Crafting an Effective Feature Request Email: Communicating User Needs

As a user or customer, providing feedback and suggesting new features or improvements for a product or service is essential for its growth and development. Writing a well-crafted feature request email can effectively communicate your needs and ideas to the relevant team or company. In this article, we will explore strategies and guidelines for writing a persuasive and impactful feature request email that increases the chances of your suggestions being considered and implemented.

How to Write Feature Request Email?

1. Start with a Polite and Engaging Introduction

Begin your feature request email with a polite and engaging introduction. Address the recipient by name and briefly explain your purpose for reaching out. Mention your appreciation for the product or service and how it has benefited you, establishing a positive tone right from the start.

Example:

Dear [Recipient’s Name],

I hope this email finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I am a dedicated user of [Product/Service Name]. I want to express my appreciation for the excellent work your team has done in creating such a valuable and innovative solution.

2. Clearly State the Feature Request

Clearly and concisely describe the feature or improvement you are requesting. Be specific about its functionality, purpose, and how it would benefit you as a user. Use descriptive language and provide examples or use cases to help the recipient fully understand your request.

Example:

I would like to suggest the addition of a [specific feature] to enhance the user experience. This feature would [describe the functionality and its purpose]. For example, it would allow users to [provide specific use cases or scenarios where the feature would be beneficial].

3. Explain the Benefits and Value

Articulate the benefits and value that the requested feature would bring to both the user and the company. Highlight how it aligns with the overall goals or mission of the product or service. Emphasize the potential positive impact on user satisfaction, productivity, efficiency, or any other relevant metrics.

Example:

By implementing this feature, users like myself would benefit from [specific benefits]. It would streamline [relevant process or task], save time, and improve overall productivity. Additionally, this enhancement would contribute to a more seamless and enjoyable user experience, which, in turn, can lead to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.

4. Provide Use Cases or Examples

Support your feature request with real-life use cases or examples to illustrate its practicality and value. Describe how the feature would be used in different scenarios or how it can solve specific pain points for users. This helps the recipient visualize the implementation and understand the potential impact.

Example:

For instance, as a [specific user role or industry], I often encounter challenges when [describe the pain points]. By incorporating this feature, users in similar situations would be able to [explain how the feature resolves the pain points]. This would result in a more efficient and effective workflow, ultimately benefiting all users in [specific user segment or industry].

5. Express Enthusiasm and Willingness to Provide Feedback

Conclude your feature request email by expressing enthusiasm for the product or service’s future development and your willingness to provide further feedback or assistance if needed. Show that you are invested in the product’s success and improvement.

Example:

I am excited about the potential of this feature and how it can enhance the overall user experience. I would be more than happy to provide further feedback, participate in user testing, or contribute in any way possible to ensure its successful implementation.

Subjects for “Feature Request Email”

Humans naturally want closure because we dislike having knowledge gaps. By leaving your subject line open-ended and creating a cliffhanger that can only be resolved by opening the email, you can make the people on the other end open your email. If you don’t know what to write in the subject section of your Feature request email then you can use any one of the following:

  • {Customer Name}, thank you…
  • Thank you for your time
  • We appreciate your time
  • Thank you for asking us.

1. Feature Request Response Email

Dear {Name},

Thank you for taking the time to contact us. There’s no way to do that at the moment, but the good news is that we have already started working on that feature, and it will be available in one of our upcoming releases.

I’m going to make sure that we reach out to you as soon as this feature goes live. Is this the best email to send that notification to?

In the meantime, I recommend {alternative solution}. If you have any other questions or feedback – please don’t hesitate to let us know.

Yours Sincerely,
{Sender Details}

2. New Feature Announcement Email

Dear {Name},

Our new, updated version of {product} is finally live!

We made sure to {give a short intro about what makes the updated version different}. 

Ready to download the updated version?

Click on the button below to get started!

{Add CTA}

Yours Sincerely,
{Sender Details}

3. Email Asking for Details

Dear {Name},

I'm the {job title} at {company name}, and I wanted to {one to three sentences describing your purpose}.

If you could please {ask for detail}, we'd really appreciate it.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours Sincerely,
{Sender Details}

4. Email to Say Yes to Feature Request

Dear {Name},

Thanks so much for emailing about this—that’s a great question! While we don’t have a feature like that currently, we are planning on adding something similar to that in the near future. I can’t speak to the exact timeline of when we will be releasing it, but I can tell you that it’s in the works and we’ll probably have it released within the next few months.

I’m going to make sure that we reach out to you as soon as this feature goes live. Is this the best email to send that notification to?
Thanks again for reaching out about this and sharing your perspective. Emails like this help keep our product fresh and new.

Yours Sincerely,
{Sender Details}

5. Email to Say No to Feature Request

Dear {Name},

Thank you for contacting us. You’re asking a great question. I can definitely see how this feature could be beneficial, but unfortunately, it’s not something that we can offer right now.

Could you please explain what you were hoping to achieve with this feature {in the event that {Product} did support that feature}? If you do let me know, I can possibly recommend a workaround or alternative solution.

I’m sorry that we can’t offer you this exact feature, but please tell me if there’s anything else that I can help with.

Yours Sincerely,
{Sender Details}

6. Maybe to Feature Request

Dear {Name},

Thank you so much for reaching out – that is a great suggestion and I appreciate you explaining how it would help you out. We have had other customers asking about this feature as well. While we’re actively looking into the possibility of developing it – it isn’t on our product roadmap for the next few months.

That said, I have added you to the follow-up list, so you can be sure you’ll be the first to know if and when anything changes on the status of this feature.

Though we can’t offer exactly what you’re after, I do have a suggestion that might get you most of what you need: {different features with a similar functionality}.

Please, let me know if you have other questions, concerns, or feedback.

Yours Sincerely,
{Sender Details}

7. Responding when a Feature has been Removed

Dear {Name},

Thank you for writing in and sharing your specific case. I understand how frustrating it must be to lose a feature that you’ve come to rely on, however, it’s not something we plan to replace. Let me give you a bit more context on why we made that change and how it will hopefully benefit you and other customers in the long run.

In short, it was a complex feature to maintain. It wasn’t being used by the majority of our customers, which meant we were spending a lot of development time and resources on something that wasn’t making our product better for most people.

That being said, by deciding to drop it, we’ve been able to allocate those resources into building {features X and Y}, that have been long-awaited by many users – and you’ll see them rolling out much sooner than we originally planned.

I realize that it doesn’t solve your immediate issue, though. Some of our customers have found that {alternative feature} is a good substitute for that functionality. I hope that helps to some extent.

Thanks once again for taking the time to reach out. If you have any other questions, feedback, or concerns, please let me know.

Yours Sincerely,
{Sender Details}

Examples of Keywords Used in Email-

  • Name – Naveen
  • Sender Details – Naveen
  • CEO Emailformatsample.com
  • Date/Time – 15 October 2021

Tips for writing “Feature Request Email

  • Be appreciative
    It is greatly appreciated when customers contact you and share their feedback so make sure you’re kind to them.
  • Be honest
    When you accept that a requested feature isn’t in your current roadmap, it’s crucial to be open and truthful.
  • Don’t give proper ETA
    Avoid providing a precise ETA if you are currently working on a feature that has been requested because it may be difficult to manage customers’ expectations if you are unable to deliver it on schedule.
  • Inform them
    Customers should be informed that you will contact them if and when a requested feature is constructed if you are thinking about adding it.
  • Be helpful
    Be of assistance by providing a workaround like a different feature that performs a similar purpose or an alternate option like integration with another app that is compatible with your product/service if this is possible.

Conclusion

Writing an effective feature request email requires clarity, specificity, and a persuasive approach. By following the strategies and guidelines outlined in this article, you can effectively communicate your needs and ideas to the relevant team or company. Remember to be concise, provide examples and use cases, and clearly articulate the benefits and value of the requested feature. Your well-crafted feature request email has the potential to shape the future of the product or service you use and contribute to its continuous improvement.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Latest