You do not need a long evening to review your website. If you run a one- or two-person shop, you likely do not have that time anyway.
Ten minutes on your phone is enough to catch the problems that stop people from calling. This checkup is for a solo dentist, a two-person salon, a local plumber, a coach, a therapist, a bakery, or any similar small business. You do not need tech skills. You only need to look at your site the way a new customer would.
When you are done, you can fix the obvious gaps yourself, or get a fuller free audit.
How to do this
Sit down with your phone. Do not use the big computer you work on, unless that is the only device you have. Most people will open your site on a phone.
Type your business name into a search, or open your site the way you would send it to a customer. Then go through the list below. Use a notepad. Write down anything that is missing, wrong, or hard to find.
Do not try to redesign the whole site in this pass. Just look.
Minute 1–2: Can they tell who you are?
On the first screen, can a stranger answer these questions without scrolling a long way?
- What is the name of the business?
- What do you do?
- What town or area do you serve?
If a solo dentist's site opens with a blurry photo and no clear line like "Family dentistry in [town]," a new patient has to guess. Add a short sentence that states the work you do.
Minute 3–4: Can they reach you?
Look for a phone number. Tap it. It should start a call, or at least be easy to copy. If the number is only in a picture, a phone may not be able to use it.
Check that the number is the one you actually answer. Check email too, if you use it.
Then look for a way to book or leave a message. It can be a simple form, a booking link, or a clear "Call to schedule" note. If someone has to hunt for it, they may leave.
Minute 5–6: Are your hours and services clear?
Find your hours. Are they current? Do they include the days you are closed? If you are open late on Thursdays, or closed on Fridays, say so.
Think again of the dentist. A parent may be looking for Saturday hours. If that is not on the site, they may assume you are closed, even if you are not.
Next, look at your services. A long, vague list is less useful than a short, plain one. "Cleanings, fillings, and new-patient exams" is clearer than "We offer a wide range of solutions."
If you post prices, check that they are still right. If you do not post prices, say how pricing works, even in one line, such as "Call for a quote" or "We will explain fees before we start."
Minute 7–8: Does it work on a phone?
Scroll the whole first page with your thumb. Look for:
- Text that is too small to read.
- Buttons that are hard to tap.
- Pages that run off the side of the screen.
- A menu you cannot open.
- A form that is painful to fill out.
Then open one more page, such as Contact or Services, if you have one. The phone number and hours should still be easy to find.
You do not need to time how fast the site loads with a special tool. If you are waiting a long time, or if images never appear, note that. People will not wait long.
Minute 9–10: Is anything out of date or unclear?
Look for old hours, an old address, a holiday notice from last year, or a "coming soon" note that has been there for months. Look for spelling mistakes in your name, your town, or your services.
If you use photos, do they still look like your place and your work? You do not need a professional shoot for this checkup. You do need pictures that do not confuse people.
Last, read one page out loud. If you would not say those words to a customer at the door, simplify them.
What to fix first
If your list is long, start with the basics:
- A clear sentence about what you do.
- A working phone number.
- Current hours and location.
- A simple way to book or ask for a visit.
Those four items help a plumber get a call back, a bakery get an order, and a therapist get an inquiry. Design can wait. Facts should not.
If you cannot fix a gap this week, write it down. Then get a second set of eyes.
Get a fuller review
This ten-minute pass will catch the obvious problems. It will not catch everything. A free PerfectSites audit looks at the site you have now and lists issues that can cost you calls and bookings. No credit card is required.
If you want, we can also rebuild the site for $99 a month, with those problems fixed. There is a custom plan with a human project manager if you want more help. You do not have to choose a plan first. Start with the checkup, then the audit.
FAQ
I do not have time to fix things today. Should I still do the checkup? Yes. Ten minutes is enough to make a list. You can fix one item later this week, starting with the phone number or the hours.
My site looks fine on my laptop. Do I still need to check it on a phone? Yes. Many customers will only see it on a phone. What looks fine on a large screen can be hard to use on a small one.
What if I find a lot of problems? Do not try to fix all of them at once. Fix the path to a call or a booking first. Then use the free audit for a fuller list.
Can someone else do this checkup for me? Yes. Ask a friend who is not in your business to open the site on their phone and try to book or call. If they get stuck, note where.