Don’t Let a Broken Website Steal Your Big Moment

Let me tell you a quick story.

A woman I recently spoke with wrote a book. A good one. She poured her heart into it, did all the work — the writing, the editing, the sleepless nights — and then she did what most of us would do next: hired someone to help her sell it online.

She paid *real* money to get a fancy landing page built. The whole thing looked sharp. But there was just one problem. It didn’t work. Not for her customers. Not when it mattered.

It only worked when *she* was logged in.

That’s the kind of gut-punch no author or entrepreneur should ever have to face — especially after spending their entire launch budget.

And the thing is… this isn’t rare.

Most people don’t know how to properly test what’s been built for them — and many web folks forget (or fail) to teach them.

So let’s change that. Below are a few ways anyone, even with zero technical experience, can make sure their website or landing page actually works *before* sending traffic to it.

Test Your Site Like a Stranger Would

Here’s how you can do a quick DIY test to catch common issues — no tech background required.

1. Open the site in “Incognito” or “Private” mode

Why: This lets you browse as if you’re not logged in — just like your customers. How:

• On Chrome: Press Ctrl+Shift+N (Windows) or ⌘+Shift+N (Mac)
• On Safari or Firefox: Look for “New Private Window” in the File menu

Visit your site this way, and click around. Does everything still load? Do any errors pop up?

2. Try it on your phone

Why: Mobile makes up the majority of web traffic now. You *have* to test your mobile experience. How:

• Pull up the site on your phone using the link you’ll be sharing
• Click every button
• Try filling out any form fields
• Scroll from top to bottom

Bonus tip: Try it on a friend’s phone too. You’d be surprised how different things can look across devices.

3. Ask someone who owes you a favor

Why: You already know how your site “should” work. Someone else won’t — and that’s exactly the point. How:

• Send the link to a friend or family member
• Ask them to walk through it without your help
• Watch them do it (on Zoom or in person)
• Ask: “Was anything confusing?” “Would *you* click that button?”

The goal here isn’t to be perfect — it’s to catch friction before your audience does.

4. Use a free tool to spot technical issues

These are simple to use and can help you uncover bigger problems like slow loading, mobile usability issues, or broken links. Try these:

• Web Page Test (speed + performance)
• HubSpot Website Grader (general audit)

Just paste in your site’s URL and review the results. If you see red flags, forward the report to your web person and say: “Hey, can we fix this?”

🧪 5. Try the actions you want others to take

If your site includes things like:

• A contact form
• A checkout
• An email signup
• A “buy now” button

Make sure *you* go through the entire process as a stranger would. You should:

✅ Fill out the form

✅ Click the buttons

✅ Complete a test purchase (if possible)

✅ Confirm you get the right emails or messages afterward

Final Thought: You Deserve a Site That Works

A beautiful website that doesn’t work is worse than no website at all. I know testing can feel intimidating, but these steps aren’t just doable — they’re critical. You don’t need to be a developer to catch basic issues. You just need to think like your customer. Whether you’re launching a book, a product, or a nonprofit initiative — don’t skip this step. Your story deserves to be seen, and your site should *help*, not hinder, that.

Want a Quick Audit?

If all of this still feels like too much, or you just want a second set of eyes, reach out. We do quick website audits for small businesses and creators all the time — and we’ll help make sure your site is doing what it’s supposed to do: WORK.