An SEO audit reveals why your website isn't ranking. I've audited hundreds of sites and consistently find 10-15 critical issues holding back rankings. Here's my step-by-step audit process.
Step 1: Technical SEO Check
- Check Google Search Console for errors
- Run PageSpeed Insights (aim for 90+ mobile)
- Check robots.txt and XML sitemap
- Look for broken links and 404 errors
- Ensure HTTPS is properly configured
Step 2: On-Page SEO Analysis
| Element | What to Check |
|---|---|
| Title Tags | Unique, under 60 chars, keyword-rich |
| Meta Descriptions | Compelling, under 160 chars |
| Heading Structure | H1-H6 hierarchy correct |
| Content Quality | 300+ words, keyword-optimized |
Step 3: Content Audit
- Identify thin content (under 300 words)
- Find duplicate content issues
- Check for outdated information
- Analyze content gaps vs competitors
- Review internal linking structure
Step 4: Backlink Analysis
- Check total backlinks and referring domains
- Identify toxic/spammy backlinks
- Analyze competitor backlink profiles
- Find new link building opportunities
Step 5: Competitor Analysis
- Identify keywords they rank for (that you don't)
- Analyze their content depth and quality
- Check their backlink sources
- Look for content gaps you can fill
SEO Audit Tools Comparison
| Tool | Best For | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Google Search Console | Technical issues, performance | Free |
| Semrush | Comprehensive audit | Paid |
| Screaming Frog | Technical crawling | Freemium |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does an SEO audit take?
A: A basic audit takes 2-4 hours. A comprehensive audit for large sites can take 10-20 hours.
Q: What's the most common SEO issue?
A: Page speed and missing/duplicate title tags are the most common issues I find in audits.
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