Comprehensive Website Audit Checklist for WordPress Sites
Table of Contents
Introduction
Qualifying Checklist
Audit Steps
Post-Audit Steps
Who Needs a Website Audit
Future Expansion
Conclusion
Introduction
A website audit ensures a site meets technical, SEO, and design standards. This checklist applies to auditing existing websites—not creating new ones. Focus on optimizing performance, improving search visibility, and enhancing user experience. The audit helps you provide data-driven recommendations for website improvement.
Video Walkthrough of a Live Website Audit
Below are a few videos of Dennis Yu conducting a live website audit for a clients. This walkthrough will give you insights into the practical steps involved in auditing a website for SEO, user experience, and technical performance.
Qualifying Checklist
Before beginning the audit, gather the following information:
- Access to the Website’s Admin Panel.
- Access to Google Analytics and Search Console.
- Access to any relevant SEO tools (e.g., Moz, Ahrefs, or SEMrush).
Audit Steps
Step 1: Technical SEO Audit
- Check the site's indexing status via Google Search Console.
- Use Moz or Ahrefs to verify the site’s domain authority and rank.
- Ensure that the site's robots.txt and sitemap are correctly configured.
- Use Google PageSpeed Insights to test for speed and mobile-friendliness.
- Ensure that the site is HTTPS secured (SSL certificate).
Step 2: Content Audit
- Verify that Google indexes at least 100 pages.
- Identify thin content and duplicate pages.
- Review meta tags, titles, and descriptions for SEO relevance.
- Ensure all pages and blog posts are optimized for keywords.
Step 3: User Experience (UX) Audit
- Test the mobile and desktop versions of the site.
- Ensure that the website loads in under 3 seconds (PageSpeed score of 90+).
- Check for any broken links or 404 errors.
Step 4: Branding and Messaging Audit
- Ensure consistent branding across the site (logo, colors).
- Verify proper branding and navigation links in the header and footer.
- Confirm every page has a clear CTA and aligned messaging.
Post-Audit Steps
After completing the audit:
- Create a report that highlights technical errors, SEO issues, and content gaps.
- Offer actionable insights for resolving performance issues.
- Suggest improvements to enhance search visibility, user experience, and site speed.
Who Needs A Website Audit
Any business with a digital presence benefits from regular website audits. Whether managing an e-commerce platform, personal blog, or corporate website, audits help ensure the site remains competitive, secure, and user-friendly.
Conclusion
A comprehensive website audit provides a roadmap for improving a website’s performance, SEO, and user engagement. Use this checklist to uncover weaknesses and optimize client websites.