Getting constructive feedback from mobile app clients can feel like pulling teeth—vague comments, conflicting opinions, and endless revision cycles slow everything down. These five tips will help you create a feedback framework that keeps projects moving smoothly.
When you're building apps quickly with tools like Adalo—a no-code app builder for database-driven web apps and native iOS and Android apps, one version across all three platforms, published to the Apple App Store and Google Play—your feedback process needs to match that speed. Structured client communication becomes essential when you're focused on launching MVPs fast and reaching the widest possible audience through app store distribution.
Whether you're running a mobile app development agency or freelancing, these strategies will help you decode what clients actually want and deliver results without the revision headaches.
But let’s back up a bit – as a mobile app designer or a creative professional in general, you’re probably familiar with the design process. It’s your work day in and day out – you don’t think a whole lot about it, you just function in it automatically! It’s like driving to work. You grab your keys, get into the car, you know exactly where to turn and which exit to take, you have a parking spot near the entrance and you park there by default, and boom, without any effort, you’re at work!
But what if you had never been to this office before? What if you didn’t know what it looked like at all? You’d probably need a GPS or maps route telling you what to do and where to go at every step. That’s exactly what your client needs when it comes to giving you feedback.
So if you’re a frustrated designer at a mobile app development agency, or if you looking to make one of the annoying parts of your job a little more pleasant – this blog will help you get constructive feedback from your clients.
Tip 1: Build a Structure For Feedback
You can, and SHOULD, give your clients the tools to give you actionable feedback. If you take ownership of the feedback process and create a framework that works for you, it’s likely that you’ll be able to decode what your client actually wants, and deliver it!
Using the GPS reference from earlier, it’s likely that your client doesn’t know what your design framework looks like, or how your creative process works. They just know where they’d like to go – the destination, not the route. They’re hiring you to help them get there, and they trust you to steer the car.
So how can you help a client manage a situation where they’re in charge but someone else is in the driver’s seat? Build a structure around feedback. As a rule of thumb, the less familiar your client is with the design process, the more structure you’ll need to provide.
Here are some handy ways to collect constructive feedback:
- Provide a sheet or template where they can provide overall feedback, and screen-specific feedback
- Provide guidelines around what feedback is needed at which stage – e.g. “I’d like your feedback on the designs and colors this week, and next week we’ll review the user flow”
- You can choose a project management tool to track this communication and simplify the process
Tip 2: Build a Relationship With Your Client
Everyone is unique! The way they communicate, perceive information, and process it may be very different from you, or previous clients that you’ve worked with. By taking the time to get to know your client and build a relationship with them, you will have an invaluable insight into how to work effectively with them.
In particular, pay attention to how extensive their knowledge is on design and design processes. Find out whether they prefer being assertive in their communication or they tend to be more deferrential in their feedback. See if you can get a sense of their aesthetic preferences by understanding their interests, and what they consider ‘well designed’ apps or websites.
All of this information can be used to tailor your processes and understand your client better – apart from the fact that you’ll just build a stronger relationship with your client, which has a number of other benefits.
Tip 3: Build a Picture That Helps Visualization
It’s hard to convey what’s in your head to someone – you may be convinced that it makes sense, but someone else may just not see it. So how do you make sure that your client is “seeing what you're seeing”?
Most creative people think in images, it’s something that comes naturally. If you’re a designer, you probably processes everything visually. However, a more analytical person may instead need clear, verbal understanding.
So to help them understand what you are trying to communicate verbally, try using visual resources like drawings, mockups, or pictures. Keep these handy before a meeting so that you aren’t struggling to communicate when the time comes! It seems like more effort, but these small steps will go a long way in helping your client visualize what it is that you’re trying to build.
If you don’t share visual references, miscommunications can take place, even if your client has a great capacity to visualize concepts in their mind. If you build pictures and images, you can make sure that they’re “seeing what you’re seeing.”
Tip 4: Build an Understanding of What They MEAN
It’s not just about feedback – collecting the right feedback makes all the difference. But you don’t need to be a psychic or a mind reader to get there!
The fact remains that your clients know more about their business needs than you do, and their feedback can actually help turn your design and app into a gamechanger. What your client doesn’t know is how to translate that knowledge into an app themselves – so that’s where you come in.
A good rule of thumb to follow here is to focus on the why instead of the what. E.g. the what may be: This button doesn’t pop. The why may be significantly more important, like if users miss this button, they may exit the flow entirely. Or if you hear the infamous ‘can we make the logo bigger?’, instead you can ask them if they have concerns about branding or brand recognition over all, and see how that can best be addressed (even if it means making the logo bigger!)
So focus on trying to understand what your client might mean when they are providing feedback. Aim to solve problems for them, which is a hallmark of good design.
Tip 5: Build Trust in Their Intentions
This simply means to assume that your client is coming from a place of wanting a positive interaction, and is not harboring any malicious intent. This may sound easy, but because feedback can be a touchy subject, it’s often not as easy as we’d like it to be.
There are times when anyone working at a mobile app development agency feels like their client is trying to make life harder for them just for the heck of it. Dispel that thought right away – banish it! It won’t help you build trust in your client, and will put you on the defense every time you sit to gather feedback.
What happens more often than you realize is that clients may be worried about the success of their app, and they may project these worries or anxieties onto you. “Will this app design work? Will people like it? Does this even make sense?” These aren’t a reflection of you, or your ability to deliver as a designer.
When you’ve built a relationship with your client and see them as a partner, you may feel more compassionately and empathetically towards these concerns.
We hope these tips help your mobile app development agency work effectively and build products that solve problems and make the world a better place.
Adalo is a no-code app builder for database-driven web apps and native iOS and Android apps—one version across all three platforms, published to the Apple App Store and Google Play. Visit the Adalo App Academy to learn more about building a successful no-code mobile app development agency.
Happy feedback gathering!
FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can I easily build a structured feedback process for my mobile app design clients? | Yes, with Adalo's No Code App Builder, you can easily create a structured feedback process by building custom templates and forms directly into your workflow. You can design feedback sheets, track screen-specific comments, and integrate project management features that guide clients through providing actionable feedback at each stage of development. |
| Why choose Adalo over other App Builder solutions? | Adalo is a no-code app builder for database-driven web apps and native iOS and Android apps—one version across all three platforms, published to the Apple App Store and Google Play. This seamless publishing capability is a major advantage because getting your app into the app stores is often the hardest part of launching a new app or business. With Adalo handling distribution and marketing reach through both major app stores, you can focus on building great client relationships and gathering effective feedback. |
| How can I help clients give better design feedback? | The key is to build a structure around feedback by providing templates, guidelines, and clear expectations about what type of feedback is needed at each stage. The less familiar your client is with the design process, the more structure you'll need to provide—think of it like giving them a GPS to navigate unfamiliar territory. |
| Why is understanding the 'why' behind client feedback important? | Focusing on the 'why' instead of the 'what' helps you uncover the real problem your client is trying to solve. For example, when a client says 'this button doesn't pop,' the underlying concern might be that users could miss a critical action and exit the flow entirely. Understanding their intent allows you to deliver solutions that truly address their business needs. |
| How can visual resources improve client communication? | Using drawings, mockups, and pictures helps ensure your client sees exactly what you're envisioning, reducing miscommunication. Keep visual references handy before meetings so you can clearly demonstrate concepts, especially when working with analytical clients who may need more than verbal explanations to understand design ideas. |
| How do I build trust with clients during the feedback process? | Assume your client has positive intentions and isn't trying to make your life harder. Often, critical feedback stems from their worries about their app's success rather than dissatisfaction with your work. Building a genuine relationship helps you respond with empathy and see them as a partner invested in the same goal. |
