Practical website planning

Website audit checklist

Find the problems that stop a small website doing its job.

Start with a customer task

Choose a real task, such as requesting a quote. Complete it on a phone and desktop.
Record each issue with the URL, evidence, impact and a named owner.

Technical and usability checks

Verify important URLs return the expected status and canonical URL. Check for unintended noindex restrictions.
Test navigation, keyboard focus, descriptive link labels, form labels and meaningful image alternatives.
Inspect mobile layouts for clipped text, horizontal scrolling and buttons obscured by overlays.
Check forms end-to-end; a success banner alone does not prove email delivery.

Content and maintenance

Check service details, prices and contact information for accuracy.
Remove unsupported claims and identify who owns each important page.
Review software updates, access permissions, backup status and domain renewal arrangements.

Prioritise

Fix lost enquiries, exposed private data and broken purchases first.
Schedule confusing journeys, inaccessible controls and inaccurate content next.
Keep optional visual improvements separate so they do not delay essential repairs.

Also useful: website cost calculator · launch checklist · website audit.