Perform a Technical SEO Audit to Increase Search Rankings

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a powerful component of digital marketing that improves a website’s ranking in search results. However, websites have many moving parts, and if they are not well-oiled (at all times), they will hurt their rankings.

So, running a technical SEO audit is your best defense and best asset to improving your site’s search engine ranking. 

Run a Quick Technical SEO Audit and find critical issues affecting your site’s ranking.

 

Why is a Technical Audit Important for SEO?

The search engine crawlers rely on your website's technical environment to crawl, discover, and report your web pages/posts back to their search index.

If the bot encounters problems with your site, such as page loading time, link accessibility, weak content, or poor HTML, then your algorithm score will not yield good rankings.

Other website management issues might include broken links, pages with low content, unstructured HTML, etc. Fortunately, there are tools that can help you pinpoint and eliminate these issues, allowing you to focus on your core SEO strategy.

How to Perform a Technical SEO Audit

Use SEO Audit Tools

An SEO audit tool is used by those who wish to improve their website’s ranking in search engines. While this seems straightforward, the process becomes more complicated when it’s time to choose the right tool(s).

Some of the most popular audit tools for SEO include:

• SEMRush Site Audit
• Check My Links
• Google Webmaster Tools
• Moz Pro Tools
• HubSpot’s Website Grader
• UpCity’s SEO Report Card
• Website Checkup

Some tools can be used for free, while others require monthly payments.

One of the most important pieces of information gathered from audit tools is the website’s SEO score. The number itself won't affect your rankings; instead, it represents a general state of health.

They typically display this score as a percentage and show you how search engines view your site. Sites with higher scores usually receive more visitors from an organic search.

Paid vs Free SEO Tools

Each tool has unique features, so it’s important to consider what information you’re looking for when choosing among various programs. Most times, paid programs offer more features than free programs.

However, many people new to audits choose Google Webmaster Tools, AKA Search Console, which is available for free. Google is the most popular search engine, giving it credibility with marketers.

Your particular website’s needs will help determine which website audit tools are right for you. Once you choose the tool that suits your needs, you’ll be one step closer to optimizing your website.

What Does a Technical SEO Audit Include?

Each SEO analyzer and marketing company will include different topics in their technical analysis. However, you’ll typically find these key components in every SEO audit report:

• Information about competitors in your industry, including their search engine performance and rank
• Link reports, which provide data on bad, broken, or “spammy” links
• Keyword performance data, such as their current rank, rank difficulty, the number of monthly searches, and competitors’ keywords
• Site layout and structure – is your website easy for customers to navigate?
• Meta title usage
• Meta description usage
• Duplicate or redundant content
• Pages without content
• Social media integration

These are just a few items you’ll typically find on a technical SEO site audit report. This information can be invaluable, especially in improving your website’s design.

Why You Need a Search Engine Optimization Audit?

Improving your website’s SEO score is virtually impossible without a thorough search engine optimization audit. The data tells you where your site’s weaknesses are, enabling you to create a plan for improving its SEO.

By using the information wisely, you’ll be able to improve your search engine rank and draw traffic to your site.

Conclusion

With an improved website ranking, you’ll be on your way to generating new sales leads. A technical SEO site audit can help you cultivate a winning website that elevates your brand.