Summer Website Check-Up: How a Website Audit Can Improve Your User Experience (and Your Results)
Summer is the perfect time for a little maintenance. Whether you're tuning up your garden, giving your home a deep clean, or finally tackling that growing to-do list, don't forget about one of your hardest-working business assets, which is your website.
Your website works for you 24/7, and no matter how happy you are with it, even the best websites need regular check-ups. It’s best practice to regularly check for broken links, outdated content, slow loading pages, or a confusing user experience (UI). These are things that can quietly cost you leads without you even realizing it.
A website audit doesn't have to be a complicated task. In fact, spending just an hour or two reviewing your site every few months can make a significant difference in how visitors experience your business.
Why Website Audits Matter
Your website is often the first impression potential customers have of your business. If they encounter broken pages, confusing navigation, or forms that don't work, they may leave before ever contacting you and you’d be none the wiser.
Regular website audits help you:
Improve user experience (UI)
Identify technical issues before they become bigger problems
Keep your SEO healthy
Increase trust and credibility
Improve your chances of turning visitors into customers
As a general rule, we recommend completing a basic website audit every quarter and a more comprehensive review at least once a year.
Your Summer Website Audit Checklist
You don't need to be a developer to perform a basic website audit. Here's a simple step-by-step process.
1. Test Your Website Speed
A slow website creates frustration and increases the likelihood that visitors will leave before your page even finishes loading.
Use Google's PageSpeed Insights to see how your website performs on both desktop and mobile devices. If your site loads slowly, consider optimizing large images, removing unnecessary plugins, or speaking with your web developer about performance improvements.
2. Check Every Link and Form
When was the last time you clicked every button on your website?
Test:
Navigation menus
Internal links
Contact forms
Newsletter signups
Download buttons
Social media links
Fill out your own contact form to make sure submissions are received correctly and that visitors receive confirmation messages.
3. Review Your Mobile Experience
More people browse on their phones than ever before, yet many business owners only ever view their website on a desktop computer.
Open your website on your phone and ask yourself:
Is the text easy to read?
Are the buttons large enough to tap?
Does everything load properly?
Is it easy to find important information?
Can you contact the business in just a few taps?
If the answer to any of these questions is "not really," it's probably time for improvements.
4. Evaluate Your Desktop User Experience
Desktop visitors still expect an intuitive, easy-to-use website.
Take a fresh look at your homepage:
Can visitors understand what you do within five seconds?
Is your navigation simple and organized?
Are your calls-to-action clear?
Are important pages easy to find within two or three clicks?
Sometimes small adjustments like simplifying menus or making buttons more noticeable can have a big impact on conversions.
5. Review Your Content and SEO
Content naturally becomes outdated over time.
Look for opportunities to:
Update service information
Remove outdated promotions
Refresh old blog posts
Check page titles and meta descriptions
Ensure headings are organized logically (H1, H2, H3)
One important reminder: avoid keyword stuffing. Years ago, cramming keywords into every sentence was common practice, but today it actually hurts your SEO. Focus on writing naturally for your audience, and search engines will reward content that genuinely provides value.
6. Build Trust
Visitors make decisions quickly. Ask yourself whether your website builds confidence by including:
Recent customer reviews
Testimonials
Case studies
Updated contact information
Clear calls-to-action
A secure HTTPS connection
If you're a local business, don't forget about your Google Business Profile. Keeping your business hours, photos, contact information, and customer reviews up to date helps customers find and trust your business online.
Ask Someone Else to Test Your Website
One of the easiest ways to improve your website's user experience is to watch someone else use it.
Ask a friend, family member, or even a loyal customer to complete a few simple tasks, such as:
Find your contact information
Book an appointment
Request a quote
Locate one of your services
Pay attention to where they hesitate or become confused. Fresh eyes often uncover usability issues you've become blind to after looking at your own website for months—or years.
A Little Maintenance Goes a Long Way
Think of your website like your vehicle before a summer road trip. You wouldn't head out without checking the tires or changing the oil, and your website deserves the same level of care.
A regular website audit helps ensure your site stays fast, user-friendly, and ready to convert visitors into customers. By taking a little time this summer to review your website's performance, you'll set your business up for stronger results throughout the rest of the year.
Need help identifying opportunities for improvement? The team at BuzzMate Marketing can help you evaluate your website, improve the user experience, and make sure your online presence is working as hard as you are.
