Conducting an initial website audit is critical if you plan to hire WordPress SEO services for your website. A thorough website audit before onboarding any SEO agency will help you understand the current website issues and identify areas for improvement. It acts as a baseline for the SEO provider to start working on.
The audit will allow you to set the right expectations from the WordPress SEO services and determine realistic goals that can be achieved.
A website audit thoroughly inspects a website to analyze its performance, content, design, links, etc. This helps identify any issues present on the website.
A website audit is usually done to determine how well a website or webpage is structured and optimized for search engines. It helps website owners and SEO service providers understand the site's technical health, content quality, user experience, and areas for improvement.
A typical website audit involves the following steps:
Once the audit is complete, a detailed report highlighting issues and suggestions for improvement is prepared. This gives website owners a clear roadmap to optimize their site effectively for search engines and users before investing in SEO services.
68% of online experiences start with a search engine, so getting your website audited to know whether it's optimized for search engines correctly is the first step toward online success. Here's what a thorough audit can do for you:
Only 33% of websites pass the Core Web Vitals threshold, which is one of the key technical SEO factors Google looks at in a website. Carrying out a website audit is crucial as it helps identify any technical problems that could negatively impact your site's search engine optimization.
A thorough audit is your first step when considering getting WordPress SEO services. It uncovers the issues that can torpedo your rankings if left unchecked. Here's an example of issues an SEO audit might reveal:
Issue | Explanation |
Page Load Speed | Slow websites frustrate users and lower your search engine ranking. An audit helps find the cause. |
Technical Errors | 404 (page not found), 502 (Bad Gateway), or 500 (server error) prevent access to your content. Audits find these. |
Mobile-Friendliness | Since many users browse on phones, your site must work well on mobile devices. An audit checks this. |
Internal Linking | A messy link structure can confuse search engines. Audits identify problems in your internal links. |
Duplicate Content | Having the same content in different places weakens your SEO. Audits help spot and fix this. |
Crawl Barriers | Some elements block search engines from accessing your site. Audits reveal these issues. |
Discovering and tackling these issues head-on helps you lay a solid SEO foundation.
For a search engine to comprehensively index all the important pages of a website, the website structure must allow for easy crawling for the bots the search engine sends. A site audit evaluates this crawl ability through various means.
It examines the sitemap file submitted to the search console for completeness. A sitemap helps search engines like Google discover all pages faster by listing them out. The HTML and XML sitemaps are scrutinized to ensure no broken internal links are referenced. This prevents crawler issues.
Crawlability Factor | Why It Matters |
XML Sitemap | Guides crawlers to important pages |
Internal linking | Distributes link equity, aids navigation |
Canonical tags | Prevents duplicate content issues |
The internal linking architecture is studied to guarantee pages are properly interlinked and that the crawler can access all the deeper-level pages.
Outbound links are also validated to avoid unwanted leaks of page authority. Duplicate, thin, or doorway-type pages are identified as these could pose duplicate content issues or be a poor crawler experience.
The URL formats, canonical tags, and redirects are evaluated to maintain a uniform branding and avoid data spreading. In the end, the search console reports are examined to see which pages are missing from the index or receiving low traffic.
You must know where your content stands when preparing for WordPress SEO services because as per 60% of marketers, content is their highest source of quality leads. A website audit digs deep into your pages, checking if they're fit for the search engine crown.
Here's what a good content audit looks at:
Let's say a food blog is struggling to rank. An audit might show that their recipes are short and lack details. With improvement in content and adding step-by-step photos, their traffic may boost in a few months.
Content Factor | Why It's Important |
Keyword Focus | Helps search engines understand your page |
Content-Length | Longer content often ranks better |
Multimedia | Keeps users engaged, reduces the bounce rate |
Remember, great content isn't just about pleasing search engines. It's about giving your readers what they want; when you do that, search engines notice.
A thorough website audit doesn't just count keywords. It looks at how you use them across your site. It's like checking if you speak the same language as your audience.
Here's what a keyword audit digs into:
Let’s say a pet supply store is not ranking well locally. An audit may reveal they aren’t using city names in their keywords. Adding location-specific terms may boost their visibility in their vicinity.
Keyword Type | Example |
Short-tail | "Dog grooming" |
Long-tail | "Best grooming services for small breeds" |
Local | "French Bulldog grooming services in Austin" |
You're not just throwing words at a wall when you get your keyword strategy right. You're building a bridge between what people seek and what you offer.
Before you hire someone for WordPress SEO services, you need to know your backlink situation. A website audit looks at who's linking to you and how. This helps you understand your site's reputation and authority in the eyes of search engines.
Backlink Factor | Why It Matters |
Link Quality | High-quality links boost your site's authority |
Anchor Text | Helps search engines understand your content |
Link Diversity | Shows your site is valued across industries |
Here's what a backlink audit checks:
Remember, it's not just about having lots of links; it's about the quality.
You need to know how users interact with your site. A website audit looks at various factors that affect user experience and engagement.
UX Factor | Impact on SEO |
Page Speed | Faster sites rank better |
Bounce Rate | Lower bounce rates can improve rankings |
Mobile Usability | Mobile-friendly sites perform better in search |
Here's what a user experience audit examines:
Search engines like Googe want to send users to sites they'll find helpful. Good user experience is good SEO.
Before starting WordPress SEO services, you need a clear picture of where you stand. A website audit establishes your SEO baseline. This helps you track progress and set realistic goals.
Baseline Metric | Why It's Important |
Current Rankings | Shows where you can improve |
Organic Traffic | Measures overall SEO effectiveness |
Conversion Rate | Shows if traffic is valuable |
Here's what an SEO baseline audit includes:
Remember, SEO is a long journey, not a destination. Regular monitoring helps you stay on the right path.
Website audit costs vary widely based on several factors. Let's explore the price range and what influences it.
Website audits can set you back anywhere from $500 to $10,000+. The price tag depends on your site's complexity and the audit's depth. Smaller sites with basic audits cost less, while larger sites needing comprehensive analysis command higher fees.
Audit Type | Price Range |
Basic SEO Audit | $500 - $1,500 |
Comprehensive Audit | $1,500 - $5,000 |
Enterprise-level Audit | $5,000 - $10,000+ |
Factors impacting the cost include:
Some agencies offer tiered pricing. You'll find budget-friendly options for small businesses and premium packages for large corporations. It's crucial to balance cost with value. A cheap audit might miss critical issues, while an overpriced one mightn't yield proportional benefits.
When shopping around, ask for detailed breakdowns. Compare what's included in each package. Some firms throw in post-audit support, which can be a game-changer for implementation. Others might charge extra for follow-ups.
Remember, a good audit isn't just about identifying problems. It should provide actionable insights. You're not just paying for a report; you're investing in a roadmap for improvement. Consider the potential ROI when evaluating costs.
Lastly, beware of "too good to be true" offers. Suspiciously low prices often indicate subpar service. Quality audits require time, expertise, and sophisticated tools. These factors contribute to higher but justifiable costs.
A website audit is the first and most crucial step before getting WordPress SEO services. Pxel7 conducts a thorough technical audit to detect vulnerabilities, compatibility issues, and performance bottlenecks.
Our experts then analyze organic and paid search visibility gaps. Next, we craft a customized strategy and implement proven SEO tactics like on-page optimization, link building, content marketing, and more.
