Sites with a drop in search traffic
Owners whose pages lost visibility after a redesign, migration or algorithm update get a review that looks for lost redirects, blocked pages and weakened content, plus a ranked list of fixes.
SEO audit service
An SEO audit service for business owners who want a ranked list of website fixes that affect search visibility.
- Technical, content and backlink review in one written report
- Fixes ranked by impact and effort, with a suggested next step
- Monthly reporting cadence for ongoing work
Quick answer
An SEO audit service is a structured review of a website's technical setup, page content and backlinks, delivered as a written report. Pugmarks Media's audit ranks fixes by impact and effort. Timing depends on site size, and an audit typically takes one to three weeks, based on our estimates.
01Overview
What is SEO audit?
An SEO audit is a structured check of how well a website can be found, read and trusted by search engines. It looks at three areas: the technical setup, the content on each page, and the links pointing to the site. The result is a written list of problems and opportunities, not a set of changes made for you.
Think of it as a building inspection before renovation. The inspector does not fix the roof. The inspector tells you which problems are urgent, which can wait, and which are cosmetic.
Here is a concrete example. A company with a 40-page site notices that its service pages no longer appear in search. An audit crawls the site and finds that a leftover "noindex" tag, a setting that tells search engines to skip a page, was copied onto the service page template during a redesign. The fix takes a developer minutes, but nobody would have found it without checking.
A professional SEO audit service goes further than running an automated tool. Software produces a raw list of warnings, and a specialist reviews them by hand to separate real blockers from harmless notes. The specialist then ranks what remains by likely impact and the effort needed to fix it.
Most audits are a starting point. They give you, your developer or your marketing team a shared, prioritized plan. Our SEO services page explains how audit findings can feed into ongoing work.
02Fit
Who SEO audit is for
Small businesses with a first website
Owners of local or small sites with a few dozen pages get a plain-language report showing which pages search engines can read and which need new titles, copy or internal links.
Online stores with many URLs
Ecommerce teams with filtered category pages and duplicate product URLs get a crawl review of canonicals, indexation and site structure, so developers know what to fix first.
Marketing teams planning a content budget
Teams deciding what to write next get a page-level content review and keyword gap analysis, showing which pages to rewrite, merge or expand before new spending.
Companies changing SEO providers
Businesses taking over from another agency or an in-house hire get an independent written baseline of technical health, content and backlinks, including any risky links.
Buyers and investors reviewing a site
Owners preparing to buy, sell or fund a web business get a written view of search risks and opportunities. Our SEO consulting can help with next steps.
03Scope
What's included
- Full-site crawlA crawl maps URLs, status codes, redirects, canonicals and indexability. It shows site owners which pages search engines can reach and which are blocked or duplicated.
- Speed and mobile checksPage speed, mobile usability and structured data are reviewed on key templates. Owners get a clear view of what slows pages down or breaks the mobile experience.
- On-page content reviewTitles, headings, copy and internal links are checked page by page. Teams see which pages need rewriting, consolidating or better linking to support their target topics.
- Backlink profile reviewLinking domains, link quality and risky links are summarized. Owners learn whether the current link profile helps the site or needs cleanup.
- Keyword gap analysisYour ranking terms are compared with search demand in your market. Marketing teams see which topics competitors' categories cover that your site does not.
- Prioritized fix listEvery issue is ranked by impact and effort, with an owner and a next step. Developers and managers can plan the work without guessing where to start.
04Process
How our SEO audit works
6 steps. You always know what's next.
The same path for every engagement.
11 to 3 days (estimate)
Scope the audit with you
We start with a discovery call to confirm your goals, page count, templates and locations. You share your site address and priorities. You receive a written scope and an estimated timeline.
21 to 3 days (estimate)
Get access to your accounts
We request read access to analytics and Search Console, plus any recent migration or redesign notes. You provide the logins or invitations. Delays here are the most common cause of a slower audit.
3Week 1 (estimate)
Crawl the whole site
We crawl every reachable URL and record status codes, redirects, canonicals and indexability. You receive a plain-language summary of which pages search engines can reach, and which are blocked or duplicated.
4Week 1 to 2 (estimate)
Review speed, mobile and content
We check page speed, mobile usability and structured data on key templates, then review titles, headings, copy and internal links page by page. You receive page-level notes on what to fix, merge or rewrite.
5Week 2 (estimate)
Assess backlinks and keyword gaps
We summarize linking domains, link quality and risky links, then compare your ranking terms with search demand in your market. You receive a clear view of authority problems and missing topics.
6Week 2 to 3 (estimate)
Rank fixes and walk you through
We rank every issue by impact and effort, assign an owner and a next step, and present the report on a call. You receive the written report and a suggested action plan.
05Deliverables
What you get
| Deliverable | What it is | Cadence | Starts in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope document | Written summary of goals, page count, templates and locations | One-time | Days 1-3 (estimate) |
| Full-site crawl report | URLs, status codes, redirects, canonicals and indexability | One-time | Week 1 (estimate) |
| Speed and mobile review | Page speed, mobile usability and structured data on key templates | One-time | Week 1-2 (estimate) |
| On-page content review | Titles, headings, copy and internal links checked page by page | One-time | Week 1-2 (estimate) |
| Backlink review | Assessment of links pointing to the site and risky or weak sources | One-time | Week 2 (estimate) |
| Ranked fix list | Problems ordered by impact and effort, with a suggested next step | One-time | End of audit (estimate) |
| Findings walkthrough | Call to explain the report and agree a strategy and work plan | One-time | After report delivery |
| Progress report | Summary of fixes made and search data changes | Monthly | After the first fixes go live |
| Follow-up re-check | Repeat crawl to confirm fixes worked and spot new issues | Quarterly, if agreed | After the fix plan is under way |
06Compare
SEO audit: in-house team, agency or Pugmarks Media
Swipe to compare →
| Criteria | In-house | Typical agency | Pugmarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time to start | Depends on staff availability and competing tasks | Varies by agency intake and queue | Starts with a discovery call, then a site audit |
| Specialisation | Often one generalist covering several channels | Varies by agency size and focus | 25+ SEO specialists |
| Reporting | Internal updates, format set by your team | Varies by agency | Written audit report; monthly reporting for ongoing work |
| Cost model | Salary and tool costs, whether or not an audit is running | Fixed project fee or retainer | Scope-based: pages, locations and market competition |
| Risk | Blind spots from familiarity with your own site | Generic templates if the review is not tailored | Fixes ranked by impact and effort; plan agreed before changes go live |
| Flexibility | High control, limited by headcount | Depends on contract terms | Audit-only or followed by ongoing SEO work |
07Cost
What does SEO audit cost?
SEO audit cost depends on three things: how many pages and templates we review, how many locations the site serves, and how competitive your market is. A 40-page local site takes less review time than a large store with filtered category URLs. For a quote, share your site address and goals through our contact page, or see how we structure fees on the pricing page.
Package prices are published so you can compare before you call.
See all packages11Years in business
08Proof
Results for clients like you
Only results our clients have approved for publication. No made-up logos or numbers.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Still have a question?
Ask us directly. We reply with honest next steps, even if that means we're not the right fit.
Ask our teamHow long does an SEO audit take?
An SEO audit typically takes one to three weeks, based on our estimates. A small local site sits at the short end, while a large store with many filtered URLs takes longer. The most common cause of delay is slow access to analytics and Search Console, so sending logins early helps.
What does an SEO audit cover?
An SEO audit covers three areas: technical setup, on-page content and backlinks. We crawl the site, check page speed and mobile usability, review titles, headings and internal links, and assess the links pointing to your pages. You receive a written report with problems ranked by impact and effort.
How much does an SEO audit cost?
The cost of an SEO audit depends on how many pages and templates we review, how many locations the site serves, and how competitive your market is. A small local site needs less review time than a large store. Share your site address and goals through our contact page, or see the pricing page.
Do I need an SEO audit if my traffic has dropped?
A traffic drop is one of the most common reasons to commission an SEO audit. The review looks for causes such as lost redirects after a migration, blocked pages, duplicate URLs or weakened content. An audit shows what to investigate, but it cannot guarantee that traffic will recover.
Will you fix the problems the audit finds?
The audit itself delivers a written report, not changes to your site. The report lists fixes in priority order so you can act on them yourself, with your developer, or with us. Any fix work is agreed separately, and nothing goes live before you approve the plan.
What access do you need to run an SEO audit?
We typically ask for read access to your analytics and Search Console, plus notes on any recent redesign or migration. Read access means we can view data but not change settings. You provide the logins or send invitations, and we confirm exactly what we need during the scoping call.
How is an SEO audit different from technical SEO?
An SEO audit is a one-time review across technical, content and backlink areas, while technical SEO is ongoing work on site infrastructure such as crawling, speed and indexing. The audit often identifies which technical fixes are needed first, so it commonly comes before that work.
Who should get an SEO audit?
Any site owner who wants a clear picture of what holds back search visibility can benefit from an SEO audit. It suits sites that lost traffic after a redesign, small businesses with a first website, and online stores with many URLs. Results depend on how the fixes are carried out and are not guaranteed.
09Keep reading
Related services and guides
Related pages cover technical SEO, SEO consulting, ecommerce SEO services, white-label SEO reseller options and pricing, so you can compare next steps.
Get in touch
Talk to our team about an SEO audit
Share your site address and goals, and we will confirm the scope of your SEO audit service before any work starts. Your written scope comes with an estimated timeline.
