Your website is the first impression many people will have of your business. But unlike a physical storefront, you can’t just glance at it and know if it’s in good shape. A website can look fine on the surface while hiding problems that slow it down, hurt your search rankings, or block customers from converting.
That’s where a website audit comes in. An audit is a comprehensive health check for your site. Covering speed, SEO, content, user experience, security, and conversions. For small businesses, regular audits are essential to make sure your website continues working for you, not against you.
At Barefoot Build, we don’t just build custom websites for small businesses, we help keep them running at their best through our ongoing maintenance plans. This guide will walk you through what to check in a website audit and show why ongoing care is the smartest investment you can make.
Why Website Audits Matter
Small business owners often create a site and then leave it untouched. But the internet is always changing, and so are your business needs.
Search engines evolve. Google updates its algorithms frequently.
Software requires updates. Plugins and platforms need patching for security and performance.
Customer behavior changes. People expect fast-loading, mobile-friendly, easy-to-navigate websites.
Without regular audits, you could be losing customers without even realizing it. A broken form, slow site speed, or outdated content can cost you real revenue.
Step 1: Check Site Performance & Speed
What to Look For
Does your site load in under 3 seconds?
Do images load without dragging down the page?
Is the site responsive across desktop, tablet, and mobile?
Tools You Can Use
GTMetrix
Pingdom
Why It Matters
Research shows that nearly 40% of users abandon a site if it takes more than 3 seconds to load. Fast performance not only improves customer experience but also boosts SEO rankings.
How Barefoot Build Helps
We optimize speed during the build, but we also maintain it long-term in our monthly maintenance plans. As you add new content, images, or features, we ensure your site continues to run quickly.
Step 2: Review SEO & Visibility
What to Look For
Are title tags and meta descriptions filled out?
Do all images include descriptive alt text?
Can your site be found for your local services (“closet installer Cary NC”)?
Why It Matters
Even the best-looking website won’t help your business if no one can find it. SEO ensures your site appears when people search for your services.
How Barefoot Build Helps
Every website we build comes with foundational SEO: optimized structure, metadata setup, mobile responsiveness, and basic keyword integration.
Learn more in our FAQ on SEO.
Step 3: Evaluate Your Content
What to Look For
Is your homepage clear about what you do?
Are your service pages updated with current offerings?
Does your blog add value to your customers?
Why It Matters
Content tells your story and drives conversions. Outdated text, incorrect pricing, or irrelevant blog posts can harm credibility.
How Barefoot Build Helps
Through our maintenance plans, we handle content updates for you. Need to add new products? Update seasonal services? Post blogs? We make sure your website always reflects your business in real time.
Step 4: Test User Experience (UX)
What to Look For
Is the navigation intuitive?
Are buttons and calls-to-action clear and working?
Is your contact form functional?
Why It Matters
If a customer can’t easily find information or reach out, they’ll leave. User experience isn’t just about looks, it’s about guiding customers to take action.
How Barefoot Build Helps
As part of our Standard Care Plan, we regularly test forms, navigation, and CTAs. We make sure your customers can always reach you without frustration.
Step 5: Check Security & Technical Health
What to Look For
Does your site show as “Secure” (HTTPS)?
Are plugins and themes updated?
Do you have backups if something goes wrong?
Why It Matters
Security issues can damage your reputation and cost you money. A hacked site could expose sensitive data, cause downtime, or even get you blacklisted by search engines.
How Barefoot Build Helps
We manage updates, patches, and backups for you. If anything happens, we can restore your site quickly. Security and reliability are built into every maintenance plan, giving you peace of mind.
Step 6: Look at Conversion & Analytics
What to Look For
Are there visible calls-to-action on every page?
Are you tracking leads and site visitors?
Do you know which pages bring in business?
Why It Matters
Your website should work as a sales tool. Without tracking and clear CTAs, you can’t measure success or identify missed opportunities.
How Barefoot Build Helps
We set up analytics and monitor your site’s performance over time. Our ongoing care ensures you always know how your site is working for you.
Why Maintenance Plans Are Worth It
A one-time audit is helpful, but the reality is that websites require continuous attention. Problems creep in over time. Updates break layouts, images slow performance, and SEO slips without upkeep.
Barefoot Build’s maintenance plans prevent those issues from piling up. We take care of the technical details so you can focus on your business.
With us, you get:
Peace of mind: Security updates, backups, and monitoring.
Time savings: We handle the tech, you run your business.
Consistent performance: Speed, SEO, and functionality stay strong.
Flexibility: Add or change content whenever you need.
Instead of stressing about whether your website is working, you’ll know it’s in good hands.
Conclusion
Auditing your website helps you find weaknesses before they hurt your business. But instead of scrambling to fix issues every few months, investing in an ongoing maintenance plan keeps your site healthy, secure, and optimized year-round.
Your website isn’t just a project—it’s a living part of your business. Let’s make sure it keeps working for you.
Book your free consultation today to learn how Barefoot Build can help your small business succeed online.
