Website UX Audit Checklist: 40 Things to Check

A UX audit finds the points where visitors hesitate, get lost or leave. You can run a useful first pass yourself with the checklist below. Work through it on your homepage, your most visited pages and your main conversion path, such as the contact or quote page, on both desktop and mobile.

If you want to know why audits matter in the first place, read why your website needs a UX audit.

Before you start: look at the data

• Which pages get the most traffic? Start there.
• Which pages have high exit rates or very short time on page?
• Where do visitors drop out of your enquiry or checkout process?
• What are people searching for in Google Search Console before they land on your site?

1. First impressions

1. Can a new visitor tell what you do within five seconds?
2. Is it clear who the service is for?
3. Is there one obvious next step above the fold?
4. Does the design look current and trustworthy?
5. Does the page load without layout jumps or pop-ups blocking the content?

2. Navigation and structure

1. Are the main menu labels written in your customers' words, not internal jargon?
2. Can visitors reach any key page within two or three clicks?
3. Does the current page show where you are in the menu?
4. Do service pages link to related case studies and next steps?
5. Is there a useful footer with contact details and key links?

3. Content

1. Does each page answer the questions a buyer asks, in the order they ask them?
2. Are headings descriptive enough to scan?
3. Are paragraphs short and easy to read on a phone?
4. Are prices, or at least price ranges, visible where buyers expect them?
5. Is there proof: case studies, results, testimonials?

4. Calls to action

1. Does every page have a clear next step?
2. Do buttons say what happens next ("Get a quote") rather than "Submit"?
3. Is the main call to action visually distinct from secondary links?
4. Is your phone number or WhatsApp easy to tap on mobile?
5. Are there too many competing calls to action on one page?

5. Forms

1. Do you only ask for information you actually need?
2. Are error messages clear and shown next to the field?
3. Does the form work with autofill on mobile?
4. Is there a confirmation message that says what happens next?
5. Have you submitted the form yourself recently to check it arrives?

6. Mobile

1. Is text readable without zooming?
2. Are buttons and links large enough to tap?
3. Does the menu work smoothly on a phone?
4. Do images and tables fit the screen without sideways scrolling?
5. Is the main call to action reachable without endless scrolling?

7. Accessibility

1. Is there enough colour contrast between text and background?
2. Do all meaningful images have descriptive alt text?
3. Can you move through the site using only the keyboard?
4. Do form fields have visible labels, not just placeholder text?
5. Do headings follow a logical order, with one H1 per page?

8. Speed and trust

1. Does the page pass Core Web Vitals in Google PageSpeed Insights?
2. Are images compressed and correctly sized?
3. Is the site on HTTPS with no security warnings?
4. Are your address, phone and email consistent everywhere they appear?
5. Are reviews, client logos or accreditations visible near the decision points?

Turning findings into a plan

An audit usually produces a long list. The value is in prioritising it. Give each issue two scores, impact on enquiries or sales and effort to fix, and start with the high-impact, low-effort fixes. Those are often copy changes, clearer buttons or a shorter form, and they can lift conversions within days.

Bigger issues, such as confusing navigation or pages that do not answer buyers' questions, need a proper plan, and sometimes a redesign.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a UX audit take?

A self-check with this list can take a day. An expert audit of a typical business website usually takes one to two weeks, depending on how many pages and journeys are reviewed.

How often should I audit my website?

Before any redesign, after major changes, and at least once a year. Also whenever traffic holds steady but enquiries or sales drop.

What is the difference between a UX audit and usability testing?

A UX audit is an expert review against established principles and your data. Usability testing watches real users try to complete tasks. Audits are faster and cheaper; testing provides direct evidence. Many projects combine both.

Is a UX audit the same as an SEO audit?

No. An SEO audit focuses on how search engines find and rank your pages. A UX audit focuses on what visitors do once they arrive. The two overlap on speed, structure and content clarity.

Want an expert to do it for you?

Our website UX audit reviews your analytics, key journeys, mobile experience, accessibility and speed, then delivers a prioritised list of fixes ranked by impact and effort, with a walkthrough call. We audit sites for businesses in the UK, Australia and Sri Lanka.