Technical SEO audits are like oil changes for a website – vital for smooth operation, yet their benefits can be subtle. So, how do you determine if meticulously implemented audit recommendations are actually translating into SEO nirvana?
Monitoring Metrics
- Track site’s health: Google Search Console’s ‘health score’ is a canary in the SEO coal mine. As you address audit-identified issues, observe that score climb, reflecting a cleaner, more search-engine-friendly website.
- Analyze the site’s speed: Speedy websites are happy websites, and search engines love them too. Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights and WebPageTest show you how quickly pages load and how optimization efforts are trimming precious milliseconds.
- Check site’s crawlability: Think of search engine crawlers as eager readers – if they can’t access pages, they can’t rank them! Tools like Screaming Frog and Sitebulb reveal crawl errors and blocked pages, enabling you to ensure content is readily devoured by search engine spiders.
- Review site’s structure: A clear, logical website structure guides both users and search engines effortlessly through content. Monitor changes in organic traffic and keyword rankings to determine if improved URL structure is leading to happier visitors and higher visibility.
- Evaluate site’s security: A secure website is a trustworthy website, and trust is gold in the eyes of search engines. Keep an eye on security certificates, HTTPS implementation, and malware scans to ensure the website is a safe haven for both visitors and SEO performance.
Beyond the Numbers
Don’t rely solely on metrics! Analyze changes in user behaviour:
- Bounce rate: Does improved loading speed keep users engaged longer?
- Time on page: Are users delving deeper into content thanks to a cleaner site structure?
- Conversions: Has fixing technical issues made the website a smoother conversion machine?
Remember, SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. Seeing significant improvements may take time. But by consistently monitoring these metrics and user behaviour, you’ll have tangible proof that technical SEO audits are paving the way for a brighter, more visible future.
Pro Tips
- Schedule regular audits to maintain peak technical health.
- Prioritize high-impact issues for faster gains.
- Share findings and progress with your team to maintain momentum.
So, unleash the inner data detective and track the impact of technical SEO audits. With the right tools and a keen eye, you’ll soon be singing the praises of a website that’s not just technically sound but also an SEO champion!