Carry out an SEO audit: What you should look out for when analyzing your website
Jan-Philipp Cepera
2/5/2023
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Reading time: 15 min
The most important facts in brief
An SEO audit analyzes various aspects of a website to improve its visibility in search engines and uncover potential for optimization
On-page and off-page optimization, technical aspects and the quality of the content are taken into account
By carrying out an SEO audit, problems and weaknesses can be identified and rectified, resulting in an improved user experience and a higher conversion rate
Rock your online store content!
Better rankings & more sales through perfect content for your target group
An SEO audit is a comprehensive process in which the various aspects of a website are analyzed in order to improve its visibility in search engines. Both technical and content-related factors are taken into account in order to uncover SEO potential and initiate targeted measures.
An important part of the SEO audit is the identification of keywords on which the optimization should focus. Here you should pay attention to both relevant and competitive terms in order to achieve a higher ranking on the SERP.
Goals and benefits of SEO audits
The aim of an SEO audit is to evaluate the performance of a website in terms of search engine optimization and to derive specific optimization recommendations. The results of such an audit form the basis for the development of an effective SEO strategy that is tailored to the specific needs of the website in question.
Another advantage of carrying out an SEO audit is the identification of problems and weaknesses that can affect the performance and user-friendliness of the website. By fixing these problems, the user experience can be improved and the conversion rate increased.
An SEO audit also provides an overview of the status quo of your own website compared to your competitors. This helps you to better understand your own positioning in the market and adjust it if necessary.
A comprehensive SEO audit helps to increase the visibility of a website in search engines, which can ultimately lead to greater reach, more traffic and a higher conversion rate.
Using Google Search Console effectively
Setting up the Google Search Console
The Google Search Console is a powerful and free tool that helps website operators to monitor, manage and optimize their online presence in Google search results. To use the Google Search Console for your website analysis, you must first add and confirm the property of your website.
This is done either via a domain verification or via the verification of a URL prefix property. After successful confirmation, various functions and reports are available to you to analyze and optimize your website through an SEO audit.
Important functions and reports for SEO audits
There are several essential functions in the Google Search Console that help with an SEO website audit:
Performance report: This report shows you important key figures such as the number of clicks, impressions, the average click-through rate (CTR) and the average position of your website in the Google search results. You can filter and analyze this data by various dimensions such as date, device or country to uncover trends and SEO potential.
URL check: With this function, you can check a single URL of your website for SEO problems such as indexing issues and technical errors. You will receive information on indexing, sitemap submission and possible problems that prevent indexing.
Index coverage report: This report provides information on which pages of your website are indexed by Google and which are not. It also contains information about errors, warnings and exclusions that you should fix in order to achieve better indexing and visibility in search results.
Sitemaps: Here you can submit your XML sitemap to help Google index your website. An up-to-date and error-free sitemap is essential for good search engine optimization.
Identify and resolve problems
An important aspect of using the Google Search Console during an SEO audit is identifying and fixing technical problems and errors that could affect the visibility and performance of your website. Pay particular attention to error messages and warnings in the index coverage report and the URL check in order to identify potential problems at an early stage and address them in a targeted manner.
Once you have identified the problems, you should take appropriate measures to fix them. This can include fixing broken links, optimizing page titles and meta descriptions or improving the loading time and mobile user-friendliness of your website.
On-page optimization as part of an SEO audit
Keyword optimization
Keyword optimization is a central aspect of on-page optimization and plays an important role in improving the visibility of a website. During an SEO audit, you should first identify relevant keywords that match your content and have a high search volume.
It is then important to place these keywords specifically in the various elements of your website, such as page titles, headings, texts and alt attributes of images, in order to achieve better indexing and a higher ranking.
Meta tags and meta descriptions
Meta tags and meta descriptions are important HTML elements that help search engines to better understand the content of your website. Although they do not directly influence the ranking, well-formulated meta tags and descriptions can increase the click-through rate (CTR) by providing users with a meaningful and appealing preview text.
During an SEO audit, you should make sure that all important pages of your website contain individual and optimized meta tags and descriptions that include the main keywords.
Structured data and rich snippets
Structured data is another important aspect of on-page optimization that should be considered in the SEO audit. By adding structured data in JSON-LD, Microdata or RDFa format, you can provide search engines with additional information about the content of your website.
This can lead to so-called rich snippets being displayed in the search results, which can visually highlight your website and increase the click-through rate. Examples of rich snippets are reviews, recipes or event information.
Content quality and readability
The quality of the content and the readability of the texts on your website are decisive factors for successful search engine optimization. During an SEO audit, you should make sure that your content is unique, relevant and appealing to your target group.
The text should also be well-structured and easy to understand to ensure high readability. This includes the use of headings, short paragraphs, lists and images to break up the text and improve the reading flow.
Internal linking
Well thought-out internal linking is another important aspect of on-page optimization. By placing targeted internal links between the individual pages of your website, you can improve user guidance and make it easier for search engines to crawl and index your website.
Within an SEO audit, you should make sure that all important pages of your website are linked to each other and that the link texts (anchor texts) are meaningful and keyword-optimized.
An effective internal linking system also helps to optimize the link juice distribution on your website. This gives you a better chance of rising in the search engine rankings.
Make sure you don't have any broken links or references to outdated content, as these can have a negative impact on the user experience.
In summary, on-page optimization is a central component of an SEO audit. By optimizing keyword optimization, meta tags, structured data, content quality and the internal linking of your website, you increase the chances of a better ranking and higher visibility in the search engines. This in turn leads to an improved user experience and greater online marketing success.
Off-page optimization as part of an SEO audit
Backlink analysis
Backlink analysis is an important part of off-page optimization in an SEO audit. It helps to check the quality and number of inbound links to a website. Backlinks are crucial for improving search engine rankings and can have a major impact on the visibility of a website.
When analyzing backlinks, both the number of links and the quality of the linking websites should be taken into account. A high number of high-quality backlinks can help to increase the authority and credibility of a website.
Domain authority and page authority
Domain authority and page authority are important metrics that should be analyzed in the SEO audit. Domain authority indicates how well an entire website performs in comparison to other websites in the search engines.
Page authority, on the other hand, evaluates the strength of an individual page compared to other pages. Both metrics are measured on a scale of 1 to 100, with higher values indicating stronger authority. A higher authority can help a website or page to rank better in search results.
An SEO audit should check both domain authority and page authority and identify possible measures for improvement.
Social signals and influence on SEO
Social signals are another aspect of off-page SEO that should be considered as part of an SEO audit. These are interactions and activities on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram that can have an impact on the visibility of a website. Examples of social signals include likes, shares and comments that a website or its content receives.
Although social signals don't feed directly into rankings, they can still have an impact on SEO. A strong social media presence can help get your website's content seen and shared by more people, which in turn increases the likelihood of that content being linked to by other websites.
An SEO audit should therefore analyze the social signals of your website and develop possible optimization measures.
Technical aspects of an SEO audit
Loading times and website performance
An important part of an SEO audit is examining the loading times and performance of a website. A fast loading time not only improves the user experience, but is also considered an important ranking factor by search engines.
When analyzing the loading times, various SEO tools can be used to identify optimization potential and make recommendations for improvements.
Mobile optimization and responsive design
Another technical aspect of an SEO audit is mobile optimization and responsive design. As more and more users access the internet via mobile devices, it is crucial that a website works well on all devices and is easy to use. The audit checks whether the design is responsive and adapts to different screen sizes, as well as whether all content is easy to read and navigate.
Indexing and crawling errors
Indexing by search engines is a fundamental step for good visibility in the search engine rankings. An SEO audit therefore analyzes whether all important pages are indexed correctly and whether there are crawling errors that could affect the crawling and indexing of the website. The Google Search Console is often used here to uncover errors and develop measures to rectify them.
Security and SSL certificates
Another important factor in an SEO audit is the security of the website. This includes checking whether a valid SSL certificate is available and whether the website runs over HTTPS. SSL encryption not only helps to protect data transmission between the website and its users, but also has a positive impact on search enginerankings.
Development of an effective SEO strategy
Developing an effective strategy is an important step in driving a website's search engine optimization and increasing its visibility in search results. A solid strategy should be based on the results of a comprehensive SEO audit and improved through continuous monitoring and adjustment.
Analysis of the results of the SEO audit
The first phase of developing an effective strategy is to analyze the results of the SEO audit. The most important findings and recommendations for action from the audit are taken into account and integrated into the strategy development.
The most important technical aspects such as website performance, indexing and crawling errors as well as mobile optimization should be taken into account.
Prioritization of optimization measures
In order to prioritize the SEO measures, it is important to evaluate the identified optimization potentials according to their influence on the search engine rankings and their feasibility.
You should focus on the points that have a major impact on the ranking and are easy to implement. This allows success to be achieved quickly, which in turn strengthens confidence in the SEO strategies.
Planning and implementation of SEO measures
The planning and implementation of SEO measures is the next important step. All aspects of on-page and off-page optimization should be taken into account here. On-page optimization includes optimizing meta tags, improving the website structure and improving the content. Off-page optimization includes improving the backlink structure and the use of social media channels.
Monitoring and adjusting the SEO strategy
Monitoring and adapting SEO strategies is a continuous process. It is important to regularly monitor the performance of the website and adjust the SEO measures accordingly. This can be facilitated by using SEO tools such as the GSC or Analytics. By continuously monitoring and adjusting SEO strategies, the desired goals can be achieved.
An effective SEO strategy should always be based on the individual needs and goals of a website. The visibility and performance of a website can be improved through a comprehensive analysis of the results of the SEO audit, the prioritization of optimization measures, the planning and implementation of SEO measures and the continuous monitoring and adjustment of SEO strategies.
Common mistakes and stumbling blocks in an SEO audit
When conducting an SEO audit, there are a number of errors and stumbling blocks that can affect the success of your search engine optimization. In the following, we will look at the avoidable sources of error and provide you with best practices for a successful SEO audit.
Avoidable sources of error
Insufficient keyword research: Thorough keyword research is crucial for the success of your SEO campaign. Make sure you include both short-tail and long-tail keywords in your research and update it regularly to keep up with current trends and developments in your online marketing.
Lack of focus on content marketing: High-quality and relevant content is an important factor for a successful SEO strategy. Make sure that your content marketing meets the needs of your target group and is continuously optimized to achieve the best possible search engine rankings.
Technical issues: Make sure that technical aspects such as the loading time of your website, mobile optimization or the use of SSL certificates are taken into account as part of your SEO audit. Technical problems can lead to your website being rated lower by search engines and therefore slipping down the rankings.
Incomplete on-page optimization: On-page factors such as meta tags, headings or the URL structure play an important role in search engine optimization. Make sure that these elements are analyzed and optimized as part of your SEO audit in order to achieve a better ranking in the search results.
Lack of focus on off-page optimization: In addition to on-page optimization, off-page optimization is also a decisive factor for the success of your SEO campaign. This includes building high-quality backlinks or your presence in social networks. Make sure that these aspects are also taken into account as part of your SEO audit.
Best practices for a successful SEO audit
Regular implementation: A one-off SEO audit is not enough to be successful in search engine optimization in the long term. Carry out regular audits to continuously adapt and optimize your strategy.
Comprehensive analysis: Make sure that your SEO audit takes all relevant aspects of your online marketing strategy into account. In addition to keyword research and content strategy, this also includes technical factors, on-page optimization and off-page optimization.
Prioritization of measures: Once you have identified the weaknesses and potential of your SEO analysis, prioritize the measures that have the greatest impact on your rankings and visibility in the search engines. This will help you to use your resources efficiently and achieve success more quickly.
Integration of analysis tools: Use professional analysis tools such as Google Analytics, GSC or specialized SEO tools to collect comprehensive and precise data for your SEO audit. These tools enable you to measure the success of your measures and make data-based decisions.
Continuous training: The world of search engine optimization is constantly changing. Keep up to date with the latest developments and trends to continuously optimize your strategy and meet the requirements of search engines and users.
Collaboration with experts: If you do not have sufficient knowledge of search engine optimization or your resources are limited, consider working with experts. Professional SEO agencies or freelancers can help you to carry out your SEO audit efficiently and purposefully and improve your search engine ranking.
What does an SEO audit cost?
The cost of an SEO audit can vary depending on the scope, complexity of the website and the provider. In general, there are three ways in which the cost of an SEO audit can be calculated:
Fixed price: Some providers offer SEO audits at a fixed price. This can range from 500 to 5,000 euros or more, depending on the size and complexity of the website as well as the scope of the analysis and optimization suggestions.
Hourly rate: Some SEO experts or agencies charge for their services on an hourly basis. Hourly rates can range from 50 to 200 euros per hour, depending on the experience and reputation of the provider. In this case, the total cost depends on the number of hours required to complete the audit.
Project-based: Another option for calculating costs is project-based billing. In this case, a total price is agreed for the entire SEO audit project. The costs can also vary greatly depending on the size of the website, the scope of the analysis and the customer's requirements.
By following these best practices and eliminating avoidable sources of error as part of your SEO audit, you lay the foundation for successful SEO and improve your visibility in search engines in the long term. This in turn leads to more traffic, higher conversion rates and ultimately more success in your online marketing.
A successful audit requires the use of powerful SEO tools and resources to help you analyze and optimize the various aspects of your website. In this section, we'll introduce you to some useful tools and resources that can help you conduct an effective SEO audit.
SEO audit tools in comparison
Google Analytics: Google Analytics is an indispensable audit tool for analyzing your website data. It provides extensive information about the users of your website, their behavior and the performance of your pages. Google Analytics helps you to measure the success of your SEO measures and make data-based decisions.
GSC: The GSC is another valuable audit tool from Google that helps you to monitor and optimize the visibility of your website in the search results. It provides you with detailed information about keywords, crawl errors and technical issues your website may have.
Screaming Frog SEO Spider: Screaming Frog SEO Spider is a powerful tool that checks your website for technical problems, missing meta tags, headings or other on-page factors. It helps you to quickly identify and fix problems to improve your SEO performance.
Ahrefs: Ahrefs is a comprehensive SEO tool that helps you analyze your backlinks, keywords and the overall content of your website. With Ahrefs, you can also analyze your competitors' SEO performance to find out which strategies are working for them and which are not.
SEMrush: SEMrush is another all-in-one SEO tool that helps you with keyword research, analyzing your backlinks, monitoring your rankings and performing a content audit. You can also use SEMrush to analyze and optimize your social media performance.
Moz Pro: Moz Pro is an SEO tool that offers you a variety of functions to analyze and optimize your website. This includes keyword research, rank tracking, on-page optimization and a comprehensive backlink analyzer. Moz Pro also offers an extensive knowledge base and community resources to help you optimize your strategy.
By using these useful SEO tools and resources for your SEO audit, you can effectively analyze and optimize the various aspects of your website to achieve a better ranking in search results. This will help you to increase the success of your SEO and generate more traffic and conversions for your business in the long term
Understanding the basics of an SEO audit
Definition of SEO Audit
An SEO audit is a comprehensive process in which the various aspects of a website are analyzed in order to improve its visibility in search engines. Both technical and content-related factors are taken into account in order to uncover SEO potential and initiate targeted measures.
An important part of the SEO audit is the identification of keywords on which the optimization should focus. Here you should pay attention to both relevant and competitive terms in order to achieve a higher ranking on the SERP.
Goals and benefits of SEO audits
The aim of an SEO audit is to evaluate the performance of a website in terms of search engine optimization and to derive specific optimization recommendations. The results of such an audit form the basis for the development of an effective SEO strategy that is tailored to the specific needs of the website in question.
Another advantage of carrying out an SEO audit is the identification of problems and weaknesses that can affect the performance and user-friendliness of the website. By fixing these problems, the user experience can be improved and the conversion rate increased.
An SEO audit also provides an overview of the status quo of your own website compared to your competitors. This helps you to better understand your own positioning in the market and adjust it if necessary.
A comprehensive SEO audit helps to increase the visibility of a website in search engines, which can ultimately lead to greater reach, more traffic and a higher conversion rate.
Using Google Search Console effectively
Setting up the Google Search Console
The Google Search Console is a powerful and free tool that helps website operators to monitor, manage and optimize their online presence in Google search results. To use the Google Search Console for your website analysis, you must first add and confirm the property of your website.
This is done either via a domain verification or via the verification of a URL prefix property. After successful confirmation, various functions and reports are available to you to analyze and optimize your website through an SEO audit.
Important functions and reports for SEO audits
There are several essential functions in the Google Search Console that help with an SEO website audit:
Performance report: This report shows you important key figures such as the number of clicks, impressions, the average click-through rate (CTR) and the average position of your website in the Google search results. You can filter and analyze this data by various dimensions such as date, device or country to uncover trends and SEO potential.
URL check: With this function, you can check a single URL of your website for SEO problems such as indexing issues and technical errors. You will receive information on indexing, sitemap submission and possible problems that prevent indexing.
Index coverage report: This report provides information on which pages of your website are indexed by Google and which are not. It also contains information about errors, warnings and exclusions that you should fix in order to achieve better indexing and visibility in search results.
Sitemaps: Here you can submit your XML sitemap to help Google index your website. An up-to-date and error-free sitemap is essential for good search engine optimization.
Identify and resolve problems
An important aspect of using the Google Search Console during an SEO audit is identifying and fixing technical problems and errors that could affect the visibility and performance of your website. Pay particular attention to error messages and warnings in the index coverage report and the URL check in order to identify potential problems at an early stage and address them in a targeted manner.
Once you have identified the problems, you should take appropriate measures to fix them. This can include fixing broken links, optimizing page titles and meta descriptions or improving the loading time and mobile user-friendliness of your website.
On-page optimization as part of an SEO audit
Keyword optimization
Keyword optimization is a central aspect of on-page optimization and plays an important role in improving the visibility of a website. During an SEO audit, you should first identify relevant keywords that match your content and have a high search volume.
It is then important to place these keywords specifically in the various elements of your website, such as page titles, headings, texts and alt attributes of images, in order to achieve better indexing and a higher ranking.
Meta tags and meta descriptions
Meta tags and meta descriptions are important HTML elements that help search engines to better understand the content of your website. Although they do not directly influence the ranking, well-formulated meta tags and descriptions can increase the click-through rate (CTR) by providing users with a meaningful and appealing preview text.
During an SEO audit, you should make sure that all important pages of your website contain individual and optimized meta tags and descriptions that include the main keywords.
Structured data and rich snippets
Structured data is another important aspect of on-page optimization that should be considered in the SEO audit. By adding structured data in JSON-LD, Microdata or RDFa format, you can provide search engines with additional information about the content of your website.
This can lead to so-called rich snippets being displayed in the search results, which can visually highlight your website and increase the click-through rate. Examples of rich snippets are reviews, recipes or event information.
Content quality and readability
The quality of the content and the readability of the texts on your website are decisive factors for successful search engine optimization. During an SEO audit, you should make sure that your content is unique, relevant and appealing to your target group.
The text should also be well-structured and easy to understand to ensure high readability. This includes the use of headings, short paragraphs, lists and images to break up the text and improve the reading flow.
Internal linking
Well thought-out internal linking is another important aspect of on-page optimization. By placing targeted internal links between the individual pages of your website, you can improve user guidance and make it easier for search engines to crawl and index your website.
Within an SEO audit, you should make sure that all important pages of your website are linked to each other and that the link texts (anchor texts) are meaningful and keyword-optimized.
An effective internal linking system also helps to optimize the link juice distribution on your website. This gives you a better chance of rising in the search engine rankings.
Make sure you don't have any broken links or references to outdated content, as these can have a negative impact on the user experience.
In summary, on-page optimization is a central component of an SEO audit. By optimizing keyword optimization, meta tags, structured data, content quality and the internal linking of your website, you increase the chances of a better ranking and higher visibility in the search engines. This in turn leads to an improved user experience and greater online marketing success.
Off-page optimization as part of an SEO audit
Backlink analysis
Backlink analysis is an important part of off-page optimization in an SEO audit. It helps to check the quality and number of inbound links to a website. Backlinks are crucial for improving search engine rankings and can have a major impact on the visibility of a website.
When analyzing backlinks, both the number of links and the quality of the linking websites should be taken into account. A high number of high-quality backlinks can help to increase the authority and credibility of a website.
Domain authority and page authority
Domain authority and page authority are important metrics that should be analyzed in the SEO audit. Domain authority indicates how well an entire website performs in comparison to other websites in the search engines.
Page authority, on the other hand, evaluates the strength of an individual page compared to other pages. Both metrics are measured on a scale of 1 to 100, with higher values indicating stronger authority. A higher authority can help a website or page to rank better in search results.
An SEO audit should check both domain authority and page authority and identify possible measures for improvement.
Social signals and influence on SEO
Social signals are another aspect of off-page SEO that should be considered as part of an SEO audit. These are interactions and activities on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram that can have an impact on the visibility of a website. Examples of social signals include likes, shares and comments that a website or its content receives.
Although social signals don't feed directly into rankings, they can still have an impact on SEO. A strong social media presence can help get your website's content seen and shared by more people, which in turn increases the likelihood of that content being linked to by other websites.
An SEO audit should therefore analyze the social signals of your website and develop possible optimization measures.
Technical aspects of an SEO audit
Loading times and website performance
An important part of an SEO audit is examining the loading times and performance of a website. A fast loading time not only improves the user experience, but is also considered an important ranking factor by search engines.
When analyzing the loading times, various SEO tools can be used to identify optimization potential and make recommendations for improvements.
Mobile optimization and responsive design
Another technical aspect of an SEO audit is mobile optimization and responsive design. As more and more users access the internet via mobile devices, it is crucial that a website works well on all devices and is easy to use. The audit checks whether the design is responsive and adapts to different screen sizes, as well as whether all content is easy to read and navigate.
Indexing and crawling errors
Indexing by search engines is a fundamental step for good visibility in the search engine rankings. An SEO audit therefore analyzes whether all important pages are indexed correctly and whether there are crawling errors that could affect the crawling and indexing of the website. The Google Search Console is often used here to uncover errors and develop measures to rectify them.
Security and SSL certificates
Another important factor in an SEO audit is the security of the website. This includes checking whether a valid SSL certificate is available and whether the website runs over HTTPS. SSL encryption not only helps to protect data transmission between the website and its users, but also has a positive impact on search enginerankings.
Development of an effective SEO strategy
Developing an effective strategy is an important step in driving a website's search engine optimization and increasing its visibility in search results. A solid strategy should be based on the results of a comprehensive SEO audit and improved through continuous monitoring and adjustment.
Analysis of the results of the SEO audit
The first phase of developing an effective strategy is to analyze the results of the SEO audit. The most important findings and recommendations for action from the audit are taken into account and integrated into the strategy development.
The most important technical aspects such as website performance, indexing and crawling errors as well as mobile optimization should be taken into account.
Prioritization of optimization measures
In order to prioritize the SEO measures, it is important to evaluate the identified optimization potentials according to their influence on the search engine rankings and their feasibility.
You should focus on the points that have a major impact on the ranking and are easy to implement. This allows success to be achieved quickly, which in turn strengthens confidence in the SEO strategies.
Planning and implementation of SEO measures
The planning and implementation of SEO measures is the next important step. All aspects of on-page and off-page optimization should be taken into account here. On-page optimization includes optimizing meta tags, improving the website structure and improving the content. Off-page optimization includes improving the backlink structure and the use of social media channels.
Monitoring and adjusting the SEO strategy
Monitoring and adapting SEO strategies is a continuous process. It is important to regularly monitor the performance of the website and adjust the SEO measures accordingly. This can be facilitated by using SEO tools such as the GSC or Analytics. By continuously monitoring and adjusting SEO strategies, the desired goals can be achieved.
An effective SEO strategy should always be based on the individual needs and goals of a website. The visibility and performance of a website can be improved through a comprehensive analysis of the results of the SEO audit, the prioritization of optimization measures, the planning and implementation of SEO measures and the continuous monitoring and adjustment of SEO strategies.
Common mistakes and stumbling blocks in an SEO audit
When conducting an SEO audit, there are a number of errors and stumbling blocks that can affect the success of your search engine optimization. In the following, we will look at the avoidable sources of error and provide you with best practices for a successful SEO audit.
Avoidable sources of error
Insufficient keyword research: Thorough keyword research is crucial for the success of your SEO campaign. Make sure you include both short-tail and long-tail keywords in your research and update it regularly to keep up with current trends and developments in your online marketing.
Lack of focus on content marketing: High-quality and relevant content is an important factor for a successful SEO strategy. Make sure that your content marketing meets the needs of your target group and is continuously optimized to achieve the best possible search engine rankings.
Technical issues: Make sure that technical aspects such as the loading time of your website, mobile optimization or the use of SSL certificates are taken into account as part of your SEO audit. Technical problems can lead to your website being rated lower by search engines and therefore slipping down the rankings.
Incomplete on-page optimization: On-page factors such as meta tags, headings or the URL structure play an important role in search engine optimization. Make sure that these elements are analyzed and optimized as part of your SEO audit in order to achieve a better ranking in the search results.
Lack of focus on off-page optimization: In addition to on-page optimization, off-page optimization is also a decisive factor for the success of your SEO campaign. This includes building high-quality backlinks or your presence in social networks. Make sure that these aspects are also taken into account as part of your SEO audit.
Best practices for a successful SEO audit
Regular implementation: A one-off SEO audit is not enough to be successful in search engine optimization in the long term. Carry out regular audits to continuously adapt and optimize your strategy.
Comprehensive analysis: Make sure that your SEO audit takes all relevant aspects of your online marketing strategy into account. In addition to keyword research and content strategy, this also includes technical factors, on-page optimization and off-page optimization.
Prioritization of measures: Once you have identified the weaknesses and potential of your SEO analysis, prioritize the measures that have the greatest impact on your rankings and visibility in the search engines. This will help you to use your resources efficiently and achieve success more quickly.
Integration of analysis tools: Use professional analysis tools such as Google Analytics, GSC or specialized SEO tools to collect comprehensive and precise data for your SEO audit. These tools enable you to measure the success of your measures and make data-based decisions.
Continuous training: The world of search engine optimization is constantly changing. Keep up to date with the latest developments and trends to continuously optimize your strategy and meet the requirements of search engines and users.
Collaboration with experts: If you do not have sufficient knowledge of search engine optimization or your resources are limited, consider working with experts. Professional SEO agencies or freelancers can help you to carry out your SEO audit efficiently and purposefully and improve your search engine ranking.
What does an SEO audit cost?
The cost of an SEO audit can vary depending on the scope, complexity of the website and the provider. In general, there are three ways in which the cost of an SEO audit can be calculated:
Fixed price: Some providers offer SEO audits at a fixed price. This can range from 500 to 5,000 euros or more, depending on the size and complexity of the website as well as the scope of the analysis and optimization suggestions.
Hourly rate: Some SEO experts or agencies charge for their services on an hourly basis. Hourly rates can range from 50 to 200 euros per hour, depending on the experience and reputation of the provider. In this case, the total cost depends on the number of hours required to complete the audit.
Project-based: Another option for calculating costs is project-based billing. In this case, a total price is agreed for the entire SEO audit project. The costs can also vary greatly depending on the size of the website, the scope of the analysis and the customer's requirements.
By following these best practices and eliminating avoidable sources of error as part of your SEO audit, you lay the foundation for successful SEO and improve your visibility in search engines in the long term. This in turn leads to more traffic, higher conversion rates and ultimately more success in your online marketing.
A successful audit requires the use of powerful SEO tools and resources to help you analyze and optimize the various aspects of your website. In this section, we'll introduce you to some useful tools and resources that can help you conduct an effective SEO audit.
SEO audit tools in comparison
Google Analytics: Google Analytics is an indispensable audit tool for analyzing your website data. It provides extensive information about the users of your website, their behavior and the performance of your pages. Google Analytics helps you to measure the success of your SEO measures and make data-based decisions.
GSC: The GSC is another valuable audit tool from Google that helps you to monitor and optimize the visibility of your website in the search results. It provides you with detailed information about keywords, crawl errors and technical issues your website may have.
Screaming Frog SEO Spider: Screaming Frog SEO Spider is a powerful tool that checks your website for technical problems, missing meta tags, headings or other on-page factors. It helps you to quickly identify and fix problems to improve your SEO performance.
Ahrefs: Ahrefs is a comprehensive SEO tool that helps you analyze your backlinks, keywords and the overall content of your website. With Ahrefs, you can also analyze your competitors' SEO performance to find out which strategies are working for them and which are not.
SEMrush: SEMrush is another all-in-one SEO tool that helps you with keyword research, analyzing your backlinks, monitoring your rankings and performing a content audit. You can also use SEMrush to analyze and optimize your social media performance.
Moz Pro: Moz Pro is an SEO tool that offers you a variety of functions to analyze and optimize your website. This includes keyword research, rank tracking, on-page optimization and a comprehensive backlink analyzer. Moz Pro also offers an extensive knowledge base and community resources to help you optimize your strategy.
By using these useful SEO tools and resources for your SEO audit, you can effectively analyze and optimize the various aspects of your website to achieve a better ranking in search results. This will help you to increase the success of your SEO and generate more traffic and conversions for your business in the long term
About the author
Jan-Philipp Cepera
As an SEO expert, he knows exactly how to catapult websites to the top of the search engines. His online content scores highly with both Google and users.
Rock your online store content!
Better rankings & more sales through perfect content for your target group
As an SEO expert, he knows exactly how to catapult websites to the top of the search engines. His online content scores highly with both Google and users.