For many business owners, getting a new website is an exciting milestone. It represents growth, professionalism, and a new way to reach customers. But when a seller or developer delivers a website, buyers often focus only on how it looks. That’s a mistake. A website that looks good but doesn’t function properly can create problems within days of launch.
From my experience as a developer, I’ve seen buyers accept a site happily—only to come back frustrated later because the forms didn’t work, the site was too slow, or it wasn’t mobile-friendly. These issues can be avoided if buyers know what to check before accepting delivery.
Here’s a complete checklist that every buyer should go through.
🌐 Favicon & Title
The favicon (the tiny icon in your browser tab) and the site title may look like small details, but they create the first impression of your brand. If these are missing, your site will feel incomplete. Always make sure your brand is visible at the very top.
🔗 Links & Buttons
Broken links and inactive buttons can ruin user experience. As a buyer, you should click through every page, menu item, and button before approving the site. Check call-to-action buttons like “Contact Us” or “Buy Now” to ensure they actually work.
🖼️ Images
A website full of heavy, unoptimized images will feel slow. Ask your seller if the images are compressed and web-optimized. Open a few pages yourself and see how quickly they load.
📱 Mobile & Tablet View
Most of your customers will visit your site from a phone. Open your website on your own mobile and tablet, not just on a computer. Make sure text, images, and buttons adjust nicely on small screens.
⚡ Loading Speed
Speed is not optional. Run a simple speed test on free tools like GTmetrix or PageSpeed Insights. If your site takes more than 3–4 seconds to load, ask your seller to improve it before you accept.
🛡️ Security & Backup
Even if your site is brand new, hackers or technical errors can cause trouble. Confirm with your seller that a basic security setup and backup system are in place. This ensures your website can be restored if anything goes wrong.
📝 Content & Forms
Typos and broken forms look unprofessional. Read through your homepage, about page, and service/product descriptions. Test every form—contact, newsletter, or checkout. Make sure you actually receive the emails when forms are submitted.
✨ Final Tip: Incognito Test
Before giving final approval, open your site in Incognito/Private Mode. This clears cookies and cached files, letting you see exactly what a new visitor sees. It’s the best way to spot overlooked issues.
Conclusion
Accepting a website delivery is not just about checking design—it’s about ensuring functionality, performance, and security. Buyers who spend just 20–30 minutes reviewing these points save themselves from future headaches and unexpected costs.
Remember: once you approve delivery, fixing these issues may take extra time or money. That’s why a careful check before final acceptance protects your investment.
A professional seller will appreciate your attention to detail, and you’ll walk away with a website that’s not only beautiful but also ready to perform.
