Cormac Fee
Design
website design checklist
1. Purpose & Strategy (Believe it or not, most people skip this)
⬜ What is the main goal of my website? (enquiries, bookings, sales, sign-ups)
⬜ Who is this site actually for - not just "everyone"?
⬜ What action do I want a visitor to take within 10 seconds?
⬜ Do I know what makes my business different from competitors?
If this isn’t clear, the design won’t save it.
2. Structure & Pages
⬜ Do I know what pages I need? (Home, About, Services, Contact, etc.)
⬜ Can a visitor find what they need in three clicks or fewer?
⬜ Is there a clear call-to-action on every page?
⬜ Have I avoided adding pages “just because other sites have them”?
More pages ≠ better website.
3. Content (Words Matter More Than Design)
⬜ Can I clearly explain what I do in one sentence?
⬜ Is my content written for customers, not myself?
⬜ Have I avoided jargon and buzzwords?
⬜ Do I answer the questions clients usually ask before getting in touch?
⬜ Have I proofread everything properly?
If your content is weak, the site will feel weak.
4. Branding & Visual Consistency
⬜ Do I have a logo that works at all sizes?
⬜ Am I using a consistent colour palette?
⬜ Have I chosen no more than two fonts?
⬜ Does the site actually feel like my business, or just a template?
Templates are fine. Looking generic isn’t.
5. User Experience | UX (This Is Where DIY Sites Fall Down)
⬜ Is the site easy to use and accessibility friendly?
⬜ Are buttons obvious and easy to tap?
⬜ Can users scan pages quickly instead of reading walls of text?
⬜ Have I tested the site on different screen sizes and devices?
Your visitors are impatient. Design accordingly.
6. Technical Basics (Unsexy but Critical)
⬜ Is the site loading quickly?
⬜ Are images properly optimised?
⬜ Is SSL enabled (https)?
⬜ Are forms actually working and tested?
⬜ Do enquiry emails go to the right place?
A broken form = lost business.
7. SEO & Visibility
⬜ Does each page have a clear purpose and topic?
⬜ Have I written proper page titles and descriptions?
⬜ Do I know what keywords my customers would search for?
⬜ Is my business set up on Google Business Profile?
If people can’t find you, the site isn’t doing its job.
8. Legal & Trust Signals
⬜ Do I need a privacy policy, GDPR or cookie notice?
⬜ Are contact details easy to find?
⬜ Have I added testimonials, reviews or examples of work?
⬜ Does the site feel trustworthy at first glance?
Trust is designed — not assumed.
9. Ongoing Maintenance
⬜ Who will update content when things change?
⬜ What happens if something breaks?
⬜ Do I actually have time to manage this long-term?
⬜ Is DIY still saving me time… or costing me it?
Your time has value.
Final Reality Check
If reading this checklist made you think:
“I didn’t realise how much was involved”
“I could do this… but it would take ages”
“I’d rather focus on running my business”
That’s completely normal.
Some people enjoy a challenging DIY project if they have the time and energy.
Others decide it’s smarter for them to leave it to someone who does this as their job.
If you’re in the second group, you already know what to do.
hi@cormacfeedesign.com
I collaborate with businesses of all sizes worldwide, crafting beautiful websites, apps, brand identities and graphics. I also love a host of other things like music, art and people. You can find out lots more on my about page.
I craft beautiful and functional designs that seamlessly align with my clients' unique needs and long-term goals.