Buying a ready-made website is a convenient and quick way to get a working tool for your business. However, to avoid issues with functionality, security, and promotion, it’s essential to thoroughly check the website before purchasing. In this checklist, we will cover the key aspects to consider before buying a ready-made landing page, corporate website, or online store.
1. Technical Condition of the Website
Before purchasing, it’s crucial to ensure that the website runs smoothly and does not have critical errors.
1.1. Code and Loading Speed Check
- HTML & CSS Code Analysis: The website should have clean code, free from unnecessary elements, and comply with HTML5 and CSS3 standards. You can check this using the W3C Validator.
- Loading Speed: A slow website repels users and lowers search rankings. Check the speed with Google PageSpeed Insights. The optimal score is above 80.
1.2. Responsiveness and Cross-Browser Compatibility
- The website should display correctly on mobile devices, tablets, and desktops.
- Check its performance in different browsers: Google Chrome, Safari, Mozilla Firefox, and Edge.
1.3. SSL Certificate and Security
- HTTPS Availability: Without an SSL certificate, the website will be marked as "not secure" in the browser.
- Hacking Protection: Check for vulnerabilities using Sucuri or Google Safe Browsing.
2. SEO Optimization and Search Visibility
2.1. Search Engine Indexing
- Check if the website is indexed in Google by searching: site:example.com
- If pages do not appear in search results, the site may be blocked in robots.txt or penalized by search engines.
2.2. Content Optimization
- Headings (H1, H2, H3): They should be structured correctly and contain relevant keywords.
- Meta Tags (Title, Description): These affect click-through rates in search results.
- Image Alt Attributes: Important for SEO and website accessibility.
2.3. Presence of Harmful Links and Over-Optimization
- Check for spam and low-quality links using Ahrefs or SEMrush.
- If the website has hidden links or excessive keyword stuffing, this can negatively impact its ranking.
3. Design and User Experience (UX/UI)
3.1. Modern and Responsive Design
- The website should look professional and align with UX/UI trends.
- Test usability with tools like Hotjar (heatmaps for user behavior analysis).
3.2. Logical Structure
- Users should easily find the necessary information and perform target actions (purchase, service order, etc.).
- Menus and buttons should be visible and user-friendly.
3.3. Image and Content Quality
- Ensure that there are no blurry images or outdated stock photos.
- Content should be unique and plagiarism-free (check with Copyscape).
4. Content and Ownership Rights
4.1. Copyrights for Images and Texts
- Verify that all images, texts, and fonts legally belong to the website owner.
- Using unlicensed content can result in fines or legal claims.
4.2. Customer Database (If Available)
- If the website has been previously used, check if customer contact details are transferred along with their consent for data processing.
- Ensure that the database complies with GDPR requirements if you plan to operate in the EU.
5. Functionality and Integrations
5.1. Form and Inquiry Testing
- All contact forms, subscriptions, and callback requests should work properly.
- Ensure that inquiries are correctly delivered to the designated email or CRM system.
5.2. Integration with External Services
- If the website is connected to a CRM, payment systems (PayPal, Stripe), or analytics tools (Google Analytics, Yandex.Metrica), check their functionality.
6. Legal and Financial Aspects
6.1. Domain and Hosting
- Ensure that domain ownership is transferred to you and does not remain with the previous owner.
- If the website is hosted on a server, check the terms of transfer and access to the server.
6.2. Licenses and Templates
- If the website uses paid plugins or templates, verify that the licenses are transferred to you.
- Illegal copies may lead to functionality issues after updates.
6.3. Pricing and Agreement
- Sign an agreement outlining all terms of rights transfer and payment.
- Avoid deals without a written contract.
Conclusion
Buying a ready-made website is a convenient solution, but it is essential to check its technical condition, SEO optimization, legal ownership, and functionality in advance. Use this checklist to avoid issues after the purchase.
If you're looking for high-quality, pre-verified landing pages, check out the landing page store, where you can buy a ready-made website with optimized design and SEO.
