What Is a Website Audit? What’s Included and Why It Matters
A website audit (also called a site audit or web audit) is a structured review of how your website performs: how fast it loads, how easy it is to use on a phone, whether search engines can read it, and whether visitors turn into enquiries. The result is a report that lists what’s wrong, why it matters and what to fix first.
If your website already exists but isn’t pulling its weight — slow, outdated, hard to find on Google, or not producing enquiries — a full rebuild isn’t always the answer. An honest look at what’s actually wrong comes first. Curious what the output looks like? See a sample finding.
What’s included in a website audit?
Here are the areas we can review. Your fixed quote confirms the pages, templates, checks, access requirements and delivery date before work begins. The scope is tailored to your website and goals.
1. Speed and performance
A slow site quietly loses you customers before they see what you offer. We check how fast your pages load on desktop and mobile, what’s slowing them down and how that compares to what Google expects from a healthy site. Oversized images and heavy scripts are the usual culprits.
2. Mobile experience
We review the agreed pages on mobile, checking for text that’s too small, buttons that are hard to tap, layouts that break and menus that don’t work. Many visitors arrive on a phone, and for businesses in Kenya a WhatsApp or call button is often the main route to an enquiry, so we check those work and that pages stay usable on slower connections.
3. SEO fundamentals
We check whether your pages are set up to be found: page titles, meta descriptions, heading structure, image alt text, and basic crawlability and indexing issues on the agreed pages. Search Console checks require appropriate access. A site can look great and still be invisible in search if this layer is neglected.
4. Basic technical health
We check HTTPS, SSL certificate validity and visible technical issues. With appropriate access, we also review platform and plugin update status. This is a basic technical review; vulnerability scanning, penetration testing and formal security assessments are outside this service.
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Request a quote →5. Conversion and enquiry journeys
A technically healthy site can still fail to bring in business. We look at whether it’s clear what you do, whether there’s an obvious next step, and whether anything — confusing navigation, broken forms, unclear pricing — is quietly pushing people away. In practice that means walking through every form and button as a first-time visitor would.
6. Content and messaging
We check whether your copy is clear, up to date and speaks to the customer you want, or whether it’s outdated, jargon-heavy or missing information people need before they’ll reach out.
7. Analytics and tracking
With appropriate access, we review GA4 configuration and agreed key events such as enquiries or WhatsApp clicks. Without them you can’t tell which pages bring business. Our guide to tracking website performance explains the basics.
8. Basic accessibility
We review keyboard access, visible focus, form labels and readability on the agreed pages. These are basic usability checks, not a formal compliance assessment.
9. Relevant local context
Where agreed, we review your existing Google Business Profile or selected competitors. Profile setup is quoted separately. Our Google Business Profile setup guide covers the basics.
Common errors a website audit finds
Most audits turn up a familiar set of problems. These are the ones we see most often, with why each matters and how it’s usually fixed.
| Common error | Why it matters | Typical fix |
|---|---|---|
| Missing or duplicate page titles and meta descriptions | Search results show weak or confusing snippets | Write a unique title and description for each key page |
| Oversized images | Slow loading, especially on mobile | Resize and compress, then recheck speed |
| Broken links and 404 pages | Visitors hit dead ends and the site looks neglected | Fix or redirect the broken URLs |
| Missing image alt text | Weaker accessibility and image search | Add short, descriptive alt text |
| Enquiry form fails on mobile | Visitors can’t contact you | Fix the submission error and test the journey on a phone |
| No HTTPS redirect or mixed content | Browser warnings and lost trust | Redirect HTTP to HTTPS and fix insecure resources |
| Outdated plugins or platform | Bugs and avoidable technical risk | Update, then test the affected pages |
| Enquiries not tracked in analytics | You can’t tell which pages bring business | Set up GA4 events for forms and WhatsApp clicks |
| No clear next step on key pages | Interested visitors leave without acting | Add one obvious call to action |
What happens after the audit?
You receive a report documenting the agreed scope, findings, supporting evidence where useful and recommendations ranked by priority. The audit is a paid service. Fixing the issues is optional: if you’d like Nordlyte to carry out the agreed fixes and recheck the affected areas, implementation is quoted separately, with the scope and cost confirmed before work begins.
Mobile enquiry form fails
Priority: High · Enquiries
Why it matters: Visitors may be unable to contact your business.
Recommended fix: Resolve the submission error and test the enquiry journey on mobile.
See our website audit and optimization service to request a fixed quote by WhatsApp or email.
Audit or redesign?
An audit shows what’s wrong with your existing site, which helps you judge whether targeted fixes will do or broader changes are needed. If you already suspect the latter, read 5 signs it’s time to redesign your website or see our website redesign service.
Frequently asked questions
What is a website audit?
A website audit is a structured review of how your website performs: its speed, mobile experience, SEO, usability, tracking and content. You receive a report that lists the issues found, why each matters and which to fix first.
What’s included in a website audit?
We agree the pages and review areas before work starts. These can include speed, mobile usability, on-page SEO, basic technical health, enquiry journeys, content and messaging, basic accessibility, and analytics tracking. Google Business Profile and competitor reviews are included when relevant to the agreed scope.
What errors does a website audit usually find?
Common findings include missing or duplicate page titles and meta descriptions, oversized images, broken links, missing image alt text, enquiry forms that fail on mobile, missing HTTPS redirects, outdated plugins and analytics that don’t track enquiries.
Do I need an audit or a redesign?
An audit helps you understand the issues on your existing website. A redesign may be appropriate when broader changes to structure, design or functionality are needed. See our website redesign service, or we can discuss which approach fits your goals.
Will you fix the issues too?
The audit itself delivers findings and recommendations. If you’d like us to fix them, Nordlyte can carry out the agreed fixes as a separate, optional service and recheck the affected areas. Implementation is quoted separately, with the scope, cost and follow-up checks confirmed before work begins.
Does an audit guarantee more enquiries or higher rankings?
No. The audit identifies problems and opportunities within the agreed scope. Results after implementation depend on factors including traffic quality, competition, your offer and the changes made.
How long does a website audit take?
Your quote includes a delivery date. Timing depends on the agreed scope and when any required access is available.
How much does a website audit cost?
We provide a fixed audit quote based on the number of pages, website complexity and review depth. You approve the scope and price before work begins.
Want to know what’s actually holding your site back?
Share your website and main concern. We’ll confirm the scope, price and delivery date in a fixed quote before any work begins.
Request an audit quote →