Got A Service-Based Business? Do This On Your Website TODAY
I wanted to share a lil website tip with you that I reckon is KEY to getting proper feedback from your clients — feedback that includes testimonials AND can help you improve whatever you're offering.
We all know how key testimonials are to business, yeah? Well, in my opinion, I reckon most people go about getting them in the wrong way. (I'm guilty of this in the past too). We just ask for a straight up testimonial, instead of asking for feedback. Which is kinda like us saying 'Hey, just tell me the good shit about our project together, I don't care that much about what could be improved tbh'.
If you're running a business and you want it to do well, you have to at least be open to what your clients have to say, after they've invested money with you and put some skin in the game.
Recently I updated my Client Feedback form and I thought I'd share it here with you how I do it. You can creep my client Feedback form over here if you like. (This is on my personal website, I'm also gonna create one on the Good as Gold website).
When I've finished a project with a client I send this over the same time I send the final invoice, and ask them if/when they have the time if they could fill it out. ✌️
First up, here's how to create the form ::
On Squarespace?
Cool cool, it's super easy! I recommend creating a separate page for the form, just call it 'Client Feedback' or whatever you want. Then you want to insert a 'Form' block, and whip up your questions! (See below for a bunch of example questions you can use).
Personally I have the 'Storage' just linked to my email address, so when people submit it, it just comes straight to me and I know they've sent it in. You could also link it to a Google Doc or another storage option.
Not on Squarespace?
No worries! If you're on Wordpress there's probs a bunch of plugins you could use, but I reckon your easiest option would be to use Typeform. I still use them now if I need bigger forms or something that Squarespace doesn't offer, and I fricken love it. It's so easy to use and it keeps all of your submitted forms in one place.
Here's some questions you can use on your form ::
👉Overall, how did you find the experience of working with me?
👉What was your fave part, or something you think I totally nailed?
In theory, this should give you a pretty good testimonial.
👉Have you had any clients or customers comment (positively) on any of the work we did together? What did they have to say?
This could be used in a testimonial, but it's also just rad to hear how other people are interacting with the work you've done.
👉What was something you think I could improve on in the future?
This is where you give them a chance to hit you with any thoughts about how things could be done differently. Def don't take this personally, look at it through the lens of 'how can this improve my business'.
👉Any other thoughts you wanna throw at me?
Give them a chance to throw any other thoughts at you. I try to have this question box on almost any form I create — it just helps keep shit open.
👉Are you cool if I use any kind words from your feedback as a testimonial?
This is just an easy way to double check you get their permission to use a testimonial from them on your website/socials/wherever. If possible just do this section as two check boxes! Make it easy.
👉If you hit YES on the question above, can you link to a profile photo I can use alongside your kind words?
Give them a chance to choose their own photo. How much do you hate it when someone just grabs a random AF photo of you from like 5 years ago, lols.
How to store your feedback ::
This totally depends how you've got your biz documents and everything set up, but I like to just copy and paste all of the answers into a Google Doc. Then I've got everything in one place and I can go grab it out when I need it.
If you have your form linked via a Squarespace form to send you an email, you could just create a 'Client Feedback' email folder... Or anything else you can think of that works for you!
And because who doesn't bloody love a good example, here's some feedback one of my rad clients Stevie Dillon recently sent me...
(For context, we worked on a fully custom new Brand + Website + eCourse materials + more, last year and into this year. It was for sure one of the bigger projects I've ever done. Also, side note :: I haven't really edited this. I figured if I'm gonna show an example I may as well show the whole damn thing, right?)
Overall, how did you find the experience of working with me?: Super professional, and with no doubt that I would love the end result. I know that you don't cut corners design wise and that everything you produce is first class. You are always clear with setting expectations (which I do appreciate).
What was your fave part, or something you think I totally nailed?: Your design! The branding work you've done has completely transformed my business. I'm obsessed with branding and was so frustrated that I couldn't achieve my vision by DIY'ing plus hadn't really come across anyone else who I felt was aligned in terms of the style that I wanted. I think that you've really set my business apart and I'm so grateful.
Have you had any clients or customers comment (positively) on any of the design work we did together? What did they have to say?: YES! So many. It's usually random comments in emails with people saying how obsessed they are with my branding, one girl last week said she'd never seen a more beautiful website. My business coach commented on my design being the most beautiful he'd seen in a podcast I did with him on his poddy last week. My business friend commented that when she saw my website (she's in a competing business but we're mates) she said that she wanted to completely overhaul everything to set herself apart!!
What was something you think I could improve on in the future?: Communication around $. I absolutely understand your value, and I owe a LOT to you, so I hope you don't think I was ever questioning that. But we've already spoken/emailed about it and it's all resolved!
Any other thoughts you wanna throw at me?: I think you're ridiculously talented and I'm just grateful that I found you. Thank you for everything you've done I LOVE my brand, and I think think it would be possible for my expectations to be surpassed.
Are you cool if I use any kind words from your feedback as a testimonial?: Yeah, go for it!
If you hit YES on the question above, can you link to a profile photo I can use alongside your kind words?: Steal any one you want!
So... Get 'er done. And, if you need some accountability, send it to me when you're done-zo! I'd love to check it out. 😜
