You can perform a technical SEO audit by checking site speed, mobile usability, and indexing status. This process fixes hidden errors to help your local business website rank higher on Google Search.
Do you own a local business and want more customers from the web? A technical SEO audit helps your website appear in Google search results. This process checks your site for hidden errors. These errors might stop search engines from reading your pages.
Your digital marketing success relies on a healthy website. I will guide you through this process using simple steps. You will learn to use a technical SEO audit checklist. This guide makes the task clear and effective for you.
What is a Technical SEO Audit?
A technical SEO audit acts like a health check for your website. It reviews backend elements that affect your search engine visibility. This process finds errors that are stopping Google from reading your pages. You need to ensure a strong foundation for your digital marketing success.
Benefits of a Technical SEO Audit
You gain many advantages from a regular audit. It improves your overall SEO performance. Your site becomes faster and easier to use. This keeps visitors on your page longer.
A clean site helps you rank higher for local SEO. You will likely see growth in organic traffic. This means more local customers can find you. It also helps your SEO strategy work better.
You save money by fixing errors early. A broken site wastes your SEO efforts. This process ensures your site follows every webmaster guideline.
16 Technical SEO Checklist for Local Business Website
You need a clear plan to fix your site. This technical SEO audit checklist covers the essentials. Follow these steps to improve your website’s health.
1. Preferred Version (WWW vs non-WWW)
You must pick one URL format. People might type “www” or leave it out. Both inputs should load the exact same page. Search engines might see two different sites otherwise. This creates duplicate content issues. You should set up a redirect to your main version.
2. SSL
Security is significant for every local business. You need an active SSL certificate. It changes your address from HTTP to HTTPS. This keeps customer data safe. Google warns users if a site lacks this. You should fix this immediately to build trust.
3. HSTS Header
This setting adds more security to your HTTPS. It forces browsers to load the secure version only. This prevents common attacks on your site. You can check this during a site audit. It ensures a safe connection for users.
4. Robots.txt
This file talks to search engine bots. You tell them where to go. You also block them from private admin pages. A wrong setting here can hide your whole site. You should review this file carefully.
5. Sitemap
A sitemap lists all your important pages. It guides Google through your website structure. You submit this XML file to Google Search Console. It helps bots find new content quickly. You must ensure it is error-free.
6. Proper Indexing
You need to confirm Google lists your pages. Type “site:[suspicious link removed]” into the search bar. This command displays your pages in search results. Missing pages mean a technical issue exists. Google Search Console helps you inspect specific URLs.
7. GSC vs. Live Score comparison
Do not rely on just one data source. You should compare Google Search Console data with live tests. Google Lighthouse provides real-time checks. Field data often differs from lab data. This comparison reveals your true SEO performance.
8. Broken Links (4XX)
You might encounter various 4XX errors during a scan. These are client-side issues. The most common is the 404 “Not Found” error. You might also see 403 errors where access is forbidden. These stop users and bots immediately.
These errors hurt your user experience. They waste the time of search engine crawlers. You must scan your site regularly to find them. Fix or remove these links to maintain site health.
9. Redirection (3XX)
Redirections guide traffic from old URLs to new ones. You use 301 redirects for permanent moves. You use 302 redirects for temporary changes. Using the wrong type confuses Google.
You must handle these carefully during a site audit. Avoid creating long chains of redirects. Chains slow down your site speed. Keep your internal links direct. This helps bots understand your site structure.
10. Page Speed (Core Web Vitals)
Fast websites rank higher. Google measures speed with Core Web Vital metrics. You should test pages using Google PageSpeed Insights. Slow loading times lose customers. Fix code issues to improve results.
11. Mobile-Friendliness
Most people search for local shops on phones. Your design must adapt to small screens. Mobile SEO is a ranking factor now. Google uses your mobile site for indexing. Test your layout on various devices.
12. Site Structure
You need a logical layout for content. Visitors must find information easily. A good site structure organizes pages well. Use clear categories to group topics. This helps search engines understand context. It also improves the user journey.
13. Crawl Depth
Important pages must be easy to reach. There should be no more than 2 to 3 clicks from the root domain. Content buried deeper gets crawled less often.
A flat site structure helps here. This ensures Google finds your service pages quickly. You want your high-value content near the homepage. This improves your overall SEO performance.
14. Duplicate Content / Canonical Tags
Local businesses often make a common mistake. They copy text across pages for different cities. This creates a serious duplicate content issue. Google might filter these pages out of search results.
You need unique descriptions for every location page. Use canonical tags to tell bots which version is original. This solves technical SEO issues effectively. It protects your ranking potential.
15. Image Optimization
Large images slow down websites. You must compress file sizes. Add descriptive alt text for accessibility. This helps search engines understand the picture. It boosts your site speed significantly. Fast images keep users engaged.
16. Local Schema Markup
This code boosts local search results. You add specific data to your HTML. It defines your address and hours. It helps you appear on Google Maps. Use schema markup (Organization, LocalBusiness, and Map Schema) to clarify business details.
Tools to Use
You need reliable software for your audit. These programs find hidden data quickly. I recommend these specific options for every SEO specialist.
- Google Search Console (GSC): You should start here. It tracks indexing status and crawl errors. You can also check Core Web Vitals reports. It is an essential SEO tool for monitoring health.
- Google Analytics: You can analyze user behavior with this platform. It shows where your organic traffic comes from. You understand how visitors interact with your pages.
- Screaming Frog: These desktop programs crawl your entire website. They identify broken links and redirect chains. You use them for a deep technical audit.
- Google PageSpeed Insights: You must test speed with this specific tool. It grades your site performance on mobile and desktop. It suggests fixes to improve loading times.
- Schema Validator: You verify your structured data here. It checks your schema markup for syntax errors. This ensures search engines read your business details correctly.
Final Takeaway
You now understand the value of a technical SEO audit. It builds a strong base for your local business. You fix errors to help google search find you. Regular checks keep your site speed high. This leads to more customers and better rankings.
Your digital marketing results depend on this foundation. You should not ignore these technical details. A healthy site supports all your SEO efforts. It ensures long-term growth for your brand.
FAQs
What do you need from a client before completing a technical SEO audit?
I need access to your Google Analytics and Search Console. You should also provide website login details. I need to know your main business goals. This helps me find the most critical SEO issue.
Can I do a technical audit myself, or do I need an expert?
Yes. You can use free tools for a basic check. However, complex technical SEO issues require experience. An SEO specialist digs deeper into the code. They save you time and ensure accuracy.
How much does a technical SEO audit cost?
The price varies based on site size. Basic automated reports might cost less. A manual local SEO audit by an expert costs more. You pay for the depth and actionable strategy provided.
Need a Professional Technical SEO Audit for a Local Business Website?
If you want a full technical SEO audit, I can help you. I review site structure, speed, and indexing issues that limit Google Search visibility.
I explain what needs fixing and how your website can better support your local business. Each audit includes clear steps based on your CMS, competition, and SEO strategy.
📞 WhatsApp: +880 1923 456014
📧 Email: hello@fahimfkamal.com
🔗 SEO Services: https://fahimfkamal.com/services/
I review every technical audit factor that impacts search results. My goal is to help you fix errors and improve your organic traffic.
Fahim Foysal Kamal is a dedicated Local SEO Specialist based in Sylhet, Bangladesh. His work focuses on enhancing online visibility for small businesses and e-commerce platforms. This includes leveraging the latest trends like AEO and GEO. The services he provides include Google Business Profile optimization, local keyword research, on-page SEO, and technical SEO. His main passion is helping businesses grow by improving their search rankings and online presence.
