Facing criticism with anything is something we will all face and it depends on how we take it. In most cases, it is always wise to take any criticism that you receive and learn from it to do better and even succeed.

 

When you face criticism when it comes to your website, how well do you take it? Do you take things from it and learn from it?

I am open to constructive criticism, but I dislike when people criticize just for the purpose of criticism.

Since they're my babies, I don't like criticism! I want praise :)

 

I guess if someone started off by saying what they like about my forum before they dig into it, then I'll have my listening ears on. Otherwise, don't shoot me down just for the sake of shooting me down.

Is the criticism in good faith and meant to be for the betterment of the community? I think I will take it with pleasure. Is the criticism downright hateful and degrading? I'll take it with a grain of salt.

I welcome it.

 

Feedback is feedback.

 

I have a newsletter that has over 3,000 subscribers with an open-rate of 68% and a CTR of nearly 10% (which is really good)

 

I blame that success on asking for feedback

 

I added a Google form with a quick survey on each monthly issue of the newsletter, asking what they liked, didn't like, and what they want to see in the future.

 

I create future issues based on that feedback.

Its a punch in the guts when something you spent a lot of time on is hated or didn't work out like you planned. But ya know, if nobody told me I woulda kept wasting time on it. So I really do want honest feedback good, bad, or ugly. I may/may not change anything, but I certainly will realize I need to put eyes on it and give it some more thought.

I'm with Shawn on this... Feedback is Feedback. It's all in how you take it. Be positive and focus even negative criticism into a positive outcome

I find the worst criticism is the stuff that is just bashing for the sake of bashing, and then retroactively claimed or tried to justify itself as “constructive”.

 

If it’s constructive criticism, it will include something actionable - something you can actually do - to improve it.

That depends on who is telling me, the way is being conveyed as a suggestion (is it a provocation?) and how important that is to me and to forum. Some people would come to my forum and start telling me what I should have or not have as if they own the place. The core drive behind such suggestions is wanting to see what their ideal forum should have (the one they would like to own) so that at some point they enter as staff and feel as if they own the place. :oops:

As long as I get constructive criticism and not outright a "your forum sucks it looks ugly" then I welcome constructive criticism. It can help you improve as an admin in general. There could be something you overlooked and having a second pair of eyes to help you out and make your community better is always a plus!

I'm with Shawn as well, in large part. I know it might come off as a little too high-brow, but I quite honestly don't care what most others think, If it's a staff member who has to work there every day, sure, That I'd care about because I want them happy. I'd also care about what the general membership thought if there a like some sort of virtual mutiny going on or something. But the masses in general? Wouldn't give it a thought, Why worry about it when they likely don't truly care anyway? The one person I know without doubt needs to be happy is me.

I take criticism pretty good. I appreciate feedback, even negative feedback. It pushes me to do better, and I know when others are hating/jealous. People will always complain, you can't please everyone.