How to review your website design like a pro (even if you're not one)
You've just received your website design mockup. It looks... nice? Professional? But something feels off, and you can't quite put your finger on it.
Maybe the colors are lovely, but you're worried visitors won't know what to do next. Or perhaps it's beautifully designed, but doesn't feel like your business.
Here's the problem: Most business owners evaluate website designs the same way they'd judge a painting in a gallery. But your website isn't art - it's a business tool. And like any tool, there's a right way to assess whether it'll actually work for you.
The 'gallery vs. tool' problem
When you look at a website design and think "That's pretty," you're in gallery mode. But pretty doesn't pay the bills.
Your website needs to:
Guide visitors to take action
Communicate what you do clearly
Feel trustworthy to your ideal customers
Work seamlessly on phones and computers
Load quickly and function reliably
Here's a simple framework to evaluate your design like the business tool it should be.
The 5-minute design assessment
Five critical tests to determine if your design will actually work for your business:
The "Confused Visitor" Test
If someone landed on this page with zero context, would they understand what you do and what to do next within 5 seconds?
The "Phone Test"
How does this look and function on a mobile device? Is text readable? Are buttons large enough to tap easily?
The "Trust Factor" Assessment
Would you trust this business enough to give them your money? Does it feel professional and credible?
The "Brand Alignment" Check
Does this feel like YOUR business? Does the tone and style match how you actually work?
The "Goal Achievement" Test
Will this help you achieve your specific business goals? Is there a clear conversion path?
Questions to ask your designer
Don't just say "I don't like it." Instead, ask specific questions:
About functionality
"Can you walk me through how a visitor would book/buy/contact us?"
"How will this perform on Google searches?"
"What happens when someone fills out the contact form?"
About your customers
"How does this address [specific customer concern]?"
"Will my target customers understand what we do immediately?"
"Does this match how my customers expect businesses like mine to look?"
About results
"How will we measure if this design is working?"
"What specific actions do you want visitors to take?"
"How does this compare to my competitors' sites?"
Red flags that demand changes
Some issues are non-negotiable:
Unclear value proposition
Visitors can't tell what you do
No mobile optimization
Looks broken on phones
Missing contact info
Hard to reach you
Slow loading
People will leave before it loads
Generic stock photos
Undermines credibility
No clear next steps
Visitors don't know what to do
Key takeaway
Great website design isn't just about looking good, it's about working well and fulfilling your business goals. A good site makes it easy for visitors to find what they need and take action, while clearly showing what your business is about.
Use this framework to check if your design works as well as it looks. When you focus on both style and usability, you'll build a site that helps your business grow and keeps your customers happy.
Still not sure if your website design will actually work for your business?
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