In order to improve your website’s SEO, it is important to conduct an SEO audit to identify and fix any issues. This article introduces a free SEO audit template that focuses on finding the most impactful issues rather than every possible problem. The template is designed to be easy to follow, making it suitable for outsourcing to an employee, freelancer, or virtual assistant. The template includes clear instructions and allows users to check off items as they are completed.

The template consists of 13 steps divided into three categories: technical issues, content issues, and link issues. Technical issues include problems with indexing and crawling, while content issues involve outdated content and content gaps. Link issues refer to dead pages with backlinks. The template’s focus on the most important issues, rather than overwhelming users with a lengthy checklist, helps users focus on the most impactful improvements.

The article provides three simple steps to conduct an SEO audit using the template. First, users should set up a free Ahrefs Webmaster Tools (AWT) account and crawl their website using the Site Audit tool. It is important to ensure that the “Backlinks” option is enabled during the crawl, as this is necessary for one of the checks in the template. Second, users should download the template and follow the instructions, checking off items as they are completed. Finally, if users encounter difficulties or need further guidance, the template provides links to additional resources for further reading.

It is also recommended to monitor organic traffic in Google Search Console or Ahrefs’ Site Explorer to track the impact of the improvements made based on the audit. Regularly scheduling crawls using Ahrefs’ Site Audit tool can help identify and resolve any new SEO issues that arise.

Overall, the SEO audit template provided in this article offers a practical and focused approach to identifying and addressing key SEO issues. By targeting the most impactful areas, users can maximize the effectiveness of their SEO efforts and improve their website’s rankings.