What we actually look for in a UX audit.
Not just opinions on layout — a structured look at where users get stuck.
5 min read
A UX audit isn't a subjective critique of colours and fonts. Done properly, it's a structured review of the site against how real users actually behave — where they hesitate, where they give up, and where the design quietly gets in their way. Here's what we check, in roughly the order it matters.
1. Navigation and information architecture
Can a first-time visitor find what they need without hunting for it? We look at whether menu labels match the language customers actually use, whether the most important actions are within easy reach from the homepage, and whether the structure supports both browsing and searching for something specific.
2. Clarity of the core offer
Does the homepage explain what you do and who it's for within the first screen, before any scrolling? A surprising number of sites make visitors work to figure out the offer — burying it under a generic hero image or a slogan that could apply to any business. We check whether that clarity is there immediately.
3. Friction in key conversion paths
Forms, checkout flows and contact pages are where good intentions get lost. We count the actual number of steps and fields required to complete each key path, and flag anything that's asking for information the business doesn't strictly need at that stage — every unnecessary field is a chance for someone to give up.
4. Mobile-specific usability
This is more than confirming the layout fits a smaller screen. We check whether tap targets are large enough, whether forms use the right mobile keyboard types, whether menus and filters are actually comfortable to use one-handed, and whether anything that works fine with a mouse becomes awkward with a thumb.
5. Consistency of UI patterns across pages
Buttons, forms and navigation should behave the same way everywhere on the site. When a primary action looks different from page to page, or a form validates differently depending on where it sits, users have to relearn the interface as they move around — and that inconsistency quietly erodes trust in the rest of the site.
What you actually get
The output isn't a list of opinions — it's a written report with prioritised, actionable recommendations, so you know exactly what to fix first and why. This is what we deliver as part of a Digital Product Audit.