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What is an SEO Audit and Why Do You Need One?
What exactly is a Search Engine Optimization Audit (SEO Audit)? This is when a highly experienced Search Engine Optimization Expert, such as myself, spends time looking at every single part of your website. They look at your website with a critical eye–spotting for any “issues” that may be prohibiting your website from ranking well in the search engines. Just like an accountant performs an audit of your finances, a highly experienced SEO expert like myself can perform an audit of your website and your overall online presence. After all, I have been actively practicing organic or natural Search Engine Optimization even before it was called “SEO”. I started back in 1996, with my first few websites.
Did you know that there sometimes can be one very small “factor”, something that your website is doing, the way it is acting (if it’s a dynamic website), or even one small website coding error that could stop your website from being indexed properly in the search engines? All it takes is “one little change” sometimes. And it could be something that is often overlooked by even the most competent webmasters and even the best SEOs in the business. Or, on the other hand, it could be a large issue that is plaguing the whole entire site. Remember, only a qualified, trusted SEO expert like myself can perform offer a reliable review of your website.
That’s where I can step in with my consulting services. I have the experience of looking at literally thousands upon thousands of websites over the years and have “seen it all” when it comes to problems with websites. I can properly offer you my consulting services. Sometimes it takes an experienced eye (or just someone else), someone who knows what they’re doing, to take a look at your website and figure out why it’s not ranking well in the search engines. I can perform a search engine optimization audit. And it’s worth noting that I don’t outsource any of the work–I do it all myself.
Want more information about why you should audit your website? Read my article that list 8 reasons why you should perform an SEO Audit of your website.
Are You Doing Everything Possible?
Even if you think you have done everything possible when it comes to search engine optimization and you think you’re “doing fine” or even doing extremely well online. You need to have a search engine optimization audit performed at least once a year.
Sometimes you need someone to take a look at all of the work that your current search engine optimization agency is doing and make sure that they’re doing the right thing. Are they leading you on the right path?. I can provide a search engine optimization audit of your website. After all, who wouldn’t want an audit performed and find out that there’s nothing additional that can be done to increase your company’s revenue?
Watch me train others in the search industry about performing a highly technical audit of your website. In the video below, I spoke in Portland, Oregon about technical SEO audits. This was in 2015, before I started offering audits as a consultant.
I will personally perform a full search engine optimization audit of a website that is currently up and running. There are several things that I personally review, including:
– Search Engine Reputation
– Search Engine Exposure (against other keyword competitors)
– Web Site Structure
– Link popularity (I also do link audits.)
– Internal Link Structure
– Review of Site Meta Data
– Review of Domain name issues
If you’re getting ready to launch a new website, or even perform a website redesign, it’s critical everything be looked at with an experienced eye–to make sure there are no issues that will arise when the site goes live. For website redesigns in particular, it’s important to have someone such as myself perform an audit of the old (current version) of the site as well as the new version of the site. There are many issues that can arise when changing versions of your site, such as making sure that the old URLs redirect to the new URLs. That’s the type of details that I look for when I review your website.
Technically, Very Comprehensive
While providing these seo auditing services, I leave no stone unturned. All of the potential website ranking issues are reviewed, personally by me. I don’t outsource this critical work to anyone else. I use my 18+ years of search engine optimization expertise to tell you why your website isn’t ranking in the search results as well as it should. Not many others in the SEO industry have the amount of experience that I have. Recommendations are also made, whenever appropriate, should I find something on the website that needs to be addressed.
What’s Included in the Audit?
I include a lot in my SEO services. As someone who has been practicing organic search engine optimization since 1996, I have the experience needed to use search engine optimization best practices to bring more quality visitors to your website. Whenever I first begin a search engine optimization engagement, I recommend that an audit be performed first, to see where the site is now–and if there are any issues that need to be addressed right away.
You Need a Comprehensive Plan
The recommended plan for your website is complete a full Search Engine Optimization Audit and technical review of your website and Link Profile analysis. This will include competitive research, keyword research, and other SEO-related tasks such as updating meta data (title tags, meta description tags, etc.) and content optimization, if needed. This will also include an overall SEO strategy and linking strategy that meets your company’s ROI goals.
There are several things that are reviewed during my SEO audit service, including:
– Search Engine Reputation
– Search Engine Exposure (against other keyword competitors)
– Content Optimization
– Review of Site Structure and overall design of site (includes page load speed, other factors affecting visits)
– Link popularity
– Internal Link Structure
– Review and Writing of Website Meta Data (title tags, meta description tags)
– Review of Domain name issues
– Link Profile Analysis, including “clean up” bad and toxic links pointing to the website (if bad links are found)
– Review of local citations, directory listings, etc. if the website is locally-focused (appeals to local customers)
During an audit, Mr. Hartzer leaves no stone unturned. He uses all the right tools to gather all of the needed data–and then comes up with an extensive list of issues that can affect your Google ranking. All of the potential website ranking issues are reviewed. Recommendations are also made, whenever appropriate, should he find something on the website that needs to be addressed. Even if you are currently employing the services of a Search Engine Optimization firm, it is recommended that you have a full technical review of your website performed at least once every year.
After Your Audit
After the first set of search engine optimization recommendations are implemented during the first month, Mr. Hartzer can work with you on a monthly SEO maintenance plan in order to keep your website at the top of the search engine results for those keywords that are helping to reach your overall website marketing and ROI goals.
SEO Deliverables
The following is a detail of the actual deliverables. These will include a combination of documents, spreadsheets, and at least one follow-up phone call to go over the delivered documents and spreadsheets, and answer questions.
Below is a preliminary outline (Table of Contents) of the document that will be delivered, in the form of a Microsoft Word document or PDF. Typically, Microsoft Excel spreadsheets are included, as well, which includes all of the gathered data.
Overview
Current Rankings And Analysis
Website Crawlability
404 Errors, 301 Redirects other server issues
Keyword Strategy
Content Strategy
On-Page Factors
Title Tag Issues
Meta Description Tags
Heading Tags
Image Alt Attributes
Miscellaneous Issues
Linking
Internal Links
External Links
Overall Recommendations
Strategy Going Forward
Are you ready to get started? Are you ready for more search engine traffic from organic search?
When was the last time you received a full search engine optimization audit of your website? I recommend a full manual review from an expert, such as the one I offer, at least once each year. Talk to someone who has over 18 years of website marketing experience who can steer you in the right direction, not just someone who is going to try to “sell you” search engine marketing or website marketing services.
I will be happy to provide you with no obligation price quote for my services. Pricing varies depending on the website, typically on the size of the website.