Waiting for a new website is like waiting for the keys to a new office. It's an exciting moment, full of hope for growth, new clients, and increased profits. Finally, the agency announces: "Ready! You can collect." It's at this moment, before euphoria takes over, that it's worth stepping into the role of a meticulous inspector. Accepting the website is a crucial stage that determines whether your new web presence will be a solid tool for making money or just a pretty but non-functional image.

At Sinton Agency, we understand perfectly that our clients are experts in their fields - they don't have to be IT specialists. That's why we've prepared this comprehensive guide, written in simple and understandable language. Step by step, we'll guide you through the website acceptance process, so you can be absolutely sure that the investment you've made will bring the expected results. You don't need technical knowledge for this. Just a moment of your time, our checklist, and a cup of coffee. Let's get started!

First Impression - Visual consistency and compliance with the design

Before you start clicking on individual elements, look at the site as a whole. This is your first line of verification, a visual assessment. Open the site on a large computer screen and ask yourself some basic questions. Is the overall appearance consistent with the graphic design you approved earlier? Often, during the design phase, we operate on static images, and only on the live site can we see how all the elements work together. Pay attention to the color scheme. Are the company colors precisely rendered? Are the shades of blue, green, or gray the same as in your logo and marketing materials? The devil is in the details, and consistency builds a professional brand image.

The next step is to check the typography, i.e., the fonts. Are the same typefaces used across all subpages for headings, texts, and buttons? Are their sizes readable and aesthetically chosen? It's important that the text is easy on the eyes without the need to squint. Also, check the quality of all graphics and photos. Are the photographs sharp and not looking blurry? Are the icons clear and stylistically matching each other? Low-quality graphics can ruin even the best project and make the site look cheap and unprofessional. Don't forget about the logo. Is it placed in the proper location (usually the upper left corner), and does it lead to the homepage when clicked? This is a standard that internet users are accustomed to.

Functionality, or does everything work as it should?

Appearance is one thing, but the real test of a website is its functionality. Now it's time to click! Your goal is to test every interactive element. Start with the main menu - navigation. Click through each link and each item in the dropdown menu. Do all the links lead to the correct subpages? Do none of them return a 404 error (page not found)? This is fundamental. If a user can't find what they're looking for, they'll leave your site in seconds.

Next, move to the forms - they're often the heart of the site, generating inquiries from clients. Find the contact form and fill it with test data. Check what happens after clicking the "Send" button. Does a thank you message appear? More importantly, did the test message arrive in your email inbox? Sometimes emails end up in the SPAM folder - it's also worth checking before acceptance. If you have more complex forms on the site, like a newsletter subscription or a service calculator, each of them should be tested in the same way. Also, pay attention to field validation - does the system inform you if you forget to enter an email address or phone number in the required format?

Now it's time for the other links on the site. Click on all the buttons ("Call to Action"), such as "Learn more", "See the offer", "Buy now". Review the content of blog or news posts and check if the links in the text work correctly. Don't forget about social media links. Do the Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn icons lead to your company's profiles? Also, check the site's footer - there are usually links to the privacy policy and terms. Make sure these documents are linked and accessible to users.

A mobile site is a Necessity - Testing responsiveness

Today, most internet traffic takes place on smartphones. If your site doesn't work well on a phone, it's like your business is closed to more than half of your potential clients. Therefore, testing responsiveness, i.e., how the site adjusts to different screen sizes, is absolutely critical. You don't need special tools for this. Just pick up your smartphone and go to the new site. See how it presents itself. Is the text readable without the need to zoom in? Do the images and graphics scale correctly and don't go off-screen?

Try using the navigation. Does the menu change to a so-called "hamburger" (three horizontal lines), and is it convenient to navigate the site after clicking it? Test clicking buttons and links using your thumb. Are they large enough and placed at appropriate intervals to easily hit them? This is very important from a usability perspective. Also, fill out the contact form on your phone. Is it comfortable? Does the keyboard not cover important fields? View the site in both portrait and landscape orientation. Ideally, you'd check it on several different phone models (e.g., with Android and iOS) and on a tablet if you have the opportunity. Every detail matters for the mobile user's comfort.

Content is king - Check every word and image

Agencies often work with the texts provided by the client or with so-called "lorem ipsum" - placeholder texts. Your task at the acceptance stage is to ensure that all target content has been implemented correctly. Read each paragraph carefully on every subpage. Look for typos, grammatical, and punctuation errors. Even a small mistake can undermine your professional image in the eyes of the client. Check that all headings and subheadings are in place and format the text correctly, dividing it into logical, easy-to-grasp sections.

Make sure no placeholder texts are left. Thoroughly review the entire site for phrases like "service description goes here" or "image to be replaced". This is a common oversight that looks very unprofessional. Check the contact information - address, phone number, email, tax ID. Are they 100% correct? If you run a local business, for example, in Łódź or Warsaw, correct address information and integrated Google map are key to attracting clients from your area. Check if the map on the site indicates the correct location. Also, make sure all product, team members, or project photos are in the right places and display in good quality.

SEO Basics - The Foundation of your visibility on Google, ChatGPT, and Search Engines

You don't have to be an SEO expert to check a few key elements that have a huge impact on how your site is "seen" by Google. These are the so-called SEO (Search Engine Optimization) basics, which a good agency should take care of already at the site creation stage. The first element is the site's title (meta title). This is the text you see on the browser tab at the very top and as the main, clickable headline in Google search results. Each subpage should have a unique, meaningful title that describes its content and includes your company name. For example, for a gardening design offer subpage in Poznań, a good title would be: "Gardening Design Poznań - Professional Services | Company Name".

The second element is the page description (meta description). This is a short text visible under the title in the search results, designed to encourage the user to click. Check if your key subpages (main, offer, contact) have prepared such descriptions. You can do this by entering Google site:yourdomain.com - you'll see how Google indexes your subpages. Also, pay attention to the header structure in the content. The text on the site should be organized hierarchically. The most important title on the page is the H1 header (there should be one per subpage), followed by less important ones, H2, H3, etc. This helps Google bots understand the theme of your site. Ask the agency if it has taken care of these basic elements.

Technical and administrative - Taking control

The last stage of acceptance is formalities and assuming full control over your new tool. This is an extremely important part, which many entrepreneurs forget about. First, make sure you receive all necessary access data from the agency. This primarily refers to the login and password to the site's admin panel (the so-called CMS, like Framer or Webflow). This system allows you to independently edit content, add new blog posts, or change photos. Ask the agency for brief training on the most important features. You should feel comfortable performing simple tasks like editing a phone number or adding updates.

Check if the site has an SSL certificate installed. It's that small padlock next to the address in the browser that ensures the connection is encrypted and secure. Today, it's an absolute standard, and sites without SSL are marked by browsers as "unsecured", which deters users. Also, ask about integrating analytical tools, most often Google Analytics and Meta Pixel. This system allows you to track site traffic: how many users visit it, where they come from, which subpages are the most popular. Without this data, you'll be in the dark.

This is directly related to the matter of cookies and GDPR compliance. Almost every modern site uses "cookies" - small files stored on the user's computer that serve, among other things, for analytics. According to the law (GDPR), you must inform visitors about this fact and obtain their explicit consent to their use. Check if your new site has a visible cookie information banner. It's crucial that it's not just an information bar, but a system that truly asks for consent (e.g., with "I agree" / "Accept all" buttons) and allows for managing these consents. Also, make sure that the site has a linked (usually also accessible in the footer), easily accessible Privacy Policy that details what data you collect and how. Neglecting this aspect can lead to legal issues; therefore, it is one of the mandatory points for verification.

Finally, make sure you know what is covered by the warranty and technical support after the site is accepted. A good agency, such as Sinton, remains a partner for its clients and offers assistance even after the project is completed.

Thoroughly checking the site before the final acceptance is an investment that pays off. It gives you peace of mind and assurance that your new website is ready to conquer the internet and attract new clients. Remember, the agency is your partner, and submitting feedback at this stage is natural. The common goal is to create a site that both parties will be proud of.