Is your website working for you?

A 5-Part self-audit to help you improve your website (Without the overwhelm)

When was the last time you looked at your website like a brand new visitor?

Not as the business owner, or the one who knows what every button is meant to do. But with fresh eyes. From the perspective of someone who just landed there for the first time, who is possibly deciding whether to work with you, book a service, or hit the back button.

Because here’s the truth: even beautiful websites can quietly turn people away.

Inconsistent design. No clear CTA. Outdated layouts. Vague messaging. Missing trust signals. Broken links. None of these things are dramatic on their own, but together, they can impact how confident, credible, and conversion-friendly your website really is.

That’s why I created this 5-part self-audit: to help you spot and fix the most common things that may be holding your website back. Whether you’re DIYing your Squarespace site, refreshing an old design, or prepping to work with a pro, this blog will help you spot the essentials so your website can support your business.

Part 1: First Impressions Matter

Your homepage is your digital front door. You have a few seconds to help someone feel like, "Yes! I'm in the right place."

Here’s what to check:

1. Headline clarity – Can someone understand what you do and who it's for in under 5 seconds?

2. Visible call to action – Is there a clear next step? (e.g. Book a Call, View Services, Contact Me)

3. Image size – Are your hero images so large they push your content too far down the page?

4. Value statement – Do you explain what makes you different or how you help?

5. Navigation simplicity – Limit your top menu to 5–6 key items. (Tip: Remove "Home" and use the logo instead.)
   
   

Part 2: Structure & Flow

A pretty website means nothing if your visitor gets confused and doesn’t know where to go next.

This list helps you simplify the journey:

1. Menu order – Are your key pages easy to find? Put Services > About > Contact in that order.

2. Footer links – Include quick links to all major pages at the bottom of your site.

3. Section spacing – Is your content broken into easy-to-scan sections, or is it overwhelming?

4. Heading structure – Use only one H1 per page, followed by H2s or H3s for sub-sections.

5. Homepage About snippet – Add a short intro with a link to your full About page.

Part 3: Trust & Conversion Boosters

If your site isn’t converting, this section is often the missing link.

1. Testimonials – Add 2–3 social proof quotes to key areas like your homepage or Services pages.

2. External links – Do your Instagram, reference to someone else’s website, or media links open in new tabs? They should!

3. Newsletter sign-up – Pair your form with a freebie or lead magnet (more on that below).

4. Mobile responsiveness – Check everything on mobile: fonts, buttons, forms.

5. Contact form clarity – Is your form easy to find, easy to fill out, and functional?
   
   

Part 4: SEO & Content Essentials

Searchability = sustainability. Your website should help people find you, not just look pretty.

1. Page/tab titles – Are your browser tabs clearly named for each page?

2. Meta descriptions – These short blurbs tell Google what each page is about.

3. Internal linking – Do your pages connect naturally? (e.g. About > Services)

4. Keyword usage – Are you using language your audience uses in Google search for you?

5. Blog or resources – You don’t need weekly posts, but a few helpful articles can go a long way. Make it consistent.

Part 5: Smart Layout & UX

Good design doesn’t just look good. It feels good to use.

1. CTA consistency – Use the same button style across your site (no mix of underlines, links, etc.)

2. Scroll-friendly layout – Avoid stacking massive sections that make visitors scroll endlessly.

3. Visual balance – Keep image and text blocks clean and evenly spaced.

4. Content previews – Show 3–4 blog posts or podcast episodes side-by-side for easy browsing.

5. Link clarity – Be specific (e.g. "Download the guide" vs. "Learn more").

Want to go deeper in exploring your site? Grab the Website Launch Checklist

Most people miss key settings when launching their website. It’s not too late to fix them

Download the Website Launch Checklist - a free resource packed with everything you need to prep, polish, and launch (or relaunch) your site with confidence. The list I use with my clients and keep refining over time.

It’s perfect if you’re:

• Getting ready to launch a new website

• Planning a DIY refresh

• Working with a designer and want to stay organized

It’s one of my most-loved freebies for a reason!

Sometimes it’s hard to see your site clearly when you’re so close to it.

If you want an expert eye on your homepage or you’re not sure where to focus first, I offer 1:1 Website Audits where I walk through your site and give you a and organised, easy to action checklist of what to improve, the recorded audit and heaps of clarity.

Let’s make sure your website isn’t just pretty, but powerful.

• What is a website audit?

  A website audit is a review of your website to identify what’s working, what’s not, and how to improve it.

• How much should a website audit cost?

  It can range from free to a few hundred dollars, depending on depth and who’s doing it.

• What is a free website audit?

  A free website audit gives you expert feedback on your site without any cost - often in a short video or checklist format and not going into the whole website but providing great value.

• How long does it take to audit a website?

  Usually 20-60 minutes to review and prepare feedback, depending on the site's size and depth of Audit.

• What is checked during an audit?

  Things like homepage clarity, navigation, design, SEO, mobile view, and calls to action, website structure.