When’s the last time you checked your website? Looked at it and not just admired the homepage or checked if a blog post loaded.
We’re talking about the stuff under the hood how fast it loads, if it’s showing up on Google, if it’s even pointing visitors in the right direction.
Most small business owners don’t have time to think about SEO, let alone know where to start.
That’s where a website audit for SEO comes in, and no, it doesn’t require a tech degree or expensive tools.
Let me walk you through it like I would with a friend. Because we’ve done this for dozens of small businesses, many of them didn’t even know their site was invisible online.
What Even Is a Website Audit for SEO?
Quick version? It’s like an oil change for your website.
It’s not about a full redesign. It’s about checking the basic things that help your site:
- Show up on Google
- Load quickly
- Be easy to use (especially on mobile)
- Actually lead people somewhere (like your contact page)
You’d be shocked how many sites have broken links, missing info, or no keywords on their most important pages.
The Free Website Audit for SEO Checklist
1. Check Page Titles & Meta Descriptions
Each page should have a unique, relevant title (with a keyword!) and a meta description that tells people what they’ll get.
Bad:<title>Home</title>
Better:<title>Wedding Photography in Milwaukee | [Your Brand Name]</title>
2. Mobile-Friendliness
Pull up your site on your phone.
- Is the text readable without zooming?
- Can you click buttons easily?
- Does it feel frustrating?
If yes to that last one… it needs fixing.
Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test — it’s free.
3. Check Page Speed
Nobody likes a slow website. Especially Google.
Use PageSpeed Insights. It’ll tell you what’s slowing you down usually huge images or too many plugins.
Quick Fix: Compress images under 300KB. Tools like TinyPNG can help.
4. Review Your Content
Read your homepage like a first-time visitor. Ask:
- Do I know what this business does in 3 seconds or less?
- Are the services clear?
- Is it easy to find the contact info?
Also, are you using your city or service keywords naturally?
If you’re a dog trainer in Brookfield, say so. Don’t just call yourself “the best.”
5. Image Optimization
This one’s missed a lot.
- Are your images properly sized?
- Do they have alt text that describes them? (Bonus: It helps accessibility, too.)
Alt text example: "woman getting haircut in Racine salon"
6. Internal Linking
Link between your own pages—blog to service page, homepage to contact form, etc.
Why? It keeps people exploring and helps Google understand your site better.
7. Fix Broken Links
Dead links = bad experience.
Use Broken Link Checker. Replace or remove anything that leads nowhere.
8. Check Your Business Info (NAP)
NAP = Name, Address, Phone number.
Make sure it’s:
- On every page footer
- Matches what’s on your Google Business Profile
- Clickable on mobile
9. SSL Certificate (HTTPS)
If your site still says “Not Secure” at the top… you’re losing trust instantly.
Most hosting providers offer free SSL.
10. Set Up Google Search Console
If you haven’t done this yet, do it.
It’s free. It shows how people are finding you (or not), tracks indexing issues, and even lets you submit your sitemap.
We recommend connecting both Search Console and Google Analytics on day one.
What Happens After You Fix This Stuff?
Well, one of our clients (a Milwaukee-based event planner) did this audit with us in a single afternoon.
A week later, she noticed her bounce rate dropped and she got 2 inquiries through her contact form, just from updating her site title and fixing broken pages.
Sometimes, it’s not about fancy tactics. It’s about tightening what’s already there.
Don’t Want to Do It Yourself? We Got You.
If this all sounds great but also makes your brain hurt ,we totally get it.
That’s exactly why RKL Digital offers quick-turnaround, human-centered SEO audits for small businesses.
We’ll walk through your site, send you a clear, jargon-free report, and even fix things if you want.
We’ve helped businesses across Wisconsin and beyond go from “invisible online” to “ranking on page 1” in less than 90 days.
Don’t Wait for Google to Find You—Guide It
You’ve spent time building your business. Your website should be working for you, not hiding in the digital basement.
A website audit for SEO is one of the easiest ways to unlock better visibility, more traffic, and actual leads.
It’s free to start. Easy to do. And if you ever need help, we’re right here.