15 Essential Questions to Ask Your Web Developer

Your website is often the first impression your customers or clients have of your brand, and we all know how important first impressions can be. But it’s not just about having a site that looks good—it’s about ensuring everything runs smoothly, is optimized for search engines, and delivers a top-notch user experience.

Feeling a bit overwhelmed? That’s where your web developer or manager comes in. Asking the right questions can make all the difference. 

Here are 15 thoughtful questions to help ensure your website is performing at its best. Let’s dive in. 

1. Have You Checked the Entire Site for Broken Links?

Broken links are more than an annoyance; they damage your credibility and can negatively affect your SEO. Regularly clicking through your website ensures everything leads to the right place. You can also use tools like Google Search Console or Broken Link Checker to make this process faster and more thorough.

Why it matters:

• Visitors lose trust when they hit dead links.
• Google may penalize you for poor user experience.

Pro Tip: Keep a list of key external links and update them quarterly to avoid surprises.

2. Are All Mentions of Covid-19 Removed?

Outdated references, like COVID-19 policies, can make your site look stale. If you had banners, announcements, or landing pages dedicated to pandemic-specific services, review them to ensure they’re still relevant—or remove them altogether.

Why it matters:

• Modern customers expect up-to-date content.
• Stale content can impact your brand’s image.

3. Are All Names, Alt Tags, and Metadata Accurate? 

Alt tags are vital for both accessibility and SEO. Make sure every image has a clear, descriptive tag that conveys its purpose. For example, “team-meeting.jpg” might become “Employees collaborating during a team meeting.” Similarly, check your meta descriptions and title tags for consistency and accuracy.

Why it matters:

• Alt tags make your site accessible to users with disabilities.
• Proper metadata improves your visibility in search results.

4. Are You Using the Yoast SEO Plugin Effectively?

Yoast SEO is a powerful tool for optimizing your site, but it only works if set up correctly. Ensure it’s being used to implement schema markup (which helps search engines understand your content) and optimize keywords and readability.

Why it matters:

• Better schema markup can lead to rich search results (like FAQs or star ratings).
• Yoast helps maintain SEO best practices across your pages.

5. Is the Footer Page Set to No-Follow, No-Index?

Many websites include footer links to pages like privacy policies or terms and conditions. These pages don’t add value to search engines and can dilute your SEO efforts. Confirm they’re tagged as no-follow and no-index.

Why it matters:

• It prevents irrelevant pages from appearing in search results.
• It strengthens the focus on your high-value content.

6. Are Template Pages from the Website Theme Showing Up?

Default template pages from your website’s theme (like “sample page”) should never be live or indexed by search engines. Ensure your developer deletes or blocks these placeholder pages.

Why it matters:

• Indexed template pages confuse search engines.
• They make your site appear unfinished.

7. Do Key Stakeholders Have Their Own Pages?

If you have team leaders, board members, or important contributors, dedicating a page to each person can enhance credibility and make it easier for visitors to find relevant information.

Why it matters:

• Personalized pages highlight your team’s expertise.
• They’re great for SEO if optimized with keywords related to each individual’s role.

8. Are Categories and Tags Being Indexed?

Indexing blog categories or tags may seem harmless, but Google can see this as duplicate content. For example, if your blog is tagged with “Marketing Tips” and categorized under “Digital Marketing,” both might show similar posts, triggering duplicate content penalties.

Why it matters:

• Prevents unnecessary duplication in search results.
• Protects your site’s ranking from Google penalties.

9. Are Placeholder or Unfinished Pages Being Indexed?

Pages with “Coming Soon” text or placeholder content shouldn’t be accessible or indexed. They offer no value and can harm your SEO rankings.

Why it matters:

• Placeholder content looks unprofessional.
• It signals to search engines that your site isn’t ready.

Pro Tip: Use a password-protected staging site to preview incomplete pages instead of publishing them live.

10. Are URLs Clean and Date-Free?

A clean URL structure is critical for both user experience and SEO. Avoid URLs that include dates (like “/2024/01/”) or numbers (“top-5-tips”) as they can quickly become outdated. Instead, opt for timeless, descriptive URLs like “/website-management-tips.”

Why it matters:

• Clean URLs improve click-through rates.
• They’re easier to remember and share.

11. Are Reposted Blogs Updated with Fresh Dates?

When you republish old blog content, it’s essential to change the posting date to signal its relevance to search engines. However, the update should go beyond just the date—add new insights, statistics, or examples to make it worthwhile for readers.

Why it matters:

• Google prioritizes fresh content.
• Updated blogs can attract new traffic without creating brand-new content.

12. Have You Checked Domain Authority Before Migrating?

Before switching domain names, compare the domain authority (DA) of your current and potential new domains. A sudden drop in DA can negatively impact your SEO, so plan your migration carefully.

Why it matters:

• Protects the SEO equity you’ve built.
• Minimizes traffic loss during the transition.

Pro Tip: Use tools like Moz or Ahrefs to check domain authority.

13. Are Deleted Pages Redirected?

Never delete a page without setting up a redirect. Redirects ensure that visitors and search engines are guided to the next most relevant page, keeping traffic flowing smoothly.

Why it matters:

• Prevents 404 errors, which frustrate users.
• Helps preserve SEO rankings for the deleted page.

14. Do You Have a Custom 404 Page?

No matter how carefully you manage your site, users will occasionally land on 404 pages. Make the most of these moments with a custom page that includes helpful navigation links or redirects to your blog.

Why it matters:

• Keeps users engaged instead of losing them.
• Reflects your brand’s tone and personality.

15. Are Stakeholders Actively Involved?

Your website isn’t just a technical asset—it’s a reflection of your organization. Key stakeholders (like team leaders or executives) should periodically review the site to ensure it aligns with your brand’s goals and messaging.

Why it matters:

• Fresh perspectives can spot overlooked issues.
• Helps align your website with business objectives.

Final Notes

Managing a website is a continuous process. By asking these 15 questions, you can catch potential problems early, ensure a polished user experience, and improve your site’s search engine performance. Regularly revisiting these areas with your web developer ensures your website stays up-to-date, functional, and aligned with your goals. After all, a well-maintained website isn’t just good for SEO—it’s good for your audience and your bottom line.

Need a Little Help With Your Website?

At Digital Storyteller, we recognize that these changes might be beyond your team’s expertise. We know, it’s a lot of work—which is why we’re here to help.Contact our team at Digital Storyteller today to learn more about how we can support your upcoming website design