A Clean WordPress Website Checklist (What We Fix Before We Touch Design)

Source: Dev.to

Most WordPress sites don’t need a “new theme.” They need a cleaner foundation.

When a site isn’t converting, it’s usually one of these: unclear message, messy structure, weak trust, slow load, or a confusing path to action. So before we change colors or layout styles, we fix the basics first.

Checklist

1. Clarify the offer in one sentence

If your hero headline needs extra explanation, it’s too vague. A visitor should understand what you do and who it’s for within a few seconds.

2. Reduce navigation to what matters

Too many menu items creates hesitation. Keep the nav tight. Put the revenue pages up front. Move non‑essential pages to the footer.

3. Choose one primary CTA

One page should push one main action—call, quote, booking, purchase. When you push three actions at once, you reduce all of them.

4. Fix the “above the fold” trust problem

Most sites hide credibility too far down. Add proof early: a short line of outcomes, a logo strip, a small testimonial, or a clear “why us” section. Keep it factual, not emotional.

5. Make mobile spacing readable

On mobile, tight spacing kills readability. Increase line‑height, keep paragraphs short, and don’t stack five small elements on one screen.

6. Clean up headings and section hierarchy

Headings should guide scanning. If a user scrolls fast, the headings alone should still tell the story.

7. Speed hygiene before “optimization”

Start with obvious wins: compress images, remove unused plugins, reduce heavy sliders, and stop loading unnecessary scripts site‑wide.

8. Check forms like a customer

Forms should be simple, fast, and confirm submission properly. Broken forms are silent revenue killers.

Official site: Digillex.com