Technical Site Audit vs. SEO Site Audit: What’s the Difference?
Even well-maintained website need a thorough tune-up from time to time. Both SEO site audits and technical site audits provide useful, actionable ways to improve overall site performance, but they aren’t quite the same thing. If you’re conducting an audit internally or working with a vendor, know what you’re getting into. Understand the differences between a technical site audit and an SEO site audit so you can decide which best serves your current needs.
What Is an SEO Site Audit?
SEO site audits evaluate the search engine optimization characteristics of a site. They are a detailed, time-intensive deep dive into the many (many, many) factors that impact how well your site is indexed by Google and how well certain pages rank. An SEO site will usually include:
On-page SEO
Keyword targets per page
Indexability and crawlability
Navigation and site organization
A good SEO audit won’t just check the boxes. An experienced SEO (hey, what’s up) will prioritize the biggest opportunities and provide clear directions to address the most substantial issues holding your site back.
SEO Site Audit Tools and Timelines
There are many site audit tools available, including Screaming Frog, Moz, Semrush, and Ahrefs. Ask your vendor about the software they use.
Expect an SEO audit to take roughly 8-10 hours to complete. Your SEO vendor will compile its findings into a clear, prioritized list for your consideration; make the fixes yourself or continue working with the vendor to implement the solutions.
What Is a Technical Site Audit?
A technical site audit also examines indexability and crawlability, but focuses considerably more on technical elements like page speed, backlinks, and the “under the hood” elements of a website. TSAs are especially important for large sites with expansive product catalogs, multiple locations, a large blog library, or complex pagination settings.
Technical Site Audit Tools and Timelines
Tools like Semrush, Moz, and Screaming Frog are also used for technical site audits. These tools are relatively pricey, which makes hiring an outside vendor most cost-effective; if you have the team, they can often implement the fixes recommended by your SEO partner.
Technical site audits take a solid 5-7 hours, although larger sites can take considerably longer. Expect a week or two turnaround time and know that your site is not fixed after a TSA. Think of it as a trip to the doctor’s office; she can tell you what’s wrong, but you’ll need to work together to improve your health.
Which One Should I Do First?
We strongly recommend starting with a technical site audit. Investing in a technically sound website will ensure you get even more about immediate and long-term SEO marketing efforts. Both are valuable, though; that’s why Sovis Media conducts a combined SEO and technical site audit divided into technical fixes and SEO opportunities. We’ve also found this approach to improve overall results for our clients while being considerably more cost-effective.
These audits aren’t a one-and-done thing, either. We recommend annual or bi-annual audits; the more you add content and the more you rely on your site, the more often you’ll need to tune it up!
Get Under the Hood with Sovis Media
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