Running a news website is like running a busy newsroom. There’s constant activity, and every second counts. So when it’s time for a site audit, you want to make sure everything is running like clockwork. But don’t worry—site audits don’t have to be scary. In fact, they can be fun if you know what to look for!
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1. Speed, Baby, Speed!
People love fast websites. If your news site takes too long to load, readers will bounce quicker than a breaking news alert.
- Test your site’s speed with tools like Google PageSpeed Insights.
- Compress images and lazy-load content to make pages load faster.
- Use caching wisely to reduce load time for returning visitors.
Remember, every second your site takes to load could cost you visitors—and ad revenue!
2. Is Your Site Mobile-Friendly?
Let’s face it: most people check the news on their phones. If your site looks weird on a small screen, readers will bail.
- Use a responsive design that works on all devices.
- Check font sizes, buttons, and menus to make sure they aren’t too small or hard to tap.
- Test on both Apple and Android phones for full coverage.
Google also gives bonus points to mobile-friendly sites, so that’s a plus!
3. Content is Still King
The heart of your news site? Content! Your audit should look at the quality, freshness, and structure of your stories.
- Are the headlines clear and clickable?
- Do articles have enough text, images, and even embedded videos?
- Check for duplicate content or outdated stories that need updating.
Also, make sure each article is properly categorized and tagged.
4. SEO: Help People Find You
Even the best stories won’t matter if no one can find them. That’s where SEO (Search Engine Optimization) comes in.
- Do your articles have unique and keyword-rich titles?
- Are meta descriptions clear and compelling?
- Use header tags (H1, H2, etc.) to organize your content.
- Make sure URLs are clean and descriptive.
SEO helps your site show up on Google, which means more clicks and more readers.
5. Broken Links? Bad News!
No one likes clicking a link and getting an error message. Fix broken links before your readers find them.
- Use tools like Broken Link Checker to spot problem areas.
- Update or redirect old links so readers get to the right place.
This helps your site’s usability and improves your SEO too.
6. Ads and Monetization
It’s a news business, after all. Make sure your ads aren’t ruining the user experience.
- Ads should be well-placed, not everywhere.
- Avoid pop-ups or autoplay videos that annoy users.
- Balance income and reader experience carefully.
And double-check that all your monetization tools are working properly.
7. Site Structure: Find It Fast
Readers should find breaking news or archived stories in a snap.
- Menus should be simple and organized.
- Use internal links to connect related stories.
- Have a strong search function on every page.
If people can’t find what they’re looking for, they’ll find it somewhere else.
8. Analytics and User Behavior
Data tells the real story. Use Google Analytics or similar tools to see what’s working.
- What pages get the most views?
- Where are readers leaving your site?
- Are readers spending time reading full articles?
This info helps you make smart changes and serve your readers better.
9. Security Matters
Your news site should be a safe place. Don’t let hackers ruin the story!
- Use an SSL certificate (your site should start with “https”).
- Update all plugins and platforms regularly.
- Back up your site in case of emergencies.
Without good security, everything else can fall apart overnight.
10. Accessibility and Inclusivity
Everyone should be able to read your news. That includes people with disabilities.
- Add alt text to images.
- Use high-contrast colors and readable fonts.
- Make sure your site can be navigated by keyboard only.
Being inclusive makes your site better for all users.
Final thought: A site audit isn’t just a one-time thing. It’s something you should do regularly. Like cleaning your room or going to the dentist—but way more fun (promise)!
So grab a cup of coffee, power up your favorite SEO tool, and give your news site the love it deserves.
