One thing that I am always mindful of is how quickly things change. And how details can fall by the wayside when busy or otherwise distracted.
I have been creating websites for decades. I note that timeframe because, even with all those years of experience, I still get blindsided by the breathtaking speed of change and how often I overlook certain things or discover bugs on my websites.
So, at the beginning of each year, I go through all my websites with a fine-tooth comb. I’m not looking for anything in particular; I’m doing an overall health check and, in that process, discovering things I overlooked.
In addition, many changes occur in every business over the course of a calendar year. As a result, you’ll likely discover content and commentary that need updating to reflect how you currently operate your business, as well as outdated material that needs to be removed.
Website Health and Feature Checklist
So today, I’m sharing with you the list I use to check my WordPress websites so that you can do the same:
Check your website footer to ensure the current year is displayed. Nothing like an old copyright date indicates a website is not being paid attention to.
Go through your About page and ensure the tone, intent, and information are accurate and up to date. Update with any new information or change in focus. Refresh your photo to reflect a precise representation of you as of today.
Fill out all contact forms, ensure they work correctly, and ensure submissions go where you want them to.
Double-check your navigation. Is it as clear and concise as it can be? Or are your menus overloaded and confusing? See how you can simplify and improve your navigation to help visitors find what they are looking for.
Review all widgets in your sidebars and footers. Is all the information current and worth the real estate being used?
Check that your installed plugins are tested up to the latest version of WordPress. If a plugin is falling behind, consider swapping it out for one that keeps up.
Go through each plugin’s settings to double-check everything and ensure it is where it needs to be to operate the way you need it to.
Review your website FAQ for accuracy. If you don’t have an FAQ, why not? Add one. Site visitors look for FAQs precisely to get their questions answered. Having an FAQ is a win-win for you and your site visitors.
How long have you had your current look? How old is your theme? If it is longer than a year or two, it may be time for a refresh. In 2026, you need to have a block theme. This will allow you to take advantage of Gutenberg’s neat features and the ongoing Full Site Editing features that will be released in WordPress. Investing in a fresh look is always good for business.
Run a GTMetrix website performance test to review your website’s metrics. Even the most minor changes can have a negative (or positive) impact. Address any noted issues.
Specifically for WordPress eCommerce Websites
For eCommerce websites, ensure all shipping fees are accurate and displayed correctly. USPS, in particular, is constantly raising rates, and other carriers have recently announced increases. You don’t want to lose money on shipping expenses.
Review your pricing structure. With recent inflation, everything costs more. Increase if needed to remain profitable while amplifying your value proposition.
Process a test order to ensure the cart operates correctly and provides the easy experience and information customers desire. Then, always be on the lookout for ways to streamline that process.
Review all product details, specs, and features to ensure each is complete and accurate. Are you providing all the information and facts a customer would need to do business with you? Can you add anything additional that you’ve learned that customers have asked about over the past year?
What about product photos? Are they current? Can they provide more detail?
Having an eCom website means you need packaging supplies. Especially after the holiday season, now is an excellent time to check your stock. While you are at it, consider ways to spruce up your presentation to “Wow!” customers when they open their orders.
Website Review = Improved Results
If you just do these things each year, actually several times a year would be best, you’ll experience better results and ROI. Why? Not doing so can raise red flags with site visitors, who may then gravitate to your competitors. And we don’t want that, do we?
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