Website Audit Checklist: 10 Steps to Launch a High-Performing Site in 2025

If your website isn’t converting, ranking, or even loading fast—chances are, it’s broken somewhere in ways a proper website audit checklist would reveal.

And we don’t mean broken like a page is missing. We mean broken like it’s costing you customers every single day.

Whether you’re about to launch your site or already have one live, this website audit checklist will walk you through 10 essential checkpoints to ensure your site actually performs. Think of it as your website’s health report—with action items you can implement today.

So let’s fix what’s slowing you down and set your digital foundation up for real success in 2025.

Side-by-side comparison showing a cluttered desk labeled ‘Your Website Before’ and a clean, organized desk labeled ‘Your Website After,’ symbolizing the transformation of a website.

Your first step? Make sure your site is functional under the hood.

  • Are there any broken links or 404 errors?

  • Do all your pages load correctly across devices?

  • Are your redirects working?

Tool Tip: Use free tools like Screaming Frog or Google Search Console to crawl your site.

This step is the heart of any reliable website audit checklist—it ensures your digital infrastructure doesn’t sabotage your user experience.

Over 60% of searches happen on mobile. If your site doesn’t look (and work) great on mobile devices, Google penalizes your ranking—and users bounce fast.

  • Does your site adapt to different screen sizes?

  • Are buttons easy to click on mobile?

  • Is the navigation menu clean and accessible?

Pro Tip: Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test can give you instant insights.

A hand pointing at a smartphone with a speech bubble saying ‘Someone FIX this!!!’ representing frustration with a broken or malfunctioning website.

Fast sites convert. Slow ones lose users. It’s that simple.

  • Aim for a load time under 3 seconds

  • Optimize images and minimize third-party scripts

  • Eliminate render-blocking resources

Run a test: Use PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix to get performance scores and fix what’s lagging.

An unsecured site (HTTP) is a red flag for visitors and Google alike. It’s 2025—SSL is non-negotiable.

  • Install an SSL certificate via your hosting provider

  • Make sure all pages redirect to the HTTPS version

Google favors secure sites, and your customers trust them more.

This is where visibility lives or dies.

  • Use one primary keyword per page

  • Optimize title tags, meta descriptions, and headers

  • Add internal links to keep users on your site longer

Keyphrase Focus: Incorporate relevant terms like “website audit checklist,” “SEO audit,” and “site performance review.”

Confused users don’t convert. That’s why your site must be intuitive.

  • Can users find what they need in 3 clicks or less?

  • Are your CTAs (calls-to-action) clear and visible?

  • Does the layout feel intuitive on desktop AND mobile?

Simplify the user journey to reduce bounce rates and increase conversions.

Great content = trust + traffic.

  • Are your service descriptions clear and benefit-driven?

  • Do your blog posts answer real customer questions?

  • Are you using formatting like bullets, headers, and visuals to improve readability?

Bonus Tip: Make sure each page has at least 300+ words of unique, valuable content.

If you’re not tracking, you’re guessing.

  • Is Google Analytics set up and running?

  • Do you have conversion goals tracked (form fills, calls, purchases)?

  • Are you using UTM links to track marketing campaigns?

Numbers don’t lie. Let them guide your decisions.

Clean URLs help both Google and humans understand your site.

  • Use short, keyword-rich slugs (e.g., /roof-repair-brooklyn)

  • Avoid dynamic strings with unnecessary parameters

  • Stick to lowercase and use hyphens—not underscores

Example: yourbusiness.com/website-audit-checklist is better than yourbusiness.com/page?id=37

Make sure your website works for everyone.

  • Use alt text for all images

  • Ensure color contrast meets WCAG standards

  • Add keyboard navigation support and accessible forms

Google is increasingly rewarding sites that are inclusive and user-friendly.

Comparison image of a frustrated user with a poorly designed website versus a happy user with a clean, modern website, showcasing the benefits of effective web design.

Websites aren’t “set and forget.” Algorithms change. Content gets outdated. Tech breaks.

Therefore, make this audit part of your quarterly review process. Fix issues early, and keep improving over time.

If this checklist feels overwhelming, you’re not alone. Most small business owners don’t have the time to run deep audits, chase down site issues, or optimize content manually.

That’s where we come in.

At RSL Media Hub, we:

  • Run full website audits for performance, SEO, and UX

  • Fix critical technical and design issues

  • Build websites that are fast, beautiful, and built to convert

📩 Get in touch at hello@rslmediahub.com or visit rslmediahub.com to schedule a free audit.

Your website is either working for you or working against you. Let’s make it your #1 growth tool.

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