Ask HN: Why do people (you) give feedback?
I'm trying to figure out what makes people that give feedback tick.
As some of you may know, I have started a new website, launchly, that is trying to be a centralized point for new web startups to get feedback on their idea/site/design/etc. I have been getting some feedback from random users but so far I am not seeing the feedback rates that a site like HN gets (and HN isn't even focused on website feedback). I'm getting lots of votes (Digg-style) but the majority of my visitors don't seem to be leaving feedback.
My question to you, then, is why do you leave feedback on the "review my site" posts on HN? What is it that draws you to provide feedback? And on an obviously related note, what WOULD draw you to provide feedback on a site like launchly?
Is there some direct benefit to you that I am missing when you provide feedback here? I provided feedback on sites prior to creating launchly just because I enjoyed it so I guess I assumed that's why others did it but maybe I have missed something obvious.
15 comments
[ 3.0 ms ] story [ 44.9 ms ] threadYou could just put a small textarea up in your top launchly info frame where people can leave small page specific comments about sites.
Speaking from personal experience, I went to your site clicked around, looked at a couple of the sites. I did find a few things that I could suggest about them, but didn't have the motivation to write a dissertation about the problems.
Hope this helps.
A bit off the primary topic of but you mentioned a system where people could type a couple of words in review of the site. Was there something about launchly that made you feel like you had to write a lengthy review? Feedback can be any length so you could write something as simple as "Your logo is crappy and I don't see any market for your service." I mean more in-depth is obviously more helpful but there's no minimum amount of helpfulness :-)
Can you think of what would have motivated you to provide feedback (of the non-dissertation variety of course)?
As for the second problem, I guess (personally) I see a huge textbox where you ask for my name, email and an optional website, and I just don't feel motivated. I think you could have a small, anonymous comment spot that felt more like a tweet rather than a post.
Oh and as an aside, I didn't realize that you had the comment overlay button when I viewed a site. Maybe add some words to the icon to make it OBVIOUS for unobservant people like me?
The comment system currently uses Disqus because many people already have an account with them so they don't need another one on launchly. That form you mentioned is their version of an anonymous comment but maybe it is too invasive with the name/email/website stuff? I've been considering ditching Disqus but they bring a lot to the table... I will make the comment overlay button more obvious, thanks.
When someone asks for feedback on their site, I'll usually check their post history and how long they've been around. If they're contributing and being helpful, I'm happy to help them in return.
I don't mean it coldly at all.. It's part of the whole idea of a monkeysphere- I want to help my friends because I like them, and we are close. When a blog writer launches a site, like Stack Overflow it is a step away from that- They're people I know, at least through their writing, but aren't friends with directly.
Hacker News is one step further- They're people I'm aware of, I read their comments, and I like their work for the most part. I want to help them collectively, even If I don't know the person individually.
Launchly.. Is just a bunch of folk. I don't really know them, so I don't have any reason to help write reviews for them.
It like Babysitting- I would be happy to watch my nephew for a few hours, but I'm not going to volunteer my time to a daycare.
Maybe not requiring local launchly accounts (by using Disqus for comments) is actually going to work against me on the community building side of things?
I've remained a member of the community primarily because I enjoy the discussion. While I can find the links anywhere, I really enjoy discussing and debating issues in an intelligent and civilized manner, while learning what's interesting to my peers.
IMHO your best way forward is to start a dialogue with those who do visit your site, ask them what they are looking for, etc. Only then are you in a position to better provide value for your visitors. It's all to do with Marketing.