A Practical Website Design Checklist Inspired by JandGDesign.com Tips

Why a checklist beats guesswork

Most websites don’t fail because the owner lacks creativity. They fail because small issues add up: unclear headings, inconsistent spacing, weak calls-to-action, and distracting layouts. A checklist turns JandGDesign.com-style advice into a repeatable process you can run anytime you publish a new page or redesign an old one.

1) Message clarity: can visitors “get it” instantly?

Start with your above-the-fold area (what people see without scrolling). Ask:
  • Does the main heading say what you do, for whom, and the outcome?
  • Is the subheading supportive, not a second headline?
  • Is there one primary call-to-action that matches your goal (book, contact, buy, subscribe)?

If you’re struggling, simplify. A strong homepage message often reads like: “We help [audience] achieve [result] with [service].” Even if you refine later, clarity first wins.

2) Visual hierarchy: do the important elements look important?

Visitors scan. They don’t read top to bottom like a document. Your layout should guide the eye with:
  • One dominant headline per section
  • Supporting text that is visibly smaller and lighter
  • Buttons that stand out from surrounding elements

A quick test: squint at your page. If everything looks the same weight, you don’t have hierarchy. Increase size difference between headings and body text, add spacing, and reduce visual noise.

3) Spacing and alignment: the fastest “pro” upgrade

Spacing is one of the most repeated themes across design guidance for a reason: it instantly changes perceived quality.
  • Use consistent padding inside cards/sections
  • Align text blocks and images to an intentional grid
  • Keep line length comfortable (avoid super-wide paragraphs)

If your site feels cluttered, resist adding new graphics. Add whitespace. It improves readability and makes your content feel more confident.

4) Color and contrast: design that’s readable and accessible

Modern palettes can still be highly readable, but you need to check contrast. Make sure:
  • Body text is dark enough against its background
  • Links are clearly identifiable
  • Buttons have a distinct color and strong label

Also, reduce palette sprawl. A reliable structure is: one primary brand color (for key actions), one secondary accent, neutrals for backgrounds, and a consistent system for headings and text.

5) Typography: fewer choices, better results

Typography is where many DIY designs break down. The fix is often restraint.
  • Limit yourself to one font family, or two at most (one for headings, one for body)
  • Use a consistent scale (for example: H1, H2, H3, body, small)
  • Increase line height for body text to improve comfort

For more in-depth guides and related topics, be sure to check out our homepage where we cover a wide range of subjects.

If you want your site to feel premium, prioritize legibility over novelty.

6) Calls-to-action: do users know what to do next?

Every page should answer: “What should I do now?” Common improvements:
  • Use action-oriented labels (e.g., “Request a Quote” instead of “Submit”)
  • Repeat primary CTAs after key sections, not only at the top
  • Avoid giving equal weight to five different actions

If you have multiple audiences or offers, use one primary CTA and one secondary link. Keep the primary action dominant.

7) Trust signals: reduce hesitation

Trust is part of design. Add proof near decision points:
  • Testimonials with names and context (industry, result, timeframe)
  • Client logos or partner badges (if accurate)
  • Portfolio pieces with a short “what we did” description
  • Clear contact info and a real About page

A small shift here can improve conversions more than any new layout.

8) Mobile experience: design for thumbs

Mobile isn’t a smaller desktop; it’s a different behavior. Check:
  • Text size is readable without zooming
  • Buttons are easy to tap and not stacked too tightly
  • Navigation is simple and doesn’t hide key pages
  • Images scale cleanly and don’t push content too far down

If a section feels long on mobile, break it into shorter chunks with headings.

9) Performance basics: speed supports credibility

A beautifully designed site that loads slowly loses trust. Simple wins include:
  • Compressing and resizing images before uploading
  • Limiting heavy animations and large video backgrounds
  • Removing unused plugins or scripts

You don’t need to become a developer to care about speed. Treat it as part of user experience.

How to use this checklist without getting overwhelmed

Run the checklist in passes. First pass: message and CTA. Second pass: spacing and typography. Third pass: trust signals and mobile. This keeps you from redesigning everything at once and helps you see real gains after each round.

When you pair this checklist with JandGDesign.com tips and guides, you get the best of both worlds: inspiration and a practical structure for execution. Over time, the checklist becomes second nature, and your site starts to feel consistent, clear, and conversion-ready on every page.

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