UX
UX Audit
A practical UX method for combining multiple sources of evidence into a clear, prioritised view of what needs to improve.
How to use UX audits to review the experience as a whole, identify high-impact issues, and build a prioritised roadmap for improvement.
Quick take
If you want a full picture of what’s working, what isn’t, and where to focus, run a UX audit.
Related Services
What it is
A UX audit is a structured review of a product or glossaryServiceA service is a component or function that performs a specific task within a system.Open glossary term that combines multiple methods to assess glossaryUsabilityUsability is how easy and efficient it is for users to complete tasks within a product. It focuses on clarity, simplicity, and reducing effort so users can achieve their goals without confusion or friction.Open glossary term, glossaryPerformancePerformance refers to how quickly and efficiently a system responds to user actions and processes tasks.Open glossary term, and overall experience.
It typically brings together guideExpert ReviewUsing experienced judgement to identify friction, risks, and improvement opportunities across a product or journey.Open guide, guideHeuristic EvaluationReviewing an interface against recognised usability principles to quickly identify and prioritise usability issues.Open guide, analytics, and existing serviceUser ResearchUnderstand user behaviour, validate ideas, and make clearer product decisions with evidence you can act on.Open service to identify issues, gaps, and opportunities.
Rather than focusing on one method, a UX audit looks at the experience as a whole across key glossaryPain PointA specific problem or frustration users experience when trying to complete a task.Open glossary term, glossaryTouchpointAny interaction a user has with a service or brand.Open glossary term, and glossaryInteractionInteraction refers to any action a user takes within a product and how the system responds. It includes clicks, taps, gestures, and inputs that drive the user experience.Open glossary term.
The goal is to provide a clear, prioritised view of what needs to improve and why.
A UX audit is most useful when there is already plenty of information available, but not enough clarity on where to focus next.
When to use it
Use this method when you need a complete understanding of your experience.
It is most useful when:
It is less useful when:
UX audits are often the starting point before deeper research or design work.
Key takeaway
Use a UX audit when you need to synthesize what is already known, diagnose the experience holistically, and turn scattered inputs into a clear plan.
How to run it
Set up properly.
Before you start, be clear on what areas of the product are in scope, what glossaryDataData is raw information collected and stored for analysis, processing, or decision-making.Open glossary term and materials are available, and what outcomes you need.
Define clear objectives to keep the audit focused.
Run the method.
A UX audit combines multiple inputs.
Review key glossaryPain PointA specific problem or frustration users experience when trying to complete a task.Open glossary term and glossaryInteractionInteraction refers to any action a user takes within a product and how the system responds. It includes clicks, taps, gestures, and inputs that drive the user experience.Open glossary term. Apply glossaryUsabilityUsability is how easy and efficient it is for users to complete tasks within a product. It focuses on clarity, simplicity, and reducing effort so users can achieve their goals without confusion or friction.Open glossary term principles and best practice. Analyse analytics and performance data. Review existing research and feedback. Identify issues, risks, and opportunities.
Bring everything together into a single, coherent view.
Capture and make sense of it.
The value comes from synthesis and glossaryPrioritisationPrioritisation is the process of ranking tasks, features, or initiatives based on their importance, impact, and effort.Open glossary term.
Look across inputs to identify high-impact glossaryUsabilityUsability is how easy and efficient it is for users to complete tasks within a product. It focuses on clarity, simplicity, and reducing effort so users can achieve their goals without confusion or friction.Open glossary term issues, glossaryPatternA reusable solution to a common design problem.Open glossary term across glossaryPain PointA specific problem or frustration users experience when trying to complete a task.Open glossary term, gaps in the experience, and opportunities for improvement.
Prioritise based on impact and effort.
What to look for
Focus on:
Where it goes wrong
Most issues come from:
glossaryInsightAn insight is a meaningful understanding that explains why something is happening and what it means.Open glossary term without action has no value.
What you get from it
Done properly, this method gives you:
Key takeaway
It helps you move from confusion to clarity.
Get in touch
If this sounds like something you need, we can run a UX audit that cuts through the noise and shows you exactly where to focus.
No guesswork. No assumptions. Just clear direction you can act on.
FAQ
Common questions
A few practical answers to the questions that usually come up around this method.
What is a UX audit?
A UX audit is a structured review of a product that identifies glossaryUsabilityUsability is how easy and efficient it is for users to complete tasks within a product. It focuses on clarity, simplicity, and reducing effort so users can achieve their goals without confusion or friction.Open glossary term issues and opportunities for improvement.
When should you run a UX audit?
Use it when you need a full understanding of your current experience.
What methods are included in a UX audit?
It often includes guideExpert ReviewUsing experienced judgement to identify friction, risks, and improvement opportunities across a product or journey.Open guide, guideHeuristic EvaluationReviewing an interface against recognised usability principles to quickly identify and prioritise usability issues.Open guide, analytics, and existing serviceUser ResearchUnderstand user behaviour, validate ideas, and make clearer product decisions with evidence you can act on.Open service.
How long does a UX audit take?
It depends on scope, but typically ranges from a few days to a few weeks.
Does a UX audit improve UX?
Yes. It provides a clear, prioritised path to improvement.