DIY SEO Audit: 12 Steps to Fix Your Website’s Rankings  

Your website isn’t getting the traffic it deserves. No matter what you try, your rankings stay stuck on page 2 (or worse). You’re losing customers to competitors—and you don’t even know why.

Google’s rules keep changing. Broken links slow you down. Slow pages drive visitors away. And if your site isn’t mobile-friendly? Forget ranking high. Every small SEO mistake adds up, burying your site deeper in search results.

The good news? You don’t need an expensive expert to fix it. This DIY SEO Audit breaks down the 12 most important checks into simple steps. No jargon, no fluff—just clear fixes you can do yourself.

By the end, you’ll know exactly where your site stands, how to boost rankings, and keep Google happy. Let’s dig in—your future top-ranking website starts here.

1. Start with a Quick Health Check for Your Website  

Before diving into complex fixes, take a step back and run a quick health check on your website. Think of it like a doctor’s visit—you need to spot early warning signs before they become big problems. Check for basic issues like slow loading times, security errors (like mixed content warnings), or missing meta tags. Tools like Google Search Console or free SEO checkers can help you scan your site in minutes. If your site is slow, insecure, or hard to navigate, Google won’t rank it highly—and visitors will leave fast. A simple audit now can save you from bigger headaches later. Start with the basics, fix what’s broken, and you’ll already be ahead of many competitors.

2. Find (and Fix) Broken Links Hurting Your Rankings  

Nothing frustrates visitors (and Google) more than clicking a link—only to hit a dead-end “404 Error” page. Broken links hurt your rankings because they ruin the user experience and waste Google’s crawl budget. Luckily, finding them is easy. Use free tools like Screaming Frog or Broken Link Checker to scan your site for broken internal and external links. Once you find them, either update the correct URL, redirect the broken link, or remove it entirely. Fixing broken links keeps visitors happy, helps Google index your site better, and gives your rankings a quiet but powerful boost.

3. Make Sure Google Can Actually “See” Your Pages  

What if some of your best pages are invisible to Google? If search engines can’t crawl and index your content, it won’t rank—no matter how good it is. Start by checking Google Search Console’s “Coverage” report for errors like blocked pages or “noindex” tags. Make sure your robots.txt file isn’t accidentally blocking important pages. Also, check that your sitemap is up-to-date and submitted to Google. A few small tweaks here can unlock hidden traffic. If Google can’t see your pages, neither can your customers—so fix this fast!

4. Speed Up Your Site—No Tech Skills Required  

A slow website kills your rankings and frustrates visitors—if your pages take more than 3 seconds to load, over half of users will leave. The good news? You don’t need to be a tech expert to speed things up. Start by compressing images (use free tools like TinyPNG) and enabling browser caching. Plugins like WP Rocket (for WordPress) can optimize your site with one click. Check Google PageSpeed Insights for simple suggestions, like removing unused plugins or switching to a faster hosting provider. Small tweaks add up fast, and a quicker site means happier visitors and better rankings.

5. Write Better Content Than Your Competition  

Google rewards content that answers questions better than anyone else. Before writing, search your topic and see what’s already ranking. Then, make yours clearer, more helpful, and easier to read. Use short paragraphs, bullet points, and simple words—like you’re explaining it to a friend. Add examples, step-by-step guides, or quick tips that others miss. Updating old posts with fresh info also helps. Better content keeps readers on your page longer, which tells Google you deserve a higher spot.

6. Stop Ignoring Your Mobile Visitors  

More than half of all web traffic comes from phones—if your site isn’t mobile-friendly, you’re losing rankings and customers. Test your site with Google’s Mobile-Friendly Tool. Look for tiny text, buttons too close together, or slow-loading images. Use a responsive theme (most modern ones are) and avoid pop-ups that block the screen. A smooth mobile experience keeps visitors happy and helps you rank higher, especially since Google prioritizes mobile-first indexing.

7. Clean Up messy URLs and Poor Navigation  

Long, confusing URLs (like *yoursite.com/blog?id=123&cat=5*) hurt your SEO. Keep them short and descriptive (yoursite.com/seo-tips). Make sure your site’s navigation is simple—visitors (and Google) should find any page in 3 clicks or less. Group related content with clear menus, and add internal links to help Google understand your site’s structure. Clean URLs and smart navigation boost rankings while making your site easier to use.

8. Get More Backlinks Without Begging for Them  

Backlinks (links from other sites to yours) are like votes telling Google you’re trustworthy. But you don’t need to spam forums or beg for links. Instead, create link-worthy content—like original research, free tools, or ultimate guides—that others want to share. Reach out to relevant blogs with a friendly email: “Hey, I thought your readers might like this!” Even a few quality backlinks can lift your rankings faster than 100 spammy ones.

9. Track Your Progress and Keep Improving  

SEO isn’t a one-time fix—it’s about steady improvements. Use free tools like Google Analytics and Search Console to track traffic, rankings, and errors. Set small goals (like “fix 5 broken links this week”) and check your progress monthly. Notice a page dropping in rankings? Update the content or tweak the title. SEO success comes from staying consistent, not magic tricks. Keep refining, and your rankings will grow over time.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to be an SEO expert to improve your rankings—just follow these steps one at a time. Small fixes add up, and soon, your site will climb higher in search results. Stay patient, keep optimizing, and watch your traffic grow. If you get stuck or need help, reach out at info@adrian-portfolio.com. Now, go put these tips to work—your future top-ranking website is waiting!

10 FAQs Based on the Blog

1. Why is my website not ranking well on Google?

Your site might have technical issues (like slow speed or broken links), weak content, or poor mobile optimization. A DIY SEO audit can help find and fix these problems.

2. How do I check for broken links on my site?

Use free tools like Screaming Frog or Broken Link Checker to scan your website. Fix or redirect any broken links to improve user experience and SEO.

3. What’s the easiest way to speed up my website?

Compress images (try TinyPNG), enable browser caching, and remove unused plugins. Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights give simple suggestions.

4. How do I know if Google can index my pages?

Check Google Search Console’s “Coverage” report for errors. Make sure your robots.txt file and sitemap aren’t blocking important pages.

5. What makes content “better” than competitors?

Your content should be clearer, more helpful, and easier to read than what’s already ranking. Use short paragraphs, examples, and fresh updates.

6. Why is mobile-friendliness important for SEO?

Over half of web traffic comes from phones. If your site isn’t mobile-friendly, Google will rank it lower, and visitors will leave quickly.

7. How do I create SEO-friendly URLs?

Keep URLs short and descriptive (e.g., yoursite.com/seo-tips). Avoid long strings of numbers or symbols.

8. How can I get backlinks without spamming?

Create high-quality content (like guides or tools) that others naturally want to link to. Reach out to relevant sites with a friendly email.

9. How often should I check my SEO progress?

Track rankings and traffic weekly or monthly using Google Analytics and Search Console. Make small improvements regularly.

10. Can I do SEO myself, or do I need an expert?

You can fix most SEO issues yourself with free tools and consistent effort. For advanced help, email info@adrian-portfolio.com.

Got more questions? Drop me an email at info@adrian-portfolio.com—I’m happy to help! 🚀