Website Health Score: A Simple 10-Point Checklist for Non-Developers

 

Your website is your 24/7 salesperson. But is it fit, fast, and ready to convert?

You don't need to be a developer to know if your website is healthy. You just need a simple checklist. Think of this as your annual check-up to ensure your site is working hard for your business, not against it.

Run through these 10 simple checks to get your website's "health score" today!

5 Points for Performance and Trust

These checks relate to how well your website works and how much people trust it.

1. Speed Test: Does Your Site Load in Under 3 Seconds?

• The Check: Go to Google's free tool, PageSpeed Insights, and enter your homepage URL.

• The Goal: A fast site keeps visitors happy and helps your Google ranking. If your site takes longer than 3 seconds to load, you're losing visitors before they even see your content.

• The Fix: Compress your images, or ask your developer (or Sownmark!) to optimize your image files.

2. Mobile-Friendly Check: Can You Use It with One Thumb?

• The Check: Open your website on your phone. Can you easily tap buttons and read the text without zooming in?

• The Goal: Over half of all web traffic is mobile. If your site is clunky on a phone, you're frustrating most of your audience. Every button and form must be thumb-friendly.

• The Fix: Focus on clean, single-column layouts for mobile pages.

3. Security (HTTPS): Do You Have the Little Lock?

• The Check: Look at the URL bar in your browser. Is there a small padlock icon next to your website address?

• The Goal: The padlock means your site uses HTTPS, a secure protocol. Without it, browsers like Chrome flash a "Not Secure" warning. This immediately kills customer trust, especially if you sell anything.

• The Fix: You need an SSL Certificate. This is usually a simple, inexpensive add-on you get from your hosting company.

4. Clear Navigation: Can a Stranger Find Your Core Service in 5 Seconds?

• The Check: Ask a friend who has never seen your site to find your main product/service. Can they do it in two clicks or less?

• The Goal: A messy menu confuses people. Clear, simple labels like "Services," "About," and "Contact" are always best.

• The Fix: Reduce your main menu to the top 5-7 most important links. Ditch any confusing labels.

5. Broken Links: Are You Sending Visitors to a Dead End?

• The Check: Download a free browser extension (like Check My Links for Chrome) or use a free online broken link checker.

• The Goal: When a link on your site leads to a "404 Error: Page Not Found," it tells Google your site is neglected, and it frustrates your customer.

• The Fix: Run a check once a month and fix or delete any broken links immediately.

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5 Points for Conversion and Sales

These checks ensure your website is actually making money for your business.

6. Value Proposition: Is Your Offer Obvious at the Top of the Page?

• The Check: What is the main headline on your homepage? Does it clearly state what you do and who you do it for?

• The Goal: When someone lands on your page, you have three seconds to answer: “What is this company selling, and is it for me?”

• The Fix: Simplify your headline. Example: Instead of "Innovative Solutions," try "We Build High-Converting Websites for Local Restaurants."

7. Core Call-to-Action (CTA): Is There One Main Next Step?

• The Check: Look at your homepage. Is there one big, obvious button you want everyone to click? (e.g., "Book a Free Consultation" or "Shop Now").

• The Goal: Too many buttons create "choice paralysis." Every page should push the visitor toward a single, clear next step.

• The Fix: Make your main CTA button a contrasting color (like blue on a white page) and use action words.

8. Testimonials/Social Proof: Do You Have Customer Evidence?

• The Check: Do you have client quotes, star ratings, or logos from companies you've helped displayed on your homepage and service pages?

• The Goal: People trust other people. Showcasing proof of your work eliminates buyer hesitation faster than anything else.

• The Fix: Collect 3-5 great testimonials and embed them visually on your highest-traffic pages.

9. Forms and Contact: Are They Simple and Quick?

• The Check: Go to your Contact page or a lead form. Does it ask for anything more than the bare minimum (Name, Email, Message)?

• The Goal: The more information you ask for, the less likely people are to fill it out. Every extra field reduces your chance of getting a lead.

• The Fix: Cut your forms down to 3-5 fields max. You can ask for more details later.

10. Clear Images: Are All Your Images High-Quality and Relevant?

• The Check: Are your images fuzzy? Are they generic stock photos that don't relate to your work?

• The Goal: High-quality images look professional and build immediate confidence in your brand. Generic photos feel inauthentic.

• The Fix: Invest in a few high-quality, professional photos that show off your actual team, product, or work environment.