SEO Audit Checklist
Disclaimer: While I’d like to credit for the attributes in this SEO Audit Checklist, there really isn’t anything new here that you wouldn’t find on the Google Webmaster Checklist, SEOMOz.org’s Top SEO Ranking Factors, or in David Mihm’s Local SEO Ranking Factors. All I did here was consolidate them and provide links to help you learn more about each factor. Success will depend on proper execution, avoidance of spam tactics, and on the rare occasion, a handshake from a local chimney sweep.
Website-Level, On-Page SEO Audit
The list below involves changes you can make on your website that may increase your ranking in the search results. These tasks involve making your website search engine-friendly, reducing duplicate content, and avoiding actions that could get your website penalized. I chose the order, email me if you disagree with the sequence or verbiage.
Webpage-Level, On-Page SEO Audit
So you’ve made your website search engine-friendly, but that doesn’t mean that you’re going to suddenly appear for every keyword you’d like to rank for in the search results. The following website-level, on-page SEO audit checklist relates to the individual pages that you will be creating targeting specific keywords (or keyword themes). Example, when you search for “SEO Expert”, it’s not my Top 10 SEO Tips homepage that appears, it’s my seo_expert.htm page that appears (try it).
Off-Page SEO Audit Checklist
The recipe for a delicious SEO campaign involves one part on-page SEO and one part off-page SEO. Mix in a little click-through rate (CTR) optimization and now you’re cookin’! The checklist below will help you improve your visibility over time. I strongly advise against launching a new website and raising a flag with Google by acquiring a massive amount of links all at once. Keep your campaign as organic as possible. Don’t make your link building look like a blurp on a chart, make your link building look like Google’s stock chart from 2004 to 2008 (you know what I mean).
Additionally, getting a mention can in some cases be just as important as getting a link, so don’t discount the value of a profile on a trusted website just because they won’t link. Ask the major brands what life was like after the Vince update and you’re sure to get a smile.
Factors You Can’t Control & Shouldn’t Worry About
With every new account I take on comes the questions of “because my competitor’s domain is older, does that mean I’ll never get the top spot?”. SEO is a journey, not a destination. Wit the right amount of nurturing, you can own the top spot for any non-ambiguous, relevant keyword you desire. These factors have historically played a very small role in ranking, but because you can not control them, should not be worried about. Being aware of these factors will help you understand why a competitor may have a top placement even though they may not be doing much search engine optimization work.
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