Today I have been reviewing all the feedback I have received to date about my iPhone application, Choice by Choice. The feedback is being used to help prioritize the features in the next update for the app.

Whilst I was going through the feedback, I had to smile when I read the following comment after some pointed (but entirely fair) criticism:

I really hope that doesn't upset you as I'm really just trying to help.

There are 4 kinds of feedback you can get as a developer, and they all have a different value attached:

1. “Great app!”, “I love it!”

Unqualified positive feedback is great for the ego and tells you that you are doing something right. Unfortunately, apart from a motivation boost and confirming that you are doing something right with your application, it isn’t very valuable.

2. “Your application sucks!”

Unqualified, unconstructive criticism. Pretty useless - unless you are getting a tonne of it. In which case you should work out what the hell you are doing wrong, ASAP.

3. “I like it but…”

Qualified, positive feedback is great. You get that motivation boost of knowing you are doing something right and you get some targetted information about what some people think your app needs or something it could be doing better.

4. “This sucks because…”

It’s not good for the ego (if you make the mistake of getting too attached to your designs), and it can be a real motivation killer if you take it the wrong way. However, this is the best kind of feedback you can receive.

The last two forms of feedback are the best. They help reveal to you how users are actually using your application or how they would ideally like to be able to use it.

Criticism is good for your Product

Some people can’t handle working with critical or demanding people - largely because they take criticism of their work as personal criticism. But if you start seeing constructive criticism as the most useful information you can get about your application and respond to it, you will make a much better product.

You might take a look at your application and ask yourself “What would Steve Jobs say about this?”.

Even better, out of everyone who gives you feedback about your products, find those who give the most construtive criticism and make sure they get to see all your future work first.