Auditing design & user experience (UX)
When it comes to keeping visitors engaged, design and user experience (UX) are crucial. Ask yourself these questions as you evaluate your site:
- Is your design visually appealing or chaotic? Ensure there’s consistency in fonts, colours, and imagery.
- Is it easy to navigate? Are your menus intuitive, and can visitors quickly find what they’re looking for?
- Is your website mobile-friendly? More than half of web traffic comes from mobile devices, so your site must work seamlessly across all screen sizes.
Tools to use:
- Google PageSpeed Insights: Check your site’s performance, especially on mobile.
- Hotjar: Use heatmaps and session recordings to see where users are clicking and where they’re getting stuck.
Auditing your website’s SEO
Search engine optimisation (SEO) is key to driving organic traffic to your site. An SEO audit should focus on the following:
- Keyword analysis: Are you targeting the right keywords? Use tools to track what your audience is searching for.
- Content quality: Is your content engaging, informative, and free of duplication?
- Meta tags & descriptions: Ensure each page has an attention-grabbing title and meta description that stands out in search results.
- Backlinks: High-quality backlinks improve your site’s authority and visibility.
Tools to use:
- Google Search Console: Track your site’s performance and identify issues.
- Ahrefs or SEMrush: Monitor your backlinks, keyword rankings, and competitor performance.
Auditing website performance
A slow website can turn visitors away and hurt your SEO rankings. Start with these key areas when auditing performance:
- Page load speed: How quickly does your site load on both mobile and desktop? Speed is crucial.
- Image optimisation: Large images can slow your site down. Are your images compressed without losing quality?
- Hosting & infrastructure: Check your hosting provider’s speed and reliability. Test your Time to First Byte (TTFB) to make sure your pages load quickly.
Tools to use:
- Google PageSpeed Insights: Get a performance overview and actionable steps to improve.
- GTmetrix: A detailed breakdown of your site’s performance metrics and improvement suggestions.
- Pingdom Tools: Test your site’s speed from different locations worldwide.
Creating an action plan
After completing your audit, it’s time to take action. Here’s how to proceed:
- Prioritise fixes: Focus on critical issues that impact user experience and SEO.
- Set goals: Define specific objectives—like reducing page load times or improving mobile usability.
- Track progress: Use tools like Google Analytics to monitor your improvements and see how your site performs over time.
What’s next?
Conducting a website audit is an important first step, but putting those findings into action takes expertise. That’s where Coysh Digital can help. Whether your website needs a complete overhaul or targeted improvements, we specialise in creating high-performing, user-friendly websites. We focus on UX, SEO, and site speed, ensuring your website delivers a top-tier experience for your visitors.