How to Perform a Site Audit
If your website is not converting, it is not always a traffic problem. It may be a UX problem instead. One of the most effective ways to uncover what is going wrong and how to fix it is through a site audit.
Here is how we at Dura Digital approach a site audit:
- Setting goals
We begin by defining our client’s goals and the purpose their website serves. This provides context for what the client would like to achieve and helps establish measurable outcomes that can be used to determine whether the project is on the right track.
- Building a user persona
Understanding who the website is for provides important context for how someone may interact with the client’s website and how the experience could be improved.
A user persona should include a description of who the user is, such as their age, occupation, and level of digital literacy, along with their needs, goals, and mindset in the context of using the website.
- Mapping the user journey
Next, we go through the key journeys with the user persona in mind. We start by considering when and why they would interact with the website, then look at the actions they take while using the site and their overall response to the experience.
We identify pain points, feelings throughout the journey, and potential opportunities for improvement. Building a user journey provides a roadmap for the UX and UI decisions made throughout the website.
- Evaluating usability, UI consistency, and accessibility
At this stage, we test the site by exploring its different areas, clicking buttons, and reviewing where they lead. Do they take users where intended, or does the behaviour create confusion?
We keep the user journey in mind and consider what users expect when navigating the site. Beyond calls to action and navigation, we also review the hierarchy of information and page layouts. Are they intuitive?
Accessibility is also an important part of the audit. We review elements such as colour contrast and whether the site responds effectively across tablets and mobile devices. Any issues are documented, along with positive highlights.
- Summarizing and prioritizing recommendations
Finally, we group and organize the findings based on impact and effort. These groups may include:
Good: Elements that are working well and are worth keeping.
Needs Improvement: Elements that could be improved but are not a major barrier for users.
Needs to Be Fixed: Issues that limit the user experience and should be addressed.
Ideas: Proposed improvements and opportunities related to areas that need attention.
Presenting these findings directly on screenshots of the website can also help clients better understand the site audit and see where each recommendation applies.
This is Dura Digital’s approach to conducting a site audit. If you are interested in having one completed for your website, do not hesitate to reach out. We would be happy to help address any issues you may be experiencing and support the ongoing improvement of your website.