The UX Checklist: What to Look for Before You Launch

Launching a new product is exhilarating. You've spent countless hours developing your idea, fine-tuning features, and fixing bugs. But before you hit the launch button, there's one crucial step that can make or break your product's success: ensuring a stellar user experience (UX).

A great UX can be the difference between users embracing your product or abandoning it after a few clicks. That's why we've put together this comprehensive UX checklist to help you double-check everything before you launch.

1. Consistent Layouts Across Pages

Inconsistent layouts confuse users and make your product look unpolished.

• Are headers, footers, and navigation menus consistent across all pages?
• Is spacing, padding, and alignment uniform throughout the design?
• Do interactive elements like buttons and links maintain consistent styles?

Use a design system or style guide to ensure consistency across your product.

2. Visual Design That Looks Professional

Your product's design is often the first impression users have.

• Are your colors, typography, and images visually appealing and aligned with your brand?
• Do you avoid clutter by maintaining a clean, simple design?
• Is your design optimized for different devices and screen sizes?

Use contrast effectively to make important elements stand out and ensure text is easily readable.

3. Copy That Resonates with Your Users

Your messaging needs to speak directly to your audience.

• Is your copy clear, concise, and free of jargon?
• Does it address user pain points and highlight your product's value?
• Are error messages and instructional text helpful and friendly?

Run your copy by someone unfamiliar with your product to ensure it makes sense.

4. Accessibility for All Users

Accessibility isn't optional—it's essential.

• Can users navigate your product using a keyboard?
• Do images have descriptive alt text?
• Is your color contrast sufficient for users with visual impairments?
• Are interactive elements large enough to be easily clicked or tapped?

Use tools like WAVE or Axe to identify and fix accessibility issues.

5. User Flows That Are Intuitive

Complicated or confusing user flows can frustrate users and lead to drop-offs.

• Are common tasks easy to complete with minimal steps?
• Is it clear where users should go next at every step?
• Are form fields labeled clearly, with helpful error handling?

Conduct usability testing with real users to identify any bottlenecks in your flows.

6. Imagery and Colors That Support Your Message

Your visuals should enhance, not distract from, your product's core message.

• Do your images align with your brand and target audience?
• Are icons intuitive and easy to understand?
• Do your colors evoke the right emotions for your product?

Avoid using too many stock photos—they can feel generic and uninspiring.

7. Navigation That Feels Effortless

Poor navigation can leave users feeling lost and frustrated.

• Is your navigation menu easy to find and use?
• Are links labeled clearly so users know where they're going?
• Can users quickly find the information or features they're looking for?

Include a search bar for larger products to help users find what they need quickly.

8. Performance That Keeps Up with User Expectations

A slow product is a bad product.

• Are page load times under 3 seconds?
• Are images and videos optimized for fast loading?
• Does your product perform well even under heavy user traffic?

Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to test and improve your site's performance.

9. Feedback Mechanisms for Continuous Improvement

Your launch isn't the end—it's just the beginning.

• Do you have a feedback system in place for users to report issues or suggest improvements?
• Are you tracking user behavior to identify pain points?
• Are you prepared to iterate quickly based on user feedback?

Consider using tools like Hotjar or Google Analytics to gather user insights.

Final Thoughts: Ready to Launch?

A flawless UX is key to a successful launch. By following this checklist, you can ensure that your product is intuitive, visually appealing, and accessible to all users. But remember, UX is an ongoing process. After launch, keep gathering feedback and iterating to create the best experience possible.

Need a second pair of eyes before launch? UX Eyer is here to help! Our AI-powered Chrome extension evaluates your product's UX, offering tailored insights and actionable feedback. Because sometimes, it takes a fresh perspective to spot what you've missed.

Try UX Eyer for Free and Launch with Confidence! 🚀