Last updated: October 5, 2026 · 3 min read · By Ali Raza
A UX audit reviews a website or app against proven usability principles and real user behaviour to find what confuses or slows people down. Check navigation and structure, clarity of content, forms and inputs, feedback and errors, accessibility, mobile use and performance, then rank issues by how many users they affect and how badly. Fixing the top issues often removes the need for a full redesign.
Redesigns are expensive and risky. Before starting one, it is worth knowing exactly what is wrong with the current product. A UX audit gives you that list, based on evidence rather than opinions.
Use these 20 checks on your key pages and workflows.
Seven areas of a UX audit
Navigation and structure
- Can a new user find the three most important tasks within seconds?
- Do menu labels use the words your users use, not internal jargon?
- Is it always clear where you are (page titles, active states, breadcrumbs)?
- Does search work and handle typos?
Clarity
- Does each page or screen have one clear purpose and primary action?
- Is text short, specific and scannable?
- Are buttons labelled with what they do (“Send invoice”, not “OK”)?
- Are empty states helpful, explaining what to do next?
Forms and inputs
- Do forms ask only what is needed?
- Are labels visible and errors explained next to the field?
- Are sensible defaults and autocomplete used?
Feedback and errors
- Does the system confirm actions (saved, sent, deleted)?
- Can users undo mistakes or confirm destructive actions?
- Do loading states show progress for slow operations?
Accessibility and mobile
- Is text contrast sufficient and is everything usable by keyboard? See our WCAG checklist.
- Are tap targets large enough and layouts usable on small screens?
- Does content reflow at 200% zoom without breaking?
Performance and consistency
- Do key screens load and respond quickly?
- Are components, colours and wording consistent across the product?
- Do analytics or recordings show where users abandon tasks?
How do you prioritise what you find?
Score each issue by frequency (how many users hit it), impact (how badly it blocks them) and effort to fix. Fix high-impact, low-effort issues first. If inconsistency is a recurring theme, a design system may help. If data screens are the problem, see our dashboard design guide.
Should you test with real users?
Yes, if possible. Watching even five users try key tasks reveals problems an expert review misses. Prototypes let you test fixes before building them; see wireframes, mockups and prototypes. Our UI/UX design service starts with a free UX review.
Frequently asked questions
What is a UX audit?
A structured review of a website or app against usability principles and user behaviour data that identifies what confuses or slows users, with prioritised fixes.
How long does a UX audit take?
It depends on the number of screens and workflows. A focused audit of key journeys is a short project; a full product audit takes longer.
Is a UX audit worth it before a redesign?
Yes. It shows what actually needs changing, and fixing the top issues sometimes removes the need for a full redesign.
How many users do I need for usability testing?
Testing with around five users per round reveals many of the most common problems; repeat after making changes.