What the reader needs

A download button should identify the document clearly and deliver a file that matches the surrounding description. Check the title, version, format and any access requirement. A reader should not open a financial overview and discover an unrelated sales deck or an obsolete draft. If a document is large or requires a particular viewing experience, set that expectation honestly rather than hiding the practical detail behind a dramatic call to action.

How to review it

Test the link from the published page on a phone and a desktop device. Confirm the file opens, the main text is legible and the internal links work. Inspect the filename so it is meaningful when saved outside the website. Review whether the download is available to the intended audience without an accidental account requirement. Keep a record of the approved file version and update the button whenever that version changes. Recheck the live link after deployment or storage changes.

Imagine this

Hypothetical example

A publication offers a growth-plan PDF. Before launch, the team finds that the button points to an earlier draft in a restricted folder. It replaces the link, tests the download on mobile and uses a descriptive filename, giving readers the approved document they expected.

Make it practical.

Use this checklist as you read. Checks are not stored.

References & further reading

Further reading: Google Drive: Share files ↗

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