If you’ve been following my journey, you already know: a major rebrand is in the works! Along with new visuals, a refined message, and some backstage magic, I’m focusing at the stage that will probably be my favorite, and maybe most challenging—my website audit. It’s the best way to understand what’s working, what’s outdated, and how to improve your site so it truly resonates with your audience (both current and future).

But it’s not just about my own site makeover. If you’ve never audited your website before—or if it’s been a while—this guide will show you how to approach your own website audit. By the end, you’ll have a clearer idea of how to polish up those digital edges and welcome visitors with an unforgettable online experience.

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Why a Website Audit Matters

A website audit takes a holistic look at everything from navigation and content to speed and accessibility. When done right, it’s like giving your site a professional tune-up. You get rid of what’s slowing you down and sharpen the elements that help you connect with your target audience—resulting in a site that looks better, functions better, and feels more “you.”

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Step 1: Streamline Your Navigation

My Approach:
I’m cutting back on any clutter or redundant pages to ensure my new site’s menu is simple, straightforward, and inviting. I want each visitor to instantly see where they should head next (and not feel like they’re in a maze).

My website has individual pages for each service, which definitely has some perks when it comes to SEO, but it also means I need to think through the structure of my navigation a little further.

For my website, I plan to combine and classic bar menu with an additional drop down menu for my services. I have a similar set up now, but will be making some adjustments to streamline it further.

Your Action Items:

1. Check Your Menu: List all the items in your navigation. Do you really need them all?
2. Group Similar Pages: Combine sections that share related content or functions. Can you put these into a drop down menu?
3. Rename for Clarity: Make sure your labels (e.g., “About,” “Services,” “Shop”) are easily understood by someone new to your brand.

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Step 2: Evaluate & Refresh Your Content

My Approach:
I’m looking at every paragraph, headline, and call-to-action on my site to see if it still reflects the direction of my new brand. Outdated info? Gone. Vague jargon? Rewritten to speak more honestly to my audience.

My rebrand is going to be following a diner-ish, waffle-style theme (I promise it is going to be SO fun) so there will be lots of reference to my breakfast food favorites. I also roped in friend and colleague, Joanna Flynn to help me write and refine my new website copy.

Your Action Items:

1. Audit Old Pages: Identify and update (or remove) any content that no longer serves you or your readers.
2. Strengthen Your Message: Ask yourself: “Who am I serving now, and how do I connect with them most effectively?”
3. Check Relevance: Each page should have a purpose. If it doesn’t, consider merging it with another page or scrapping it altogether.

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Step 3: Polish Your Visuals

My Approach:
Fresh branding calls for cohesive colors, fonts, and imagery. I’m swapping outdated images with new, on-brand photos and graphics, ensuring every visual aligns with the fresh, modern vibe I’m going for.

Again, my rebrand isn’t a light shift, it’s a pretty big change. So I have new logos, colors, fonts, and photos to add to the new website.

Your Action Items:

1. Consistency Is Key: Pick a cohesive color scheme that reflects your brand personality and speaks to your ideal client.
2. Update Photos & Graphics: Use high-quality, relevant visuals. A pixelated or irrelevant image can undermine your credibility.
3. Rethink Your Layout: Make sure elements are placed intuitively and that there’s enough white space to keep the design uncluttered.

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Step 4: Speed & Accessibility Check

My Approach:
A gorgeous design won’t mean much if the site takes forever to load or isn’t accessible to all users. I’m running speed tests, checking image file sizes, and improving accessibility features (like alt text, color contrast, and clear fonts).

Page Speed Insights is my favorite tool for this, so definitely take a minute to run your URL through their system and check for any major slow-downs.

Your Action Items:

1. Run a Speed Test: Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix to see how quickly (or slowly) your pages load.
2. Optimize Images: Compress large files and use the right format (e.g., .jpg, .png, or .webp).
3. Accessibility Matters: Add alt tags to images, use clear contrast in color schemes, and ensure all text is easily readable.

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Step 5: Highlight Your Community

My Approach:
Nothing beats real human connection—so I’m bringing testimonials, success stories, and social proof front-and-center in my rebrand. When visitors see others who’ve benefitted from my services, it fosters trust and encourages them to explore further.

I happen to work in a highly visual field which makes building a portfolio a little easier than some. But if you are a less visual entrepreneur (think copywriters, OBMs, even VAs) I recommend building a portfolio of case studies. Show what you do and how it actually makes a difference for your clients.

Your Action Items:

1. Gather Testimonials: Ask loyal customers or clients for a short quote about their experience.
2. Showcase Success Stories: This can be a dedicated page or sprinkled throughout your site.
3. Invite Interaction: Include clear calls-to-action, like “Sign up here!” or “Share your story!”

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Ready to Audit Your Own Website?

A website audit can be both exciting and daunting. By breaking it down into clear steps—navigation, content, visuals, speed, and community—you’ll have a roadmap for making meaningful improvements. Keep your target audience top-of-mind, and remember: small changes can lead to big impacts.

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Need an Expert’s Eye on Your Website?

Sometimes, you need a fresh perspective—someone who can spot issues, guide improvements, and help you transform your site into an online space that truly represents your brand. If you’d like me to take a look, I’ve got you covered!

Sign Up for My Website Evaluation Here
Drop your info, and I’ll personally audit your site, offering tailored feedback and actionable steps to help you shine online.

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Wrapping It Up
As I gear up to reveal my new website and branding, I hope these tips inspire you to take a closer look at your own site. An audit may feel like work—but it’s the kind of work that pays off in loyal visitors, meaningful connections, and a brand presence you can be proud of.

Stay tuned for more rebrand updates—and don’t forget to give your website the TLC it deserves!

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Got questions or want to share your own website audit wins? Feel free to reach out on Instagram—I’m always here to help and cheer you on!