How to audit a website, with real examples
Your brand’s success isn’t measured by the money you have already made. It is measured by how many new paying customers you get this year. A website audit is how you find out what is stopping them.
This was an online workshop for Learn WordPress, so I couldn’t see faces, only the chat. Thanks to everyone who kept typing.
Security is the driver, not the car
People say WordPress is insecure. It isn’t. If a car crashes, it is usually the driver, not the car. Check your security headers, confirm your SSL is set up properly, buy premium plugins from the official source, and keep everything updated, minor versions included.
Forms tell you everything
One example from the session: a login form where the label disappears as soon as you start typing. Halfway through, you can’t remember whether it wanted your email, your phone number or your username. A floating label that moves above the field fixes it. A tiny change, but every visitor hits it.
Cookie banners can destroy trust
I walked through a music site whose consent flow had preferences inside preferences, “legitimate interest” toggles, and still loaded over 250 ad cookies after I declined. By the end I didn’t trust the site any more, and trust is what converts. Use a proper consent platform and load tracking scripts only after a yes.
Set a performance budget
Treat speed like money. Agree limits for page weight, number of requests and load time on mobile, and don’t let a release go over them.
Test, test and test again. That is how you succeed at UX.
