The professional website checklist: 49 things to check before and after you publish

Updated 3 October 2026 · 6 min read

Most professional websites do not fail because of one big mistake. They fail because of a dozen small gaps: an old phone number, no city in the title, a photograph that is too large, no way to book. This checklist gathers the whole series into an order of work. Print it or keep it on your phone, tick items off, and come back every quarter. Each group points to the guide that explains it in full.

The short answer

Work in order: decide, build, add trust, make yourself findable, then keep it alive.
Most items take minutes. The ones that take longer are the photograph, the bio and the reviews.
Check every contact detail on a real phone before you tell anyone about the page.
Put a reminder in your calendar every three months to run the last section.

How to use this list

Each line is something you can check yes or no. If the answer is no, the guide named beside the group explains how to fix it. You do not need to do everything at once: finish groups 1 to 4 before you share the page, and groups 5 and 6 in the first weeks.

1. Before you build

See the best way to build a professional website and one page or several.

I know who my page is for, in one sentence.
I know the one action I want a visitor to take first.
I have my name, role, place, phone, email and hours written down once, in the form I want to use everywhere.
I have checked what my regulator or professional body says about advertising and websites, if I have one.
I have chosen a web address I will be happy to print for years. See choosing a web address.
I have a recent photograph. See a professional headshot with your phone.
I have gathered what I already have: a card, brochure, CV or price list. See from business card to website.

2. The page itself

See what to put on your website, headline formulas and how to write a bio.

My name and role are at the top, large and exactly as I want them.
A headline under my name says what I do and for whom, in plain words.
The first screen on a phone shows my name, what I do, a photograph and one main button.
My bio is in my own voice, short, and says what I do for clients, not only my history.
My services are listed with a sentence each.
I have given some indication of price, or explained how I charge. See should you show your prices.
My city or area is stated in plain text.
My opening hours or availability are shown, if relevant.
My qualifications and registration numbers are shown exactly as they appear on the register, if my profession requires them.
I have read every word aloud, and nothing in it sounds like a brochure.

3. Trust

See testimonials that build trust and the guide for your profession, such as lawyers, doctors or therapists.

I use no “best”, “leading”, “guaranteed” or promises of results that my profession forbids.
Any client words I show are genuine, used with permission and not edited to mislead.
Any required notices, such as a regulator statement, are in place.
I do not show client names, photographs or details without written permission.
My real face and real place are visible.
I have a short privacy notice if I collect any personal data. See privacy notice and cookies.
I use no tracking cookies, or I ask for consent where the law requires it.
I have an accessibility line with a way to ask for another format. See website accessibility.

4. Contact

See booking link, WhatsApp or contact form and professional email.

There is one clear main way to contact me, and the button says what happens next.
My phone number is text I can tap, not an image.
My email uses an address I own and is not a shared or free personal mailbox, if I can help it.
I have tested every button and link on my own phone, on mobile data.
I have sent myself a test message through the form and it arrived.
I say when I reply, and I do.
If I use WhatsApp, the link works and uses a number I am happy to make public.

5. Being found

See page titles and descriptions, Google Business Profile setup, directories by country and structured data.

My page title reads like “Name, Role in Place”.
My description is a clear sentence of under about 160 characters.
My Google Business Profile is claimed, verified and complete, with the same name, address and phone as my page. (Skip if you have no premises or service area.)
I am listed in the directories or registers that matter for my profession and country, with identical details.
My LinkedIn and other profiles link to my page and use the same wording.
I have searched for my name, and for what I do plus my city, as a stranger would.
I have asked an AI assistant about myself and noted anything wrong. See check what AI says about you. Or try the AI visibility self-check.
Old or wrong listings are corrected or removed. See remove old or negative listings.
I have asked happy clients for reviews, in line with the rules. See how to get Google reviews.

6. Speed, safety and keeping it alive

See website speed, keeping your website and name safe and mobile first.

My photographs are compressed and the page opens quickly on mobile data.
The page loads with “https://” and a padlock.
My email, domain and site accounts use unique passwords and two-step sign-in.
My domain, if I have one, is registered in my name and set to renew.
I have searched for fake copies of my page and photograph.
I have a calendar reminder to review everything every three months.
Every price, hour and name on the page is still true today.
I have a way to know how clients find me, such as a “How did you find me?” question.

Every three months

Tap every contact route on your phone.
Re-read the page and fix anything out of date.
Search for your name and your service plus your city. Note what appears.
Ask an AI assistant about yourself again.
Count enquiries and where they came from.
Ask one new client for a review or a few honest words.
Update your photograph if you have changed.

Where BeVisible fits

BeVisible builds items from groups 2 to 5 for you as you type, and has a “Get found” checklist inside the builder that points to the profiles and listings that matter. The rest is yours: your facts, your words, your replies. You can build and preview free, and publish free for 7 days with no card needed; after that one yearly plan keeps a website online, and one plan covers one website. Start from a photo or type your details.

Frequently asked questions

What should a professional website include?

Your name and role, a headline that says what you do and for whom, a short bio, your services, some idea of price, your place and hours, a clear way to contact you, any notices your profession requires, and honest proof such as client words with permission. This checklist groups them in order.

In what order should I do these things?

Decide first, then build the page, then add trust, then make yourself easy to find, then keep it alive. Finish the first four groups before sharing the page.

How often should I review my website?

Every three months, and after any change to your phone, address, hours, prices or services.

Can I print this checklist?

Yes. Use your browser’s print option, or save the page as a PDF.

Do I need everything on the list?

No. Some items depend on your profession or country. The core is a clear first screen, accurate details, a working contact route, trust and consistency across places.