Acceptance test

Don't accept a website youhaven't tested

Sixteen evidence-based checks to run before you sign off on a new or redesigned website — printable, fillable, no login required.

WorksheetVersion 1.0Updated

The Website's Website · thewebsiteswebsite.com · Version 1.0 · Updated September 14, 2026

Why this exists

Most launch-day problems aren't visible ones. The homepage looks great, but the contact form has been silently failing since day one, or the sitemap was never submitted, or nobody actually has the login. This worksheet turns "it looks done" into sixteen specific, evidence-based checks — so problems surface before your first customer finds them, not after.

Fill it in on screen or print it. Nothing is submitted anywhere and no sign-up is required — this is yours to keep.

01. Contact-form delivery
What to test
Every contact or quote form on the site actually delivers to an inbox someone checks.
How to test it
Submit each form on the live site with a real but clearly marked test message (e.g. "Acceptance test — please disregard").
Expected result
The message arrives within a few minutes, including a working reply-to address.
02. Click-to-call and email links
What to test
Phone numbers and email addresses that should be clickable actually work.
How to test it
On a real phone, tap every phone number and email link on the site.
Expected result
Tapping a phone number opens the dialer with the correct number; tapping an email opens the mail app addressed correctly.
03. Mobile layout on a real device
What to test
The site is genuinely usable on a real phone, not just a resized browser window.
How to test it
Open the homepage and at least two other key pages on a real phone in portrait orientation; try the navigation menu.
Expected result
Text is readable without zooming, buttons are easy to tap, and nothing overlaps or runs off the screen.
04. Navigation and broken links
What to test
Every menu item and link goes where it should.
How to test it
Click through every item in the main menu, footer, and any obvious in-page links.
Expected result
No "page not found" errors; every link lands on the right page.
05. Correct business information
What to test
Business name, address, phone, email, and hours are accurate everywhere they appear.
How to test it
Compare the footer, contact page, and any structured data against your current real information.
Expected result
Everything matches your real, current details in every place it appears.
06. HTTPS and basic security
What to test
The site loads securely with no browser warnings.
How to test it
Visit the site and look for a padlock icon in the address bar; try loading it with "http://" instead of "https://".
Expected result
The site loads with https:// automatically, no security warning appears, and the padlock shows a valid certificate.
07. Performance
What to test
The site loads reasonably fast on a phone, not just a desktop on office Wi-Fi.
How to test it
Run the site through the complimentary Website Check tool.
Expected result
Core Web Vitals land in the "good" or "needs improvement" range, not "poor."
08. Accessibility basics
What to test
The site is usable with a keyboard, and has reasonable contrast.
How to test it
Tab through the homepage using only the keyboard (no mouse); check that meaningful images have descriptive alt text.
Expected result
You can reach and activate every interactive element with Tab/Enter, with a visible focus outline on each one.
09. Analytics receiving data
What to test
Your analytics tool is actually recording visits.
How to test it
Open the site in a private/incognito window, browse a couple of pages, then check the analytics dashboard's real-time view.
Expected result
Your visit shows up in real-time reporting within a minute or two.
10. Search Console and sitemap
What to test
Google Search Console is connected and the sitemap is submitted.
How to test it
Log into Search Console and check the property is verified and a sitemap is listed under "Sitemaps."
Expected result
The property shows as verified, and the sitemap shows as processed successfully, not an error.
11. Canonicals and indexability
What to test
Pages aren't accidentally blocked from search engines.
How to test it
View the page source (or use an online SEO checker) on the homepage and a few other pages; look for a canonical tag and check for "noindex."
Expected result
Each page has a self-referencing canonical tag and no unexpected "noindex" directive.
12. Social previews
What to test
The site looks right when shared on social media or messaging apps.
How to test it
Paste the homepage URL into a text message to yourself, or use an online social-preview checker tool.
Expected result
A relevant title, description, and image appear — not a blank preview or the wrong image.
13. Domain and account ownership
What to test
You (your business) control the domain registrar and hosting login, not only your provider.
How to test it
Log into the domain registrar and hosting account directly, using credentials you hold. See the Ownership & Buyer Kit for the full list of accounts.
Expected result
You can log in without needing to ask your provider for access in the moment.
14. Backups and export
What to test
A backup or export of the finished site exists somewhere you control.
How to test it
Ask your provider directly how backups work and request a copy, or export what you can yourself.
Expected result
A backup or export exists, and you know how you'd use it if you needed to.
15. Administrator access
What to test
You have an admin-level login to the site's content or management system.
How to test it
Log into the CMS or admin panel yourself, using an account created for you.
Expected result
You can log in and see the admin dashboard, even if you don't plan to make changes yourself.
16. Final owner approval
What to test
You've reviewed the finished site against what you were promised, and you're formally signing off.
How to test it
Compare the delivered site to the proposal or contract; walk through this entire worksheet.
Expected result
Every item above is marked, and any "Fail" items have a documented plan to fix before final payment or sign-off.

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