How to Audit Your Website for Functionality and Usability

When running a website, it’s essential to audit it regularly to ensure that it’s functioning correctly and meeting your needs. A website audit checklist can help ensure you don’t miss any critical details. Some items to consider when auditing your website include checking for broken links, incorrect file permissions, missing files, and outdated content.

You may also want to examine your website’s design and usability and its search engine optimization. Regularly auditing your website can keep it running smoothly and avoid any significant problems down the line.

What Is a Website Audit and Why Should You Do One?

A website audit is a comprehensive review of your site’s design, functionality, usability, and SEO (search engine optimization). It’s essential to audit your website regularly – at least once a year – to ensure it’s performing well and meeting your needs. A website audit checklist can help you remember all the essential details to look for.

This is what WowVisible does, and we provide a comprehensive website audit that will show you where your website stands today, what needs to be improved and how you can improve your website.

Some of the critical things to check for during a website audit include:

1. Broken Links
2. Incorrect File Permissions
3. Missing Files
4. Outdated Content
5. Poor Design and Usability
6. Poor Search Engine Optimization

Broken Links

Broken links are one of the first things to check for during a website audit. Broken links can frustrate visitors and make it difficult for search engines to index your site. To find broken links on your website, you can use a tool like Xenu Link Sleuth or Screaming Frog SEO Spider.

Why Do Broken Links Exist?

There are a few reasons why broken links may exist on your website:

1. The page or file you’re linking to has been moved or deleted.

This is the most common reason for broken links. For example, when you change the URL of a page on your website, any links pointing to the old URL will break.

2. The website you’re linking to has changed its URL structure.

The site may have changed its URL structure if you’re linking to an external website. For example, this can happen if the site is redesigned or migrated to a new platform.

3. The link is incorrectly formatted.

This is a common mistake when manually entering links into your website’s code. Always double-check the link before publishing it to ensure it’s correctly formatted

4. The link is pointing to an outdated version of the page.

If you’re linking to an updated page, the link may be pointing to an outdated version of the page. This can happen if the URL structure changes or the page has been moved to a new location.

5. The link is pointing to a page that doesn’t exist.

This can happen if you’re linking to a page that’s been deleted or if the URL has been entered incorrectly.

In need of a website audit? We offer free website audit reports. We’ll ensure your website is up to par and help you fix any issues that may be holding it back.

How to Fix Broken Links

If you find broken links on your website, there are a few things you can do to fix them:

1. 301 redirects the broken link to the new page.

If you’ve changed the URL of a page on your website, you can 301 redirect the old URL to the new one. This will redirect visitors who try to access the old URL to the new page.

2. Update the link to point to the new page.

If you’ve changed the URL of a page on your website, you’ll need to update any links pointing to the old URL to point to the new one.

3. Update the link to point to the correct page.

If you find a broken link on your website pointing to an incorrect page, you can update the link to the correct page.

4. Remove the link from your website.

If you find a broken link on your website pointing to a page that doesn’t exist, you may want to remove the link from your website. This will prevent visitors from landing on a 404 error page.

5. Contact the owner of the linked-to website.

If you’re linking to an external website and the link is broken, you may want to contact the site owner to let them know. They may be able to update the link or provide you with a new one.

Incorrect File Permissions

Another thing to check for during a website audit is incorrect file permissions. Incorrect file permissions can cause problems with your website’s functionality and may make it vulnerable to security threats.

What Are File Permissions?

File permissions control who can access a file and what they can do with it. There are three types of file permissions:

1. Read – This permission allows users to view the contents of a file
2. Write – This permission allows users to modify the contents of a file.
3. Execute – This permission allows users to run a file as a program.

How to Check File Permissions

To check the file permissions on your website, you can use a tool like FTP Client or SSH Client. Once you’re logged in, you’ll be able to view the permissions for each file and folder on your website.

How to Fix Incorrect File Permissions

If you find that any of your website’s files have incorrect file permissions, you can fix them by updating the permissions in your FTP client or SSH client.

Missing Files

Another thing to look for during a website audit is missing files. Missing files can cause errors on your website and may prevent certain features from working correctly.

When it’s time to do a website audit, don’t forget to check out our website SEO analysis for free! We’ll help you identify any issues that may be holding your website back from its full potential.

How to Check for Missing File

There are a few ways to check for missing files on your website:

1. Use an FTP or SSH client to check for missing files.
2. Use a tool like Google Webmaster Tools to check for 404 errors.
3. Check your website’s source code for broken links.
4. Use a tool like Xenu’s Link Sleuth to check for broken links.

How to Fix Missing Files

If you find missing files on your website, there are a few things you can do to fix the issue:

1. Upload the missing file to your server.
2. Add a redirect for the missing file.
3. Remove any links pointing to the missing file.
4. Update your website’s sitemap.
5. Contact the owner of the linked-to website.

Outdated Content

Outdated content is another common issue that can be found during a website audit. Outdated content can make your website look dated and may prevent visitors from finding the information they’re looking for.

What Happens When The Content is Outdated?

There are a few things that can happen when the content on your website is outdated:

1. Visitors may not be able to find the information they’re looking for.
2. Your website may not rank as highly in search engines
3. Your website may look dated and unprofessional.

How to Check for Outdated Content

There are a few ways to check for outdated content on your website

1. Check your website’s blog posts and articles to see if they’re outdated.
2. Use a tool like Google Analytics to see how long ago people last visited your website.
3. Check your website’s source code for dates.
4. Use a tool like Xenu’s Link Sleuth to check for broken links.

How to Fix Outdated Content

If you find that your website’s content is outdated, you can fix the problem by updating the content. You may also consider adding new content to your website to keep it fresh and up-to-date.

If you find outdated content on your website, there are a few things you can do to fix the issue:

1. Update the outdated content.
2. Remove the outdated content from your website.
3. Add a redirect for the outdated content.
4. Update your website’s sitemap.
5. Contact the owner of the linked-to website.

Websites are like cars – they need to be regularly maintained in order to keep them running smoothly. A website audit is the perfect opportunity to give your website a check-up and make sure everything is working properly. By taking the time to audit your website, you can avoid potential problems down the road and keep your website running smoothly.

Website Design and Usability

Another thing to consider when auditing your website is its design and usability. A well-designed website should be easy to navigate and use. It should also be visually appealing and informative.

The Downcast of Poor Website Design

There are a few things that can happen if your website has poor design and usability:

1. Visitors may not be able to find the information they’re looking for.
2. Your website may not rank as highly in search engines.
3. Your website may look dated and unprofessional.
4. Your website may be difficult to navigate and use.

When designing your website, you should keep the following things in mind:

1. Navigation – Your website should be easy to navigate so visitors can find the information they’re looking for.
2. Appearance – Your website should be visually appealing and informative.
3. Usability – Your website should be easy to use.
4. Search Engine Optimization – Your website should be optimized for search engines.
5. Mobile-Friendly – Your website should be mobile-friendly so visitors can access it from their smartphones and tablets.

How to Check for Design and Usability Issues

There are a few ways to check for design and usability issues on your website:

1. Use a tool like Google Analytics to see how people interact with your website.
2. Check your website’s source code for errors.
3. Use a tool like Xenu’s Link Sleuth to check for broken links.
4. Use a tool like Google’s PageSpeed Insights to check for performance issues.

How to Fix Design and Usability Issues

If you find that your website has design and usability issues, you can fix the problem by updating the design and ensuring that all of your website’s pages are easy to use.

Search Engine Optimization

Another important aspect of your website is its search engine optimization. Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of optimizing your website to rank highly in search engines. This can be done by using keywords and phrases and other techniques.

The Benefits of Good SEO

There are a few benefits of having good SEO:

1. Your website will rank higher in search engines.

This is important because it will help more people find your website. Once people find your website, they’re more likely to visit it.

2. Your website will get more traffic.

More traffic means more opportunities for you to sell your products or services. It also means more chances to generate leads and build relationships with potential customers.

3. Your website will be more visible.

A well-optimized website is more likely to appear in search results, meaning more people will see it. This can help you attract new customers and grow your business.

WowVisible is a top provider of SEO services. We can help you optimize your website to rank highly in search engines. Contact us today to learn more about our services.

How to Check for SEO Issues

There are a few ways to check for SEO issues on your website:

1. Check your website’s source code for errors.
2. Use a tool like Google’s PageSpeed Insights to check for performance issues.
3. Use a tool like Xenu’s Link Sleuth to check for broken links.
4. Use a tool like Google Analytics to see how people find your website.

How to Fix SEO Issues

If your website has SEO issues, you can fix the problem by optimizing your website for search engines. This can be done by using keywords and phrases and other techniques.

The Top 10 Tools for Website Auditing

Like most people, you probably don’t give your website a second thought – until something goes wrong. That’s when a website audit checklist can come in handy.

A website audit is simply a review of your site to make sure everything is functioning correctly and that it meets your needs. This can be anything from checking for broken links to examining your site’s design and usability.

There are many different website audit tools available, but which one is right for you? Here’s a look at 10 of the best:

1. Google Webmaster Tools

Google Webmaster Tools is a free service from Google that gives you insights into how your site is performing in the search engine. It also provides information on any errors that Google has found on your site.

2. Bing Webmaster Tools

Bing Webmaster Tools is similar to Bing, providing insights into how your site is performing in the search engine and any errors Bing has found on your site.

3. Xenu Link Sleuth

Xenu Link Sleuth is a free desktop application crawling your website and checking for broken links. It can also check for incorrect file permissions, missing files, and outdated content.

4. W3C Link Checker

The W3C Link Checker is a free online tool that checks the validity of links on a web page.

5. Screaming Frog SEO Spider

The Screaming Frog SEO Spider is a desktop application that crawls websites and looks for common SEO issues. It’s available in both free and paid versions.

6. Google Analytics

Google Analytics is a free service that provides detailed statistics about your website’s traffic. It can also help you track conversions and goals.

7. Clicky

Clicky is a paid service that provides detailed statistics about your website’s traffic, similar to Google Analytics. It also offers heat maps and session recordings.

8. Crazy Egg

Crazy Egg is a paid service that provides your website heat maps and scroll maps. This can help identify areas of your site that are getting the most attention.

9. UserTesting

UserTesting is a paid service that lets you get feedback from real people on your website. This can help identify usability issues.

10. HubSpot Website Grader

HubSpot’s Website Grader is a free online tool that grades your website on various factors, including performance, SEO, security, and social media.

Auditing your website is an essential part of maintaining a robust online presence. Using the right tools ensures that your site is functioning correctly and meeting your needs.

Tips for Keeping Your Website Running Smoothly

1. Check for broken links regularly.
2. Make sure your site is accessible on all devices.
3. Keep your content up-to-date.
4. Test your forms and checkout process regularly.
5. Monitor your website’s performance with tools like Google Analytics.
6. Use a website audit tool to check for common issues.
7. Stay up-to-date on website security threats.
8. Back up your website regularly.

Following these tips can keep your website running smoothly and avoid common issues.

Up Your Game With These Advanced Website Audit Tips

It’s a game of who’s got the best website these days. With so many businesses vying for attention online, ensuring your site is up to par is more critical than ever. Do not let your website be the weak link in your marketing strategy.

To ensure your website is functioning at its best, it must be audited regularly. This can help you identify and fix any issues hindering your site’s performance.

 

Do you need help in auditing your website? Then, check out our services today! We offer a comprehensive website audit checklist to help you take your site to the next level. So don’t wait – get started on auditing your website today!