You have a website. It’s live, your business information is there, and you’re paying to keep it online. So, everything is working as it should, right?
Not necessarily.
I recently had a conversation with another website designer who was reviewing a potential client’s website. The site hadn’t been updated in years, and when he tried to submit the contact form, it wouldn’t even accept his email address. Imagine how many potential customers might have encountered that same problem without the business owner ever knowing!
Your website doesn’t have to look broken to have problems. Sometimes, the issues are happening behind the scenes or in places you rarely check. The good news is that not every website issue requires a complete redesign. Sometimes, a few updates or adjustments are all it takes to get things working properly again.
Let’s look at five areas worth checking on your website.
1. Does Your Website Work on Mobile Devices?
When was the last time you opened your website on your phone and actually tried using it? A website might look great on a desktop computer but behave completely differently on a smaller screen. Images may be cut off, text might overlap, buttons could be difficult to tap, or your navigation menu might not work properly.
With so many people accessing websites from their phones, it’s important to make sure your website provides a functional experience across different devices. Something that looks perfectly fine on your computer may need adjustments to work properly on a smaller screen.
2. Can Visitors Navigate Your Website Without Running Into Problems?
Your website should make it easy for visitors to move from one page to another and find the information they’re looking for. But over time, links can break, pages can be moved or deleted, and buttons may stop directing visitors to the correct destination.
Even a simple broken link can create a frustrating experience for someone trying to learn more about your business. Pay special attention to links that direct visitors to important actions, such as booking an appointment or contacting your business.
3. Are Your Contact Forms and Connected Tools Working?
This is one of those website issues that can easily go unnoticed. Think about the example I shared earlier. A potential customer was interested enough to visit a business’s website and attempt to contact them, but the contact form wouldn’t accept their email address. The business owner may never know that someone tried to reach out.
And it isn’t just contact forms. Your website may connect to appointment scheduling tools, email sign-up forms, payment processors, or other systems that support your business. If those connections stop working, visitors may be unable to complete the actions you want them to take.
Testing these connections regularly can help you catch problems before they go unnoticed for weeks or months.
4. Is Your Website Loading and Displaying Properly?
Have you ever visited a website that took so long to load that you gave up waiting? Or opened a page only to find images missing, sections overlapping, or an error message where the content should be?
These issues can make it difficult for visitors to use your website, even when the information they’re looking for is there. Sometimes, the problem is as simple as an oversized image. Other times, conflicting settings or technical issues may be affecting how your website performs.
Checking your website on different devices and browsers can help you identify problems that might not appear when you’re viewing it from your usual computer.
5. What’s Happening Behind the Scenes?
Not every website issue is something you can see when visiting a page. If your website runs on WordPress, for example, the platform, plugins, and themes need regular attention to remain compatible and function properly.
Backups, security certificates, and other technical settings also play an important role in keeping your website running. You don’t necessarily need to handle every technical detail yourself, but it’s important to know that someone is keeping an eye on things.
We’ll explore the importance of ongoing website maintenance in more detail next month.
Your Website Self-Check Checklist
You don’t have to be a website developer to spot some of the most common website issues. Set aside a little time this week to walk through your website as though you’re a potential customer visiting for the first time.
Check off each item as you go, and see how your website measures up!
Here’s another idea: Ask a friend or colleague to test your website, too! Have them navigate through your pages, find your contact information, and try completing an action such as booking an appointment. A fresh perspective may help you discover issues you’ve overlooked simply because you’re familiar with how your own website works.
If you discover something that isn’t working, make a note of it. You don’t have to fix everything yourself, but identifying the problem is a great first step.
Your Website Should Work for You, Not Against You
Your website is an important part of your business. It should make it easier for people to learn about your services, connect with you, and take the next step. But just because your website is online doesn’t mean everything is functioning as it should.
Taking a little time to check your website can help you identify problems you might otherwise miss. And remember, finding an issue doesn’t automatically mean you need a brand-new website. Sometimes, a few targeted fixes can make a meaningful difference.
It’s Your Time
If you’ve discovered something on your website that isn’t working properly, or you’re not sure where to start, you don’t have to figure it all out on your own.
At HAS Solutions, I help business owners build, update, and maintain websites that support their day-to-day operations. Whether you need help troubleshooting a technical issue, improving your website’s functionality, or exploring a larger website project, I’m happy to help you determine the next step.
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