Keeping your website healthy is like going to the doctor. You don’t wait until something breaks. You check in regularly. That’s why Quarterly Site Health Reviews are so useful. They help you catch problems early, stay organized, and keep your website running smoothly.
But what does a review actually look like? Let’s break it down into a simple, repeatable agenda that anyone can follow. You don’t need to be a tech wizard. Just follow these steps, quarter after quarter.
Why Do a Quarterly Review?
Your site is your digital storefront. If it’s slow, broken, or outdated, your visitors will go elsewhere. These reviews give you a chance to:
- Spot technical issues before they cause damage
- Improve user experience, based on data and trends
- Update outdated content and freshen things up
- Monitor site speed and performance
- Test forms and CTAs to make sure they still work
Bonus: Doing this every three months keeps you from getting overwhelmed later, like during a big redesign or emergency.
The Agenda: Simple, Clear, Repeatable
Here’s a tried-and-true agenda you can use. Modify it as needed for your own team or clients, but the basic flow works almost anywhere.
1. Intro & Goals (5-10 minutes)
Kick off the review by going over the purpose. Ask yourself or your team:
- What are we trying to improve this quarter?
- Did we fix last quarter’s issues?
This keeps everyone aligned and focused.
2. Site Performance Check (15-20 minutes)
This is where we look at the engines under the hood.
- Check loading speeds using tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix.
- Look for large, unoptimized images or videos slowing things down.
- Review uptime reports. Any crashes or downtime?
Fixing even one slow-loading page can boost conversions.
3. Content Health (20-30 minutes)
Next, examine your text, images, and media. Ask:
- Are any pages or blogs out of date?
- Are links working?
- Do visuals still match your brand?
This is also a good time to flag typos, old headlines, or sections that feel stale. Keep a running list of what needs to be updated.
4. SEO + Analytics Review (20 minutes)
Time to dive into the data. But don’t worry—it’s not too scary.
- Check which pages are getting traffic and which aren’t.
- Review bounce rates and average session durations.
- Use tools like Google Search Console to find crawl errors or broken links.
- See which keywords you rank for—and which you’ve dropped on.
This helps you adjust your SEO strategy and make improvements with purpose.
5. UX and Functionality Testing (15-25 minutes)
Put yourself in your user’s shoes. Literally.
- Click every CTA button—does it take you where it should?
- Submit every form—do the emails land?
- Try it on desktop, tablets, and phones.
Broken forms mean lost leads. Poor mobile layout means frustrated users. Small fixes can make a big splash here.
6. Accessibility and Compliance (10-15 minutes)
This part is often forgotten—but very important.
- Is your text readable with good contrast?
- Are images using alt text?
- Can users navigate with only a keyboard?
Accessibility not only expands your audience—it’s good for SEO and often required by law.
7. Security Checkup (10 minutes)
Better safe than hacked.
- Make sure SSL certificates are up to date.
- Update all plugins, themes, and software.
- Check for weird logins or flagged activity.
Running routine checks helps catch red flags early before they become full-blown security emergencies.
8. To-Dos & Action Steps (15 minutes)
Don’t just find problems—schedule fixes.
- List each issue found and assign it to someone.
- Set a deadline or add it to your project tracker.
- Follow up next quarter on what was completed.
This step turns insight into action—which is the whole point of the review.
Make It Fun (Really!)
A quarterly review doesn’t have to be boring. Add some energy and a little humor. Try these ideas:
- Give silly awards. (“Longest Page Load Time” or “404 of the Quarter”)
- Bring snacks or coffee if meeting in person.
- Use emojis or GIFs in the agenda if your team’s into it!
When people enjoy the process, they’re more likely to participate and follow through.
Pro Tips for Success
- Put it on the calendar. Don’t skip it just because things are “fine.”
- Use the same checklist each time. Consistency is key.
- Invite others to chime in. Designers, marketers, or even customer service can add insight.
- Document decisions. Take notes and save them. Your future self will thank you.
The more systemized your review is, the easier and more powerful it becomes over time.
Final Thoughts
Your website isn’t “set it and forget it.” It’s alive. It changes. So should your approach to managing it.
Running quarterly site health reviews gives you regular checkpoints. You stay ahead of problems, improve little by little, and build a site that actually works for your users—and for your goals.
Don’t wait until something breaks. Pull out this agenda, gather your team (or go solo if needed), and do your next review. Once you do it a few times, it becomes a habit. A really good one.
Happy reviewing!