Even the most well-maintained websites occasionally run into hiccups. If you manage a website, you don’t always need to call a developer at the first sign of trouble. In fact, some of the most common issues can be quickly diagnosed—or at least narrowed down—by applying a few basic troubleshooting principles.
Before escalating to a developer, here are six essential steps to take that will save you time (and money).
1. Clear Your Cache (Browser + Server)
Caching is an invaluable tool for delivering lightning-fast websites, but anyone who works on a website knows it can sometimes get in the way. If you’re experiencing an issue of any kind, the first step is always to try clearing your browser cache or viewing the site in an incognito/private window. And because there are often multiple layers of caching on a site, try purging all of them, including caching plugins or services like Cloudflare.
2. Check the browser console
Your browser’s developer console is one of the most powerful troubleshooting tools at your disposal. Open it (by right-clicking on the page and selecting Inspect or pressing Cmd+Option+J on Mac or Ctrl+Shift+J on Windows) and navigate to the Console tab.
Here, you’ll see any JavaScript errors, warnings, and failed network requests. These can offer valuable clues. For example, if a script from a third-party service is failing to load or a file is returning a 404 error, the console will likely show it. Don’t worry if you don’t understand every line—what you see here might simply reveal which component is acting up. And sometimes just taking a screenshot of the console output is incredibly helpful if you do end up needing a developer’s help.
3. Notice error messages and what is happening
It’s easy to focus on what’s not working (“The form won’t submit!” or “The image doesn’t show up!”), but good troubleshooting starts with what is happening. Is the screen showing up blank after clicking on a button? Are any partial results coming through?
Also, don’t ignore the obvious: if you see a clear error message (especially something server-generated like a 500 error or a plugin warning), write it down exactly. Copy and paste the text, take a screenshot, or both. Error messages are the site’s way of trying to tell you what’s wrong—don’t disregard them.
4. Pay attention to what happened before this started
Understanding the timeline of an issue can provide valuable context. Did the problem start immediately after you updated a plugin, published a new page, or changed a DNS setting? Did someone on your team switch themes or install new tracking code?
Pinpointing when the issue began—and what changed right before that—can often point directly to the root cause. If you can say “The issue started yesterday after I updated Plugin X,” you’ve already made a developer’s job significantly easier.
5. Try other browsers and devices
Sometimes a website problem isn’t with the site itself—it’s with how it’s being displayed or rendered by a specific browser. Try loading the page in another browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) and on a different device (desktop, phone, tablet).
If the issue disappears in another browser or device, you’ve likely uncovered a compatibility or caching issue rather than a full-blown site error. This step helps you isolate whether the problem is browser-specific or more universal.
6. Try other Internet Connections (ISPs)
While less common, some issues are related to network-level problems—especially if you're using a CDN, firewall, or security tool that might be blocking IPs or locations. If your website works on your mobile hotspot but not on your office Wi-Fi, that’s a sign the issue may be network-specific. You can also ask someone in a different location to test the site, or use online tools like Down For Everyone Or Just Me to check accessibility from multiple points.
Final Thoughts
Before you file a support ticket or call your developer in a panic, run through these six steps. They’ll help you gather the information you need to describe the issue clearly—and in many cases, you’ll uncover the solution yourself.
And if you’ve walked through these steps and still feel stuck, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re happy to take a look and help you get things back on track.