User-Friendly Website Checklist for Newbie SEOs: Expert Comments Included

General Forum
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  • Differentiate Offerings Clearly for Various Packages
    Ensure pricing is simple and straightforward.

  • Provide Competitive Positioning or Unique Selling Propositions
    Ask your customers for the top 3 reasons they choose you or your client.

  • Implement Visitor and Product Segmentation for eCommerce Sites
    Utilize catalog and category pages effectively.

  • Utilize Engaging Headings and Fonts for Better Content Navigation
    Plenty of tools are available to test and compare options.

  • Maintain Consistent Alignment for Improved Readability
    Some users and clients can be particular about this.

  • Incorporate Visual Aids and Statistics in Content
    A no-brainer, yet often overlooked.

  • Use Hand-Drawn Annotations to Draw Attention
    If your budget allows, hire a talented artist.

  • Ensure Content is Original, Plagiarism-Free, and Targeted
    HCU (Helpful Content Update) - anyone?

  • Regularly Refresh Website Look and Content
    Add blog posts and update the cover image periodically.

  • Create a Dedicated FAQ Page to Address Common Queries
    Check social media or Google Business Profile for ideas.

  • Secure Checkout Pages and Display Security Icons
    A must for building trust.

  • Place Testimonials Before CTAs to Boost Conversions
    If you don’t have any, start asking!

  • Explain Why Visitor Information is Needed
    Not for spamming, of course!

  • Clearly Present Privacy Policies and Terms on the Website
    Especially important for eCommerce sites.

  • Highlight Third-Party Endorsements About Your Work
    Always a good idea.

  • Include Case Studies and Portfolio Highlights
    Take the time to craft valuable case studies, especially for SEO projects.

  • Showcase Awards, Accolades & Recognitions on the Home Page
    Use pictures, videos, etc.

  • Use Guarantees and Risk Reversal Tactics to Build Trust
    A/B test to find what works best.

  • Highlight Company Culture to Attract Potential Clients
    Include pictures on the About Us page.

  • Showcase Social Media Presence on the Website
    Place them in the footer, not at the top.

  • Moderate Comments Section to Filter Spam
    Or better yet, ban all comments.

  • Respond to Inquiries Timely to Build User Preference
    Test the contact info and email forms first.

  • Highlight How Products or Services Solve Problems Effectively
    Use AI tools to create compelling copy.

  • Encourage User Feedback and Suggestions
    Especially useful if you have a SaaS tool integrated with the website.

  • List Employees and Their Credentials for Transparency
    Consider adding LinkedIn profiles.

  • Use the “About Us” Page to Convey Company Mission and Values
    A separate checklist might be needed for this!

  • Utilize Chatbots for Personalized Customer Service
    Only after thorough testing.

  • Start a Newsletter for Subscriber Updates
    Only if you have the resources to maintain it.

  • Stay Active on Social Media to Build a Network
    Post monthly and avoid spamming.

  • Publish Blogs Regularly to Engage Users
    Encourage employees to contribute.

  • Make Website Content Shareable on Social Media
    There are plenty of sharing options available nowadays.

  • Organize Webinars/AMAs to Discuss Industry Trends
    Ensure high quality and value in delivery.

  • Limit the Number of Tabs in the Menu and Incorporate Nesting
    A good developer can handle this.

  • Give Away Free Valuable Resources to Build Reciprocity
    Offer checklists, how-tos, etc.

  • Add Visual Cues to Encourage Scrolling in Single-Column Designs
    Agreed!

  • Clearly Display Contact Information on the Contact Page
    Use schema markup for this.

  • Offer Product Recommendations in the Form of Suggested Items
    Encourage users to explore more.

  • Remove Distractions Near Conversion Funnels
    Avoid this common mistake.

  • Use High-Quality Product Images on Product Pages
    Ensure they are mobile-optimized.

  • Ensure Landing Pages Deliver Promised Content
    Consistency is key.

  • Plan Pricing Structure Carefully and Communicate Urgency
    Plenty of resources are available on this.

  • Streamline the Registration or Onboarding Process for Ease
    Aim for a frictionless experience.

  • Create a Dedicated Landing Page for Single Causes Without Outbound Links
    Keep users focused on the page.

  • Feature Best-Selling Products on the Homepage
    Highlight items that capture attention.

  • Display Images of Products During Checkout
    Check with your designer to see if this can be integrated.

  • Offer Deals on Products in Shopping Carts to Reduce Abandonment
    Tools are available to implement this.

  • Follow Up with Users Who Left a Process Midway
    Same as above.

  • Use Directional Arrows on Pages to Boost Conversions
    Review competitor pages and incorporate good UX design practices.

  • Remind Users of Abandoned Conversions Without Being Intrusive
    Easier said than done.

  • Streamline the Checkout Process with Minimal Steps
    Of course, it’s essential.

  • Position Main Headings and CTAs Strategically on the Page
    Front-loading is key.

  • Include Persuasive Content and Media
    Use keynote appearances, TV spots, etc.

  • Use Contrasting Colors for Call-to-Action Buttons
    Good design practice.

  • Focus on Enticing CTAs That Create Urgency and Solve Problems
    Test several and change as needed.

  • Offer Value During User Exits
    Aim to convert them into repeat customers.

  • Avoid Automatic Content Refresh While Viewing Dynamic Pages
    Use disable functionality.

  • Ensure Consistent Back Button Functionality
    Prevent users from being booted out unexpectedly.

  • Design Website According to User Expectations
    Keep testing and refining.

  • Prefer Pagination Over Infinite Scrolling
    Even Google recommends this.

  • Maintain Consistent Branding Throughout the Website
    Common mistake even by experienced designers.

  • Acknowledge Users After Successful Conversions
    A simple thank you goes a long way.

  • Ensure External Links Open in a New Window
    Another rookie mistake to avoid.

  • Add a Sitemap in the Footer and a Search Option at the Top
    XML, not HTML.

  • Adopt Creative CAPTCHA Solutions for Registrations
    CAPTCHA or reCAPTCHA—anything will do.

  • Include Translation Options for a Global Audience
    Hreflang, anyone?

  • Provide Visual Cues to Encourage Scrolling Past the First Fold
    Good design practice.

  • Offer the Main Value Proposition Above the Page Fold
    Yes, yes, yes.

  • Always Implement Breadcrumbs for Navigation
    It’s essential for more advice like this.

  • Use Header Images Strategically with CTAs or Links
    A powerful combination.

  • Consider Vertical Dot Navigation and One-Page Scrolls
    Good design practice.

  • Ensure Easy Navigation for Users to Find Relevant Information
    Don’t hide important info.

  • Incorporate a Mega Menu with Responsive Sub-Navigation
    Looks better than dropdowns.

  • Organize Large Content with Page Hierarchy for Easier Navigation
    Content clustering.

  • Replace Stock Images with Authentic Images or a Mix of Both
    Absolutely.

  • Conduct Cross-Browser and Screen Resolution Testing
    Any good developer should do this.

  • Fix 404 Errors and Broken Links
    My favorite tool is Dr. Link Check.

  • Avoid Displaying Unavailable Information on the Website
    Check Google Quality Rater Guidelines for more.

  • Separate Advertisements from Main Content
    Relevant for non-ad websites.

  • Refrain from Auto-Playing Audio or Video
    Avoid embarrassing your users in the office or library.

  • Do Not Display Registration or Subscription Popups Immediately
    Yes, but I still see this a lot.

  • Avoid Using Splash Screens for Websites
    Yes, but sometimes unavoidable.

  • Utilize Skeleton Screens to Speed Up User Experience
    Good design practice.

  • Use Scalable Vector Graphics (SVGs) for Responsiveness
    Not many do this, though.

  • Limit Information on the Homepage to Essential Details
    Are we back to the homepage again?

  • Select Appropriate Keywords to Reduce Bounce Rates
    Keyword analysis is the ABC of SEO.

  • Monitor Website Loading Speed
    GTMetrix or Google PageSpeed Insights are popular options.

  • Check for Spelling Mistakes, Typos, and Alignment Issues
    Use Grammarly or similar tools.

  • Use Popups Effectively and Avoid Unnecessary Popups
    Test before implementing.

  • Keep Website Design Minimalist and Avoid Content Overstuffing
    Simple can be complex to achieve.

  • Incorporate a Hero Image to Capture Visitor Attention
    Spend more time on this than any other image. The results will surprise you.

  • Adopt a Responsive Design for Varying Screen Sizes
    Good design practice.

  • Include Favicon and Logo on Every Page
    Of course.

  • Use Illustrations, 360-Degree Videos, Animations & Gifs in the Header
    Don’t overdo it on serious B2B pages.

  • Maintain a Consistent Style Across the Website
    Ensure everyone reads the style

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