Website Audit Services | Rank Higher and Win Better Clients

Website Strategy
7 MIN
Website Audit Services | Rank Higher and Win Better Clients

Considering website audit services but not sure if they’re worth it? Learn what’s included, how much they cost, and which one your small business needs.


You launched your website hoping it would help people find your small business—but lately… it’s been quiet. 🦗

You’re not getting many inquiries, and Google rankings don’t seem to be improving.

That’s where a website audit service comes in.

But what exactly is a website audit, and is it actually worth it?

Let’s pull back the curtain on website audit services—what they include, how much they cost, and how to know which kind your small business actually needs.

What are Website Audit Services?

Website audit services are a professional review of your website’s performance. These services look at things like SEO, design, and user experience.

And don’t worry—a website audit is nothing like an IRS audit, THANK GOODNESS (because trying to figure out receipts and write-offs is enough for me, thanks. 😅). Where an IRS audit is designed to find errors, a website audit is designed to find opportunities.

A website audit is the first step toward improving your site’s performance—showing you exactly what’s helping, what’s hurting, and how to fix it. 🔧

Screenshot of Google Analytics dashboard showing website traffic metrics and performance charts during a website audit service.

What’s Included in a Website Audit Service?

Every website audit service is a little different. You might see a mixture of these audits combined, or a single, focused audit that goes deeper into one area. If you have specific goals in mind—like showing up on Google, updating your design, or landing more clients—it’s important to know what the website audit service includes before you book.

Design & User Experience (UX)

A design and user experience (UX) audit looks at how easy your website is to use, whether people can find what they’re looking for, and how it makes them feel. The goal is to make sure your site looks professional, feels trustworthy, and helps visitors get where they want to go—fast.

Design & user experience audits review:

  • Layout & Navigation: Are pages organized clearly, and can people find what they need?
  • Calls-to-action: Are buttons and links easy to spot and understand?
  • Design consistency: Are colors, fonts, and spacing used consistently?
  • Mobile experience: Does your site work smoothly on phones and tablets?

This is best for you if: Visitors leave quickly, don’t click past your homepage, or seem unsure what to do next.

If you want to dig deeper into this topic, check out my post on user-friendly website design.

Content & Messaging

A content and messaging audit looks at what your website says and how clearly it says it. This isn’t about rewriting your website—it’s about helping what you already have connect with the right people and inspire them to take action.

Content & messaging audits review:

  • Clarity: Is it obvious what you offer and who it’s for?
  • Headlines: Do they grab attention and make people want to keep reading?
  • Scannable: Can visitors quickly get the main idea with short sections, clear headings, and bold key points?
  • Calls-to-action: Do your words make it clear what visitors should do next—like call, book, or buy?

This is best for you if: Your website feels wordy, confusing, or unfocused.

Technical

A technical audit looks behind the scenes at the parts of your site that affect how fast it loads, how well it works, and how easily people (and Google) can use it. It’s a smart starting point because it helps build trust with visitors, keep them around longer, and improve how you rank on search engines.

Technical audits review:

  • Loading speed: Does your site load quickly on both desktop and mobile?
  • Broken links: Are there pages or buttons that lead to dead ends?
  • Structure: Is your site organized in a logical way that’s easy to follow?
  • Security: Is it protected with HTTPS and reliable hosting?

This is best for you if: Your website feels slow, some pages don’t load right, or you’re not showing up on Google—especially if your site is new or hasn’t been audited in a while.

SEO

An SEO audit looks at how easily people can find your website online and whether your site is sending Google the right signals to help you rank higher. When your SEO works well, more of the right people discover your business.

SEO audits review:

  • Keywords: Are you showing up for your ideal customers on Google?
  • Page titles & descriptions: Do they explain each page clearly and make people want to click?
  • Headings & structure: Is your content organized in a way Google understands?
  • Links: Are there broken links or missing opportunities to connect pages within your site?

This is best for you if: You aren’t seeing the visibility, traffic, or inquiries you expected.

💡 Many agencies offer technical and SEO audits as standalone services. But for most small businesses, a simple, comprehensive audit that looks at design, content, and performance gives a clearer picture.

How Much Do Website Audit Services Cost?

If you’ve ever tried to look up pricing for website audit services, you’ve probably noticed numbers alllll over the place. Some promise instant reports for hardly anything, while others charge thousands (even tens of thousands 🤯).

So what’s the difference—and what’s actually worth paying for?

Quick Scan Audits

Automated SEO audits are often free or under $150. These computer-generated reports scan your site for basic issues like missing meta tags, broken links, or slow load times.

Some freelancers or small studios offer similar “quick audits” in the $100–$500 range, but many of these are simply automated reports exported from a paid subscription. They will flag problems but rarely tell you what those results really mean or what to do next.

You can use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights, SEOptimer, Ahrefs Site Audit, Screaming Frog, or Ubersuggest.

They’re great for a basic checkup—but if you want to actually improve how your website performs and converts, you’ll need a strategic review by a real person.

Agency/Enterprise Audits

Large marketing agencies and enterprise-level SEO teams offer comprehensive audits that dig into every technical, content, and analytics detail. These reports are highly detailed—sometimes 30+ pages long—and typically cost $2,500 to $20,000+, depending on the size and complexity of your site.

If you’re a business owner with a smaller team, this much data can EASILY become overwhelming.

And honestly? Unnecessary.

Printed website audit report prepared by Luma Liz, held by two people during a strategy session—representing the clarity and collaboration that comes with an expert website audit service

Strategic Website Audits

Most small business owners don’t need overly technical report (or a $10K agency contract) to understand what’s going on with their website.

However, they do need more than an automated report that spits out errors without explaining what they mean.

In general, professional website audit services that are actually worth a small business’s time range from around $500 to $7,500, depending on how detailed they are and who’s behind them. At this level, your audit isn’t automated—it’s led by an experienced strategist who takes time to understand your goals, identify what’s holding your site back, and create a clear path forward.

A strategic website audit typically includes:

  • SEO and technical performance: How your website appears in search, loads, and functions behind the scenes.
  • User experience: How easy it is for visitors to find what they need and take the next step.
  • Design assessment: Whether your design builds trust and reflects your professionalism.
  • Content and messaging: If your copy clearly explains who you help and why it matters.
  • Strategic action plan: A prioritized roadmap that shows exactly what to fix first for the biggest results.

At Luma Liz, my website audit services start at $750—a detailed review led by a web design strategist, built for small businesses who want clear, actionable insights. Once your report is finished, we’ll walk through it together (on a live call or in a recorded video walkthrough) to review what’s working, what’s not, and how to fix it—without leaving you Googling, “what is a sitemap?” 🤪

If you’re curious what that looks like in action, take a peek at my Website Audit Service!

A Real Website Audit Success Story

Sarai Lange, a wedding photographer, had clearly put time and heart into her website. She had invested a lot of effort into her SEO—but even with strong SEO, engagement was low.

During her website audit service, I discovered that her navigation was working against her.

She was trying to do it all—weddings, portraits, seniors, maternity—and visitors weren’t sure what to focus on.

Here’s what I suggested:

  • Narrow services to highlight what she loves most: weddings and families.
  • Simplify navigation so visitors can explore her site easily and naturally.
  • Shift messaging to speak directly to her ideal clients.

We also flagged SEO gaps, missing calls to action, and a few mobile layout quirks she hadn’t noticed.

After going through her report, Sarai finally understood what was missing—and knew exactly what to do next.

SARAI LANGE
@ SARAI LANGE PHOTOGRAPHY


“Before my website audit, I knew something wasn’t right… I just couldn’t put my finger on it. Emma quickly noticed the things I was struggling with. I’ve started working on the changes she mentioned and my website already looks better!

A website audit is something every business should do—it’s an investment that can actually SAVE you money in the long run!”

How to Choose the Right Website Audit Service

To choose the right website audit service, follow this simple 3-step plan:

1. Choose the type of website audit that matches your goals.

Start with what you want to improve:

  • If you’re focused on SEO or performance, start with a technical or SEO audit.
  • If your site feels confusing or outdated, look at a design and user experience audit.
  • If you’re not sure whether your message connects, explore a content and messaging audit.

💡 If this is your first audit, work with someone who can look at the full picture and give you insights that match your goals.

2. Find the right tier for your budget.

Remember that website audits range anywhere from quick automated scans to 30+ page enterprise-level reports.

💡 If you’re a small business, you’ll get the most value from a strategic audit that turns data into a clear, actionable plan.

3. Schedule your audit and share your goals.

Once you’ve chosen the right fit, book your audit and get ready to uncover what’s really happening behind the scenes.

💡 When booking, share what you’d like to improve. For a Luma Liz website audit, I include a short form before scheduling to make things easy.

Ready to Book Your Website Audit?

Your website has so much potential to be your most powerful marketing tool—and if it’s not doing that for you, something’s off.

At Luma Liz, my website audit service helps you uncover hidden issues and identify what to fix first.

No confusing data reports.
No overwhelm.

Just a thoughtful, guided review that helps your website perform better, connect with your audience, and support your business goals.

If you’re ready to stop second-guessing and start understanding how to make your website work for you, book a website audit with Luma Liz.

💡 When you book a full website project after your audit, your $750 fee is applied as a credit—so you’re investing once, not twice.

Curious what else I offer? 👀

See how Luma Liz builds strategic small business websites that clarify your message and win better clients.

About the Author

Emma Hubanks

Emma Hubanks is the founder + Web Design Strategist at Luma Liz, a web design studio transforming how established service providers show up online. With 11 years of experience in marketing, creative direction, and strategic design, she combines the proven StoryBrand framework with premium web design to help businesses become unforgettable in their markets.

Don’t let an outdated website cost you business.

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