Imagine your website as a home. You love it, but every home needs repairs and maintenance, right? That is why you should conduct a website audit.
Just like how you would carry out repairs and improvements, a website audit helps you uncover areas that need a little TLC to make sure your online space is functioning at its best. So, without any further ado let us dive into some of the aspects of how I conduct a website audit.
First Impressions Matter
When you enter a home, the first impression counts, right? The same goes for your website. I take a close look at your homepage to understand what vibe it gives off. As visitors land on your website, their first moments are crucial.
- Is it welcoming?
- Does it reflect your brand’s essence?
I am essentially examining whether your online front door is open, welcoming, and in harmony with your brand. Just like a well decorated entrance gives you a glimpse of what is inside, your homepage should give your visitors a taste of what your website and brand are all about.
Above the Fold Content
Imagine your website as a storybook. The above the fold section is like the cover of that book. This will be the first thing anyone sees when they visit your website, just like a book cover catches your eye on the shelf. This section is like the welcome mat of your online home, and it will be what your visitors encounter before they even start scrolling.
Think about when you open a book. The cover and the first few pages give you a glimpse of what’s inside. Similarly, the above the fold content gives visitors a sneak peek into what your website is all about. This is your chance to make a strong first impression and draw them in.
Let’s Imagine you are hosting a dinner party at your actual home. The moment your guests step through the front door, what do they see? You have carefully arranged your living room to showcase your favourite decorations, artwork, and items that reflect your personality because you want your guests to feel comfortable and intrigued as soon as they enter.
In essence, the above the fold content is like your website’s initial handshake with your visitors. This is your chance to make them feel welcome, interested, and excited to explore more. By analysing this section, I ensure that it is designed to leave a positive and lasting impression, enticing your visitors to stay a while longer and discover what else your website has to offer.
Checking Homepage and Other Important Pages
Now it is time to take a peek into the rooms.
I now go through important pages beyond the homepage. These could be your About, Services, or Contact pages, it just depends. But, I ensure the content is engaging, informative, and aligned with your brand’s voice, conveying a consistent and trustworthy impression to anyone who visits.
Just like you would want each room in your home to reflect your personal style and preferences, your website’s pages should reflect your business identity and values.
The Main Menu – Your Website’s Navigation
Now let’s Imagine your website as a magnificent mansion this time with multiple rooms. The main menu is like the map that helps your visitors navigate through this virtual mansion. Just as you need clear signs to find your way around a big house, your website’s main menu serves as the signpost that directs visitors to different sections and pages.
In a way, the main menu acts as the hub that connects various parts of your website. It ensures that visitors can seamlessly navigate from one area to another. By ensuring that the main menu is organised and easy to use, I make certain that visitors can explore your website without any hassle, finding the information or products they are interested in.
Typography and Imagery
Think of typography and imagery as the interior design elements of your website. They play a vital role in creating a cohesive and visually pleasing environment.
Typography – refers to the fonts and text styles used on your website. Just like the type of furniture and decor you choose for your home, your typography should reflect your brand’s personality. It sets the tone and mood of your website, conveying professionalism, creativity, or whatever vibe you want to convey. When I conduct a website audit, I make sure that the fonts you are using align with your brand identity and are easy to read, ensuring a comfortable reading experience for your visitors.
Imagery – on the other hand, is like the artwork and pictures you hang on the walls of your home. Your website’s images should complement your brand’s personality and create a welcoming atmosphere for your visitors. Just as you would want the artwork in your home to match the overall decor, your website’s images should be consistent with your brand’s aesthetic.
I carefully review these images to ensure they are visually appealing and in line with your brand’s message.
Maintaining consistency – Just as you would want the colours and decorations in your home to be harmonious, your website’s imagery and typography should also work together seamlessly. This ensures that your website feels like a comfortable and inviting space, making your visitors more likely to stay and explore.
Responsiveness and Performance
In today’s world, we use different devices to access websites. I test if your website is responsive, meaning it looks and works well on smartphones, tablets, laptops and desktops. This is important because this makes the user experience smooth and enjoyable, regardless of the device your visitors are using.
In addition to responsiveness, I also check your website’s performance, which includes its loading speed.
A slow loading website can be frustrating for visitors and can lead them to leave before even exploring your content. I assess the speed to ensure that you optimise for a quick loading time. This not only improves user experience but impacts your website’s search engine rankings.
Visibility Boost – Onpage SEO
You know how you look for things using a flashlight in the dark? Well, search engines, like Google, need a bit of help to find your website.
Search engines like Google are like busy detectives that constantly scan the internet to find the most relevant and valuable information for users. But, they need a little help to find what they are looking for. This is where proper website optimisation comes in.
When I conduct a website audit, one of the things I focus on is making sure your website is optimised for search engines to boost trust online. I take a closer look at various elements on your website to ensure they are aligned with search engine requirements. This could be things like your content, images, headings, and other technical aspects that search engines consider important.
When your website is optimised for the search engines it means that when someone searches for topics related to your business or services, your website has a better chance of showing up in the search results.
A higher visibility on search engines not only brings more organic (unpaid) traffic to your website but also increases the likelihood of attracting potential customers who are actively searching for what you offer. So, when I conduct a website audit, I am not only helping you to enhance the functionality of your website but also helping potential visitors and customers easily discover you.
Final Thoughts
Remember, this is just a glimpse of what I cover when I conduct a website audit. There is more that I delve into to ensure your online space is truly at its best. Each website is unique, so the specifics of what I cover can vary, but it will help create an inviting place where visitors feel comfortable and want to stay.
If you are curious about the state of your website, I offer a free website audit. It will give you the chance to uncover any hidden potential and take your online presence from “meh” to “oh yeah!”
