Report a Problem Button: Examples & Best Practices
Learn from the best implementations of problem reporting buttons and how to design one that users actually use.
Why Problem Reporting Buttons Matter
A well-designed report a problem button turns frustrated users into active contributors. Instead of silently leaving or complaining on social media, they help you fix issues.
Studies show that 95% of users with problems never report them—they just leave. A visible, easy-to-use problem button can increase reporting by up to 340%.
Best Practices for Problem Buttons
1. Make it Visible (But Not Annoying)
Good: Fixed position button at bottom-right, subtle but accessible
Bad: Hidden in menu, requires multiple clicks to find
position: fixed; bottom: 20px; right: 20px;2. Use Clear, Action-Oriented Text
✓ Good Examples:
- • "Report a Problem"
- • "Something Wrong?"
- • "Report Bug"
- • "Need Help?"
✗ Bad Examples:
- • "Feedback" (too vague)
- • "Contact" (unclear purpose)
- • "Submit" (submit what?)
3. Keep the Form Simple
Every additional field reduces completion rate by ~10%.
Essential fields only:
- Problem description (textarea)
- Email (optional, for follow-up)
Don't ask for: Name, company, phone number (unless critical)
4. Provide Instant Feedback
Let users know their report was received immediately.
✓ "Thanks! We've received your report and will look into it within 24 hours."
5. Capture Context Automatically
Help users by auto-capturing technical details:
- Current page URL
- Browser & version
- Screen resolution
- Timestamp
(Retour's feedback button does this automatically)
Real-World Examples
Example 1: GitHub
What they do well: Clear "Report a bug" link in footer with direct access to issue templates
Lesson: Make problem reporting part of your standard navigation
Example 2: Slack
What they do well: Floating help widget with "Report a problem" option that auto-captures session data
Lesson: Context matters—attach technical details automatically
Example 3: Linear
What they do well: Keyboard shortcut (Cmd+K → "Report") for power users
Lesson: Provide multiple access points for different user types
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Hiding it in settings: Users won't find it when frustrated
- Requiring login: Anonymous reports are often the most honest
- Long forms: 5+ fields = most users give up
- No confirmation: Users wonder if their report was received
- Email-only: Breaks mobile workflow, creates friction
Implementation with Retour
The easiest way to add a problem reporting button is with Retour. It handles all best practices automatically:
✓ Auto-captures context
✓ Simple, beautiful form
✓ Instant confirmation
✓ Mobile-optimized
✓ Customizable position & text
✓ 60-second setup
Conclusion
A well-designed report problem button turns user frustration into product improvement. Make it visible, simple, and responsive—and you'll catch issues before they become churn.