How to Run a Technical Website Audit Without Getting Lost in the Details

Ever feel overwhelmed by all the tech jargon around SEO? You’re not alone. Many business owners, marketers, and creators know their website isn’t performing quite right, maybe it’s loading slowly, not showing up on Google, or just not getting the right kind of visitors. But who wants to dig through spreadsheets or decode Google’s algorithm just to figure it out?

The good news? You can run a technical SEO audit without needing to speak “developer.”

Let’s break it down in plain English with a simple website audit checklist, real-life website audit examples, and easy-to-follow website optimization strategies that help your site run better without getting too technical.

What Is a Technical SEO Audit (and Why Should You Care)?

Think of your website like a car. Even if it looks polished from the outside, it still needs regular maintenance to run smoothly. A technical SEO audit is like taking your site to a trusted mechanic. It checks whether all the parts like speed, structure, and links are working the way they should, so Google can find it and visitors can navigate it without issues.

When something’s off like broken links, slow-loading pages, or missing info your site can slip in search rankings, frustrate users, or be overlooked entirely. And here’s the kicker: even if you keep publishing great content, these hidden technical issues can hold you back. It’s like adding premium fuel to a car with engine trouble, you’re putting in effort, but not getting the results you should. A technical SEO audit helps uncover and fix those issues so your content can actually work for you, not against you.

A Simple Website Audit Checklist (No Platforms or Agencies Required)

We recently broke down why SEO platforms and agencies can overcomplicate things, especially for small teams. Now, let’s look at what you can do yourself:

• Speed Check
  Is your website loading fast on desktop and mobile?
  Use tools like PageSpeed Insights or try ilumi’s audit to get a clear answer.
• Mobile Friendliness
  Open your site on your phone. Does it look clean and easy to use?
  If not, Google might penalize you. Plus, most users browse using their phone anyway, so if your website isn’t responsive it will serve a poor experience.
• Broken Links & Errors
  Click around your site. Any 404 errors? Pages not working?
  Broken links frustrate visitors and search engines alike.
• Clear Page Titles & Headings
  Every page should have one clear headline (an H1) and a page title that matches what it’s about.
• Indexing Check
  Is Google actually seeing your content?
  Search site:yourwebsite.com on Google to see what pages are showing up.
• Image Sizes & Alt Text
  Are your images compressed (small in size but still look great)?
  Do they have short descriptions (called “alt text”) so search engines understand them?
• Structured Layout & Navigation
  Is your menu easy to follow? Can users find what they need in 1–2 clicks?

Website Audit Example (Real-World Scenario)

Let’s say you run a small online store selling eco-friendly candles.

After running a quick audit, here’s what you discover:

• Your homepage loads in 6 seconds. That’s too slow.
• You have a few broken links to out-of-stock products.
• Your product images are large and missing alt text.
• The mobile version looks squished.

Fixing just those issues with a simple audit can improve user experience and help you rank better. No tech wizardry required.

Website Optimization Steps (Made Simple)

Once you’ve spotted what’s wrong, here’s how to fix it without needing a developer:

• Compress Images Automatically
  Use free tools like TinyPNG, Canva’s compression tool, or upload smaller versions.
• Update Outdated Content & Fix Broken Links
  Keep your content fresh and your links working. This builds trust with visitors and search engines.
• Stick to Simple Navigation
  Less is more. A clean menu helps users stay longer and buy more.
• Improve Mobile Layout with a Responsive Theme
  Use website builders or themes that automatically adjust to phones and tablets.

You Don’t Have to ‘Know It All’ to Optimize Your Website

Running a technical SEO audit doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

You built your website for people but search engines are usually the first to see it. They scan your site, assess how it’s built, and decide where (or if) you show up in search results. So while your content should speak to people, the structure needs to make sense to search engines too.

Short on time and just want clear answers?

Try ilumi’s Website Audit. We show you what’s wrong, why it matters, and how to fix it fast.