Local business website web pages

Audit your website with Google & Bing search engines

December 14, 2024

Curious to know how your website is being listed in major search engines like Google, Bing, or Yahoo?

A quick DIY audit can reveal how your site is performing and help you identify areas for improvement.

The best part? You can do this using tools you already know—search engines!

Why Audit Your Website?

Your website is your digital storefront. If it’s not being displayed properly in search engine results, you could be losing potential customers. A quick audit can help you:

  • Understand how many pages are indexed.
  • Find web pages that shouldn’t be online.
  • Optimize your metadata for better visibility.

Key Questions to Ask Before You Start

  1. How many web pages does your business website have indexed in the Google database?
  2. Are there any pages that shouldn’t be listed online, like old drafts or test pages?
  3. Are your meta description tags properly written and optimized?

If you’re unsure about these questions, don’t worry—we’ll show you how to find the answers with a few simple steps.

Step 1: Find Out What’s Indexed

  • Search Query: Use site:yourdomain.com in Google.
  • What to Look For:
    • Check the total number of pages listed.
    • Identify irrelevant or outdated pages that don’t belong, like “/test-page” or “/old-pricing.”

Example: Search for site:yourdomain.com and find that Google lists 50 pages. If your website only has 10 core pages, you might have unnecessary or outdated pages indexed that need attention.

Step 2: Check for Meta Descriptions

Meta descriptions are the short snippets displayed in search results under your page title. They’re critical for driving clicks.

  • Search Query: Use site:yourdomain.com and review the search results.
  • What to Look For:
    • Each page should have a unique, engaging meta description.
    • Avoid generic or missing descriptions like “Lorem Ipsum” or blank fields.

Example: A page titled “Contact Us” should have a description like: “Get in touch with us for top-notch plumbing services in Vancouver. Call today!”

Step 3: Identify Pages That Shouldn’t Be Online

Not every page should be public. Sometimes test pages, old content, or duplicate pages can sneak into search results.

  • Search Query: Use site:yourdomain.com and scan the results for unwanted pages.
  • How to Fix:
    • Use a noindex tag on pages you don’t want listed.
    • Delete outdated or irrelevant pages entirely.

Pro Tip: Check for sensitive information (e.g., internal files or drafts) and secure it by removing the page or restricting access.

Step 4: Audit Your Local SEO Presence

If your business depends on local customers, search engines can reveal how visible you are.

  • Search Query: Try your business name + location or your service + near me (e.g., plumber near me).
  • What to Look For:
    • Check if your business appears in local listings like Google Maps.
    • Ensure your name, address, and phone number are consistent across all platforms.

Step 5: Check for Mobile-Friendliness

Most website traffic comes from mobile devices. Ensure your site looks great on smaller screens.

  • Search Query: Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test.
  • What to Look For:
    • Does your site adjust properly to different screen sizes?
    • Are buttons and text easy to use and read?

Step 6: Evaluate Site Speed and Performance

Nobody likes a slow website. Google’s PageSpeed Insights can show how your site performs.

  • Tool: Visit PageSpeed Insights.
  • What to Look For:
    • Aim for a score above 90.
    • Implement suggested fixes, like compressing images or reducing JavaScript.

Step 7: Test for Broken Links

Broken links frustrate users and hurt SEO.

  • Search Tool: Use Broken Link Checker.
  • What to Look For:
    • Fix or remove links leading to 404 errors.

Bonus: Use Search Operators for Advanced Audits

Search engines allow you to perform specific searches using operators. Here are a few you can try:

  • site:yourdomain.com – Lists all indexed pages on your site.
  • intitle:keyword – Finds pages with a specific keyword in the title.
  • inurl:keyword – Displays pages with a specific keyword in the URL.
  • -keyword – Excludes results with the specified keyword.

Example: Search for site:yourdomain.com intitle:services to find pages specifically about your services.

Auditing your website doesn’t require expensive tools or technical expertise.

With just a few search engine tricks, you can uncover valuable insights and start making improvements. Remember, your website is often the first impression your customers get—make it count!

Need help optimizing your website? Contact us today for a professional audit and recommendations!

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