How to Perform a Website Audit (and Why It’s Essential)

Posted on May 25, 2025 in Uncategorized

Your website is often your first impression — and if it’s not working properly, converting visitors, or showing up in search engines, it’s costing you more than you think. That’s where a website audit comes in.

A website audit gives you a clear picture of what’s working, what’s broken, and what needs improvement. Whether you’re planning a redesign or just want to improve site performance, this guide covers the key areas every audit should include.\

1. Technical Performance

Start with the foundation. If your site loads slowly or breaks on mobile, nothing else matters.

What to check:

• Page speed (Use tools like PageSpeed Insights)
• Mobile responsiveness
• Broken links or 404 errors
• SSL certificate and security issues
• Hosting/server uptime

2. On-Page SEO

If you want to be found on Google, this section is non-negotiable.

Audit for:

• Clear, descriptive title tags and meta descriptions
• Header tag structure (H1, H2, etc.)
• Keyword relevance and natural use
• Alt text for all images
• Internal linking structure
• Canonical tags (if duplicate content exists)

3. Content Quality

Search engines and users both reward relevant, high-quality content.

Review:

• Are your pages written for humans, not just search engines?
• Does each page have a clear purpose and value?
• Is the content current, or are there outdated references or offers?
• Are you leveraging blog posts, FAQs, or thought leadership to drive SEO?

4. User Experience (UX)

Even if your content is great, poor UX can kill conversions.

Look at:

• Navigation clarity – Can users find what they need fast?
• Clear calls-to-action (CTAs) on key pages
• Form usability – Are your forms short, intuitive, and working?
• Accessibility basics (alt text, keyboard navigation, contrast)

5. Analytics & Tracking

If you’re not tracking performance, you can’t improve it.

Verify:

• Google Analytics or GA4 is installed and tracking properly
• Key conversions (form fills, clicks, calls) are being tracked
• Google Search Console is connected
• Heatmaps or session recordings are active (optional but insightful)

6. Backlink Profile

A healthy link profile helps SEO — and an unhealthy one can hurt it.

Use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to audit:

• Total number of backlinks
• Referring domains (quality over quantity)
• Toxic or spammy links that should be disavowed

7. Compliance & Legal

Don’t skip this.

Double check:

• A clear privacy policy and terms of use
• Cookie disclosures (if required)
• ADA accessibility standards (especially if you’re in the U.S.)

Final Thoughts

A website audit isn’t a one-and-done task. It’s something every business should revisit regularly — especially after launching new content, switching platforms, or seeing traffic drop.

If you’re not sure where to start, Drive Creative Agency performs detailed website audits for clients across industries — helping brands uncover hidden issues, improve SEO, and increase leads.

👉 Let’s talk.