a table-based layout there’s no reason for uncoded ampersands or sloppy spacing. Take pride in your code, someone (me) will notice.

I’ve just found that most people don’t know what to check their site for. They go from photoshop comp to fully integrated web site in under an hour which is bound to cause some problems. Critiquing can be a great thing - I absolutely love it when people give me detailed critiques (even when they promise too).

But some people can’t handle it. They think that just because you don’t like their site that you are the biggest a-hole in the world. Welcome to the real world folks, we can’t design sites for 100% of our audience. It’s impossible. But what we can do is design for the common denominator - this is something that people don’t understand. They feel that their opinion is the common denominator… but it’s not. That’s why I think a lot of people get offended when someone says “I hate that color green” after they spent 2 hours flip-flopping between 11 shades of green to find one they liked. Oh, and that shade of green does suck.

So, my advice for you (web design folks) is to learn to take critiques in good humor. Don’t take one harsh review too seriously, as you will get those. Don’t think someone is personally attacking you because they can’t find your navigation. It may be glaringly obvious to you, but maybe it’s not to the average user.

On a sidenote, hopefully I’ll have a new present to the web sometime in the near future. Hopefully it’ll be something new :)

1. 

   Chris

   September 25^th | #

   I totally agree with what you are saying. When I put my site that I am designing now up at the webdesign forums, I hope that I get every little bit critiqued, because I want it to be perfect. Also, where you say that part of your design (like the navigation) is clear and easy to see, but may not be for average users, that is because you designed it and know exactly where to look. If you are foreign to the site, you may have problems.

   Ps. I stumbled on this site today and love it, awesome job on the layout. I have your rss feed submitted in my news aggregator :).

2. 

   dennis

   September 26^th | #

   Not that I am particularly qualified to offer any suggestions, but I would also add ‘Consistency’ as a point of interest under Usability.

   Especially as it relates to navigation, there’s nothing quite so frustrating as having to reanalyze page after page of the same site.

3. 

   Aaron

   October 6^th | #

   I totally agree mate, when i post on webdesign forums i want to know what i have done wrong that i didnt spot, because the amount of effort that goes into the creation of a site it is so easy to miss the simplest of errors. I cant understand anyone who goes to forums expecting to be worshipped

4. 

   Narayana Rao

   April 19^th | #

   itstnr is the online portfolio of Narayana Rao T, a web and graphic designer based in Hyderabad, India. This site serves as the central place to view my latest work as well as a place to get resources for designers. http://www.itstnr.com

5. 

   Denis Baldwin

   December 3^rd | #

   I agree with you. While I’m not the best designer around, I do atleast double check my copy and ask for (and appreciate) opinions on the site, good and bad. Speaking of which, if you don’t mind checking out my sites, I’d love some feedback.

   http://www.awardsideas.com
   http://www.flexidisplay.com
   http://www.awarenessideas.om

   Denis

6. 

   weblizzer

   December 24^th | #

   This is very useful and very nice article… as a web designer we must be aware those things.. and even myself i did mistakes….

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