If your website isn’t showing up on Google—or it’s not attracting the traffic or leads you were expecting—an SEO audit could be exactly what you need.
Think of an SEO audit as a health checkup for your website. It reveals what’s working, what’s broken, and where there’s room for improvement. Whether you’ve recently launched a new site or you’re wondering why your traffic has stalled, an audit provides a clear roadmap to better search performance.
In this post, we’ll break down what an SEO audit includes, why it matters, and how it can unlock real growth for your business.
What Is an SEO Audit?
An SEO audit is a comprehensive evaluation of your website’s ability to rank in search engines like Google. It looks at everything from technical setup and content to backlinks and user experience.
Done right, an audit doesn’t just list issues—it prioritizes opportunities to help you get found by the right people at the right time.
Key SEO Audit Goals:
- Identify ranking barriers
- Uncover technical issues
- Evaluate on-page and off-page SEO
- Provide actionable recommendations
- Support long-term visibility and growth
What Does an SEO Audit Include?
A proper audit should examine all the critical areas that influence your website’s visibility in search engines. At 101 Keys, our SEO audits are thorough, strategic, and tailored to your business.
1. Technical SEO Review
This is the foundation of your site’s performance. We check:
- Site speed and load time (especially on mobile)
- Mobile-friendliness and responsive design
- Crawlability and indexability (Can Google access and understand your content?)
- Broken links and 404 errors
- XML sitemaps and robots.txt files
- HTTPS security and site architecture
2. On-Page SEO Audit
We evaluate the relevance, structure, and optimization of your content, including:
- Title tags and meta descriptions
- Heading structure (H1, H2, etc.)
- Keyword placement and density
- Internal linking strategy
- Image optimization (file size, alt text)
3. Off-Page SEO & Backlink Profile
Your reputation across the web matters. We review:
- Quality and authority of backlinks
- Number of referring domains
- Anchor text variety and relevance
- Toxic or spammy links that may be hurting rankings
4. Local SEO Performance
For local businesses (like those in Hamilton, Burlington, or Stoney Creek), we assess:
- Your Google Business Profile setup
- NAP consistency (Name, Address, Phone Number) across directories
- Local keyword usage and location landing pages
- Online reviews and local backlink opportunities
5. User Experience & Engagement Metrics
Great SEO means great UX. We analyze:
- Bounce rate and time on site
- Navigation and page structure
- Mobile usability
- Accessibility compliance
Why Your Website Needs an SEO Audit
Still wondering if an audit is worth it? Here’s why it’s one of the smartest digital marketing investments you can make:
Uncovers Hidden Problems
Broken links, duplicate content, slow load times—these silent killers can sink your rankings without you even knowing.
Provides a Clear Roadmap
An audit shows you exactly what needs fixing and how to prioritize changes for maximum impact.
Saves Time and Budget
Fixing the right things first prevents wasted spending on ads or redesigns that don’t address the real issue.
Supports Long-Term Growth
A healthy, optimized site ranks higher, attracts more visitors, and drives more qualified leads over time.
What Happens After the Audit?
At 101 Keys, we don’t just hand over a report and disappear. After completing your SEO audit, we’ll:
- Walk you through the findings in plain language
- Prioritize quick wins vs. longer-term improvements
- Offer recommendations you can implement—or we can do it for you
- Set up performance tracking to measure ongoing success
We tailor each audit to your goals, industry, and local market—whether you’re a local contractor in Hamilton or an eCommerce brand serving all of Ontario.
Why Work with 101 Keys for Your SEO Audit?
We’re not a cookie-cutter SEO company. We’re a Hamilton-based digital partner that combines expert insight with local market knowledge to deliver results.
- Manual and custom audits (not just automated scans)
- Local SEO expertise for Southern Ontario businesses
- Clear, actionable reports—not technical jargon
- In-house implementation and support if needed
- Full transparency and collaboration throughout
Let’s Take the Guesswork Out of SEO
SEO shouldn’t be a mystery. With the right audit, you can finally understand what’s holding your site back—and what to do about it.
Serving Hamilton, Burlington, Stoney Creek & Beyond
Ready to get started?
Request a Free SEO Audit or call us at (416) 889-1462 to speak with a member of our team today.
