The 10-minute website audit

If you've ever wondered ‘why isn't my website getting enquiries?’ ‘what is my website missing?’ or ‘do I need a full redesign?’ you probably don't need a whole new website (although if you do want one, you know where to find me!) but just a few tweaks.

Most of the time small business websites are only failing to work because they're unclear, unfocused, or missing a few key elements that help turn visitors into customers.

This 10-minute audit helps you spot those gaps - without needing to be a website designer, developer or SEO expert! Try to answer honestly, score yourself as you go, and find out whether your current site is pulling its weight or slightly coasting.

What this website audit covers

Don’t worry - it’s not too technical! Here’s what it looks at:

1. The 5-Second Test

   Can someone immediately tell what you do, who it’s for and what to do next? If not - clarity is your first fix.

2. Calls to Action

   Is it obvious what you want visitors to do? And can they actually do it easily? Hidden buttons = hidden conversions.

3. Leading with their problem

   Are you talking about yourself first or the problem you solve for them? Your visitor is thinking ‘is this for me?’ - answer that before anything else.

4. Your About Page

   Does it build connection and trust? There’s no single right formula but it should make people want to work with you.

5. Your Products/Services

   Is it clear what you offer, who it’s for, what happens next, how to buy or enquire? If someone has to try and ‘figure it out’, they probably won’t.

6. Trust Signals

   Testimonials. Results. Proof. These are your jewels - are they visible or are they buried? Trust turns interest into action.

7. Basic SEO

   Don’t be scared of SEO, but have you covered the fundamentals? Clear page titles, structured headings, relevant keywords, image alt text and mobile-friendly layout? You don’t need advanced SEO - but you do need solid basics.

8. User Experience

   How does it work on mobile? Can people actually find things? Does it load quickly? If it’s frustrating or difficult to navigate, people will simply leave.

How it works

I couldn’t help but gamify it so just answer the questions as honestly as you can and get your score. I’ve also created a bonus cheat sheet with quick fixes for each section - so if something’s missing, you can improve it straight away!

Ready?

The 10-Minute Website Audit

8 sections. Honest scoring. Find out if your website's working for you — or quietly letting you down.

How to score yourself

A = Yes, nailed it (2 points)  |  B = Kind of / not sure (1 point)  |  C = No / what even is that? (0 points)

Be honest. No one will know apart from me and you.

Section 1 of 8

1) The 5-Second Test

When someone lands on your homepage, can they immediately tell what you do, who it's for, and what to do next?

A Yes, it's obvious within seconds B I think so, but it could be clearer C Probably not — it's a bit vague, or design-led but not immediately clear

2) Calls to Action

Is it clear what you want visitors to do on each page — and can they actually do it easily?

A call to action (CTA) is the thing you want someone to do next: book a call, enquire, buy, download, sign up. Usually a button or a link that moves them forward.

A Yep, clear CTAs on every page, easy to find, consistent B There are CTAs throughout, but maybe not enough or too far down C I don't really have one / it's hidden / every page says something different

3) Leading With Their Problem

Does your website lead with the problem you solve, or does it lead with your story?

A I lead with their problem and how I solve it — my story comes later B It's a mix — some pages are better than others C It's mostly about me — my journey, my qualifications

4) About Page

Does your About page build connection and trust?

There's no single right way to do this — but it should give people a reason to like you, trust you, or want to work with you.

A Yes — it's got personality, proof, and a reason to keep reading B It's okay, but it's probably not all relevant to the business C It's basically a CV / I haven't touched it in years / it's not really about me

5) Services

Is it clear what you offer, who it's for, what the outcome is, and how to buy or enquire?

A Yes — clear services with outcomes, pricing (or context), and a way to take the next step B It's there, but it could be clearer or more compelling C I think it is — but now I'm having doubts, it could definitely be clearer

6) Trust Signals

Are you showing proof that you're good at what you do?

Testimonials, reviews, results, client logos, case studies, credentials — anything that builds credibility.

A Yes — visible proof in multiple places B Some, but I could add more or make it more visible C Not really / I keep meaning to add testimonials / it's all a bit thin

7) Basic SEO

Have you covered the fundamentals?

• Clear, descriptive page titles
• Headings structured properly (H1, H2, H3)
• Keywords used naturally in your copy
• Images have alt text
• Google Business Profile linked (if relevant)

H1 is your main heading (one per page), H2s are your section headings, H3s are sub-sections. Think of it like a document outline that helps search engines understand your content.

A Yes, I've done the basics B Some of it, but I'm not sure what's missing C What's alt text? / I haven't touched any of this

8) User Experience

Can people actually find what they need? Does it work on mobile? Is it easy to navigate?

A Easy to navigate, works on all devices, no dead ends B Mostly fine, but there are a few clunky bits C It's a bit of a mess / I've never checked mobile / there might be broken links

Back Next

Need more than a few tweaks?

If the audit shows you your website needs more than a couple of small adjustments - or you’d simply rather not untangle it yourself - we can fix that! I can help you with a focused session to fix the essential bits you need, or if you’re looking to go further with a redesign - we can do that to.

• What should a small business website include?

  Clear messaging, defined services, visible calls to action, trust signals and basic SEO structure. Without those, even a beautiful website won’t convert when you need it to.

• How do I know if my website is working?

  If visitors can’t explain what you do after 10 seconds, or your not receiving consistent enquiries, your messaging or your structure likely needs refining. Want second eyes on it? Submit your website here for a free quick check.

• Do I need a website redesign?

  I shouldn’t say this, but not always! Strategic content updates and clearer positioning can significantly improve performance without rebuilding everything from scratch.

  Having said that, if you’re website is a few years old, it may be worth looking at an upgrade - many platforms have amazing new features that make future website management much easier.

• How often should I update my website?

  Depending what you offer (product sites are usually updated more often due to stock rotation) but at the bare minimum at least once a quarter.

  Review your homepage, services, and offers to make sure they still reflect what you actually sell. For ongoing SEO and if your offering doesn’t change much - incorporating regular blog updates can be a great way to keep your website fresh.