What Happens When You Get a Bad Review (And How to Handle It Like a Pro)

Let’s be real—bad reviews suck. They’re like getting a pop quiz on a Monday morning or realizing you sent an email with "See attachment"—but forgot the attachment.  No matter how much heart, sweat, and late-night crafting sessions you put into your business, one day, you’ll get a review that makes your stomach drop. And guess what? It happens to EVERY business owner.  So, what do you do when it happens to you? Take a deep breath, and let’s walk through it.

Step 1: Feel the Feelings (But Don’t Stay There)

The first reaction to a bad review? Panic. Then sadness. Then rage. You might think:

😡 "Are they serious?! My work is amazing!"
😭 "What if this ruins my business?"
😨 "Should I just delete everything and move to a remote island?"

I get it. I just got one myself. And yes, it was my fault. I fixed it immediately, but dang… it still stung.

💡 What to do: Let yourself feel the frustration, but don’t react emotionally. Give yourself a moment (or an hour… or a snack break) before responding.

Step 2: Read the Review Objectively

Once you’re past the initial “this is personal” gut punch, read the review with fresh eyes. Ask yourself:

• Is their complaint valid? (Did I make a mistake?)
• Could this be a misunderstanding? (Did they expect something different?)
• Are they just impossible to please? (Spoiler: Some people are!)

Not all bad reviews are reasonable—but some are. And those are the ones where you have an opportunity to make things right.

Step 3: Respond Like a Professional

💡 Golden Rule: Never, EVER get defensive.

Even if you think the review is unfair, a defensive response will make it worse. Instead, keep it professional, polite, and solution-focused.

Response (If It’s Your Fault):
"Hi. I truly appreciate your feedback and I’m so sorry for the mistake. I’ve already fixed the issue and sent you a replacement. Thank you for giving me the chance to make it right!"

Response (If It’s a Misunderstanding):
"Hi. I’m sorry to hear you weren’t happy with your order! My designs are made with [explain your process], and I always want my customers to love their purchases. I’d be happy to chat more and see what I can do!"

Response (If They’re Just Unreasonable):
"Hi. I appreciate your feedback! I strive to provide high-quality products, and I’m sorry this didn’t meet your expectations. If there’s anything I can do, please reach out!"

You’re not responsible for making everyone happy—but you are responsible for how you handle the situation.

Step 4: Fix It (If You Can)

If it’s a genuine mistake (like mine was), fix it ASAP. A quick resolution can turn a bad review into a happy customer.

• Send a replacement
• Apologize sincerely

Even if they don’t change the review, you’ll know you handled it with integrity. (Ask me how I know!)

Step 5: Keep It Moving (Because One Review Won’t Break You)

The truth? One bad review won’t ruin your business. But how you handle it can define your reputation.

• Learn from it. If multiple people have the same complaint, it might be a sign to tweak your process.
• Drown it out. Encourage happy customers to leave reviews—it’ll push the bad ones down.
• Don’t take it personally. (Easier said than done, but still true!)

At the end of the day, you’re building something amazing. A single bad review doesn’t change that.

Final Thoughts: It Happens to All of Us

If you’re feeling down about a bad review, remember:
✨ Even the biggest brands get them.
✨ It doesn’t define your business.
✨ You have the power to turn it into a positive experience.

And most importantly—you’re doing great. Keep going, keep learning, and keep creating.  Ever gotten a bad review? How did you handle it? Drop a comment and let’s share the survival stories!

📌 Shop my designs here 🛒

Until next time,
Jecca