SEO Audit Services

SEO Audit Timeline: 14 to 28 Days

My typical SEO audit timeline runs anywhere from two weeks to four weeks. A small site might only take me a fortnight to fully examine and present a set of actions. A large e-commerce site or a site with many technical problems can push the timeline closer to a month.

During this period, I communicate with the site owner or the relevant team members to clarify certain issues. If I see a pattern of broken product pages, I might reach out and ask for background details. This allows me to confirm whether the problem is a coding glitch or an issue with how the products are set up in the database. I prefer open communication throughout the process. That way, I do not rely on guesswork, and I can produce a final report that is accurate and ready for action.

Our Philosophy

I do not churn out a quick and generic report. My clients deserve an in-depth review that points out what truly matters. If a site has broken code or design problems that push visitors away, I show exactly where those exist. If content is weak or failing to rank, I point out the reasons and present a plan to correct it. By focusing on clear tasks and assigning them to the right people (like developers or content writers), I ensure practical results instead of broad statements.

For example, let’s imagine a small online shop in Cork that sells handmade clothing. The site might have a slow checkout page, incomplete meta tags on product pages, or missing alt text on images. I would run a crawl with SEMrush to see if there are indexing errors and examine the site’s architecture. I might use Ahrefs to gauge keyword rankings and see what terms the shop might target. Then, I would prioritise the biggest issues first—perhaps the site speed problem, which can affect user experience and search engine placement. I would assign that task to a developer who can tackle coding changes or hosting concerns. Meanwhile, I might recommend a copywriter to enhance the product descriptions and incorporate relevant search phrases.

That is the kind of hands-on audit I perform. I want tasks done by the right specialist, whether it is a technical expert or a writer. I also want to ensure the order of tasks makes sense, so we do not attempt content fixes if the site structure is broken. My system of prioritisation saves time and money while maximising outcomes.

My Custom Audit Approach

Every audit I conduct is custom. While I have a general checklist—technical factors, on-page content, metadata, speed, links, and so forth—I adapt my analysis to fit the site’s goals.

A brand-new startup with a small site might need a simpler approach than a large online retailer with thousands of pages. I avoid superficial audits that show a long list of errors but fail to differentiate minor issues from major ones. Instead, I highlight the problems that impact search rankings most.

Let’s say I am auditing a local bakery in Kerry with a small website. I might see that it has strong content about baked goods, but it is missing structured data for location information. That might mean local searches are not picking it up as easily. I would include the structured data fix as a high-priority item since local SEO can be important for foot traffic. On the other hand, if that bakery only has five pages, it might not need the same level of internal link restructuring that a large site would require.

Step-by-Step Outline of My SEO Audit Process

Though I adjust each audit to fit specific needs, I do have a rough structure for how I work:

Follow-Up: I suggest regular check-ins to see if changes are implemented properly. I might rerun a crawl after big fixes to confirm problems are gone. If there are new issues or if certain tasks uncovered extra concerns, I address those quickly. This step makes sure we do not let problems linger.

Initial Call or Email – I begin by hearing about the site’s history, goals, and any current concerns. Some clients share that their traffic has dropped. Others say they want to boost rankings for a few target phrases. This information shapes my approach.

Crawl and Technical Checks – Next, I run a site crawl using SEMrush. I look for broken pages, slow-loading elements, and indexing errors. Then, I review site speed metrics. I also check security elements, such as HTTPS usage, and confirm if the site is mobile-friendly.

Backlink and Keyword Analysis – I use Ahrefs and SEMrush to gauge the site’s keyword placements and link profile. I note where the site might have strong links or harmful links that could cause ranking problems. I also see which pages are performing well in search and which pages are underperforming.

Content Review – I read key pages to assess clarity, keyword usage, and overall relevance. I look at blog posts, product descriptions, homepage copy, and meta tags. If something is too short, stuffed with awkward phrases, or unclear, I flag it. I also check if images have alt text and if headings are properly structured.

Competitor Insight – If needed, I review a few competitor sites to see how they rank, what keywords they target, and how their backlinks compare. This step helps me spot gaps or new content opportunities.

Prioritised Task List – After gathering all the data, I create a list of issues and tasks. I rank them based on impact. For instance, if the site is missing crucial title tags, that might be high priority. A minor design tweak might be lower priority. I also note which person or team might handle the work—developer, writer, designer, or marketing lead.

Discussion and Next Steps – I share these findings with the client. We discuss the list, clarify any points, and decide on a plan. If the client has in-house staff, I make sure they know what tasks fall on which department. If the client wants me to handle everything, I coordinate with specialists I trust.

1. SEMrush

A comprehensive SEO suite that helps analyse on-page SEO, backlinks, keyword rankings, and technical issues.

2. Screaming Frog

This is our favourite tools. A powerful website crawler that identifies broken links, duplicate content, missing metadata, and technical SEO issues.

3. Ahrefs

Excellent for backlink analysis, keyword research, competitor analysis, and site audits.

4. Google Search Console

Provides insights into search performance, indexing issues, mobile usability, and site errors.

5. Google Analytics

Tracks user behavior, traffic sources, engagement metrics, and conversion data for SEO insights.

6. Chrome Developer Tools

Helps diagnose performance issues, page speed problems, and technical SEO factors like JavaScript rendering.

7. PageSpeed Insights

Analyses site speed and provides recommendations for improving Core Web Vitals and load times