If you have ever heard someone mention a website health audit and thought, “What on earth is that?”, don't worry.
It sounds technical, but it is really just a proper look under the bonnet of your website to see how it is holding up.
When I run an audit, I am checking for anything that could be slowing your site down, confusing your visitors, or hurting your visibility on Google.
Think of it as a friendly MOT for your website, with clear advice you can actually use.
Here is what I look at and why each part matters.
Security and SSL
What it means:
I check whether your website has a valid SSL certificate, that little padlock in the browser bar, and whether your plugins, theme and WordPress version are up to date.
Why it matters:
An out-of-date website is easy to attack. Missing security updates can make your site vulnerable, and a broken SSL can put visitors off instantly. It is a small thing that makes a big difference to trust.
Site Speed
What it means:
I look at how quickly your site loads on desktop and mobile. Slow websites are usually caused by large images, heavy page builders or old scripts.
Why it matters:
No one wants to wait for a slow page to load. A faster website keeps people browsing for longer and helps your rankings on Google too.
Mobile Friendliness
What it means:
Your site needs to look and work properly on phones and tablets. I check how the layout adjusts, how menus behave and whether buttons are easy to tap.
Why it matters:
Most people will visit your site on their phone. If the design feels awkward or hard to use, they will leave quickly and might not come back.
SEO Basics
What it means:
I review your page titles, meta descriptions, headings and internal links to make sure they describe your content clearly.
Why it matters:
These small details help Google understand your pages and show them in the right searches. They are simple to improve and often bring quick results.
Technical Checks
What it means:
I look for broken links, missing pages, slow redirects and old tracking codes that no longer do anything useful.
Why it matters:
These issues might seem small but they make a website feel untidy. Fixing them keeps your site reliable and professional.
User Experience (UX)
What it means:
This is about how it feels to use your site. Can someone find what they need easily? Do key details stand out? Are buttons clear and forms simple to fill in?
Why it matters:
A good user experience builds confidence. When people find what they need without fuss, they are more likely to get in touch, book, or buy.
Competitor Comparison
What it means:
I take a quick look at what your main competitors are doing online. This might include how they structure their pages, what keywords they seem to target, and how clear their calls-to-action are.
Why it matters:
It is not about copying anyone. It is about spotting gaps and opportunities. Maybe a rival explains their services better, or maybe they load faster but do not blog at all. Seeing these differences helps shape your priorities and gives you ideas to stand out.
When to run an audit?
If you're experiencing any of the below - then it's time to book a health audit / website MOT
- Your site feels slower than it used to
- Your not getting many enquiries from your site
- You have not updated plugins or content for months
- You have recently changed your design or layout
Why It Is Worth Doing
A website health audit gives you a clear, honest picture of how your site is performing.
It shows what is working well, what needs a tweak and where you can make easy improvements.
It is not about selling a redesign. It is about keeping your website in good shape so it continues to support your business and attract visitors.