How To Give Great Feedback to Your Website Designer

Giving great feedback is one of the most powerful tools you have when working with a designer. It’s also one of the most misunderstood.

When you can describe what matters—what feels right or off—it doesn’t limit the process. It gives it shape. Specific, thoughtful feedback creates a path forward. It helps your designer respond, adjust, and build something that feels true to you.

But giving feedback on something as visual and layered as a website can feel tricky, especially if design isn’t your everyday language. It’s not always easy to explain what’s not working or how to ask for changes. The good news is: it isn’t about having the right words. It’s about being honest, clear, and collaborative.

1. Assemble Your Thoughts In One Document

Before sending feedback, take a little time to collect all of your notes into a single document. This makes it easier for your designer to see your full perspective at once, rather than piecing it together from multiple emails. It also prevents the risk of sending conflicting instructions in later messages and keeps the feedback process clear and organized for both sides.

2. Be specific

Saying “I don’t like it” or “It’s not working” doesn’t give much to respond to. Try to pinpoint what’s bothering you—whether it’s the spacing, a color, a font choice, or a photo that doesn’t feel on-brand. If you’re not sure what’s off, it’s okay to say that too, and we can talk through it. What matters most is that we’re working together to define what feels right.

3. Revisit your questionnaire responses

Most of the decisions you’re seeing—colors, layout, type hierarchy, tone—are rooted in the branding and goals you shared with me. My designs aren’t built screen by screen; they’re layered from the ground up. When something feels surprising or unexpected, it can be helpful to go back to your original responses and view the design through that lens. That said, if something has changed or no longer fits, that’s important to share too.

4. Consider how structure shapes design

Sometimes a single element might feel off at first glance, but makes more sense in the context of the whole page or flow. Squarespace has a specific set of tools and structural limitations, so every decision—spacing, alignment, image treatment—is often balancing form, function, and what the platform allows. Trust that there’s a reason behind each choice, and feel free to ask about any of them

5. Don’t forget to say what you like

Positive feedback is just as valuable as critique. If a section feels right or a design detail stands out in a good way, say so. It helps me understand what’s resonating with you so I can carry that same tone or style into the rest of the site.

6. Give examples

It’s totally fine to say, “I saw a site that does this differently,” or “I love how this page feels.” Visual references can be useful, but keep in mind that your site is being built within the framework of Squarespace, your existing brand, and the story you already told me in your questionnaire. I’m not copying someone else’s design—I’m interpreting your vision through the structure we’ve already laid. If something you see elsewhere sparks a new direction, let’s talk about how it might translate realistically into your site.

7. Know What’s a Quick Fix — and What’s Not

Some changes are simple, like swapping a photo, adjusting a color, or editing a line of text. Others require more time and planning, such as restructuring content, rebuilding layouts, or using custom code. This is why I ask for final content at the outset: so the design can be built with intention from the start. Of course, some edits will come up as the design takes shape, but the more settled the foundation, the smoother and faster the process becomes. If a request ends up being more involved than it seems, I’ll flag it and offer options.

8. Don’t Wait Until the End

The homepage sets the tone for the entire site. If something feels off, it’s essential to say so now, not after the rest is built. Waiting until the final round to raise concerns often means more revisions, more time, and potential added cost. Early feedback isn’t just helpful—it’s necessary. The process is structured to include check-ins so we can adjust as we go. Please use them.