How to Conduct SEO Audit for Online Businesses in US

In today’s digital world, running an online business without a strong SEO presence is like having a store on an empty street. SEO audits are essential to find out what’s working, what’s not, and how to improve your website’s visibility on search engines like Google. For US online businesses, a thorough SEO audit is the foundation of attracting more traffic, leads, and customers in 2025 and beyond.

I’m Riten, founder of Fueler, a platform that helps freelancers and professionals get hired through their work samples. In this article, I’ll guide you through a detailed process of conducting an SEO audit relevant to US online businesses. But beyond fixing your SEO, the real key is showcasing your improvements and results effectively. Your portfolio isn’t just a collection of projects it’s your proof of skill, credibility, and a shortcut to earning trust.

What Is an SEO Audit?

An SEO audit is a comprehensive analysis of your website’s health from a search engine perspective. It identifies issues that affect ranking, indexing, and user experience. Auditing helps you improve your site technically, on-page (content and keywords), and off-page (links and reputation).

• Spot technical errors that block search engines
• Evaluate website speed and mobile-friendliness
• Review content quality and keyword targeting
• Analyze backlink profile and online reputation

Why it matters: Regular SEO audits keep your site optimized for ever-changing search algorithms and user expectations, ensuring steady growth in traffic and customer acquisition.

Step-by-Step SEO Audit Guide for US Online Businesses

1. Crawl Your Website

Use tools like Screaming Frog, SEMrush, or Sitebulb to crawl your entire site. Crawling reveals broken links, duplicate pages, redirect chains, and navigation issues that prevent search engines from fully indexing your pages.

• Check for 404 errors and broken links
• Identify duplicate content and URLs
• Audit internal linking structure
• Review redirect chains and broken redirects

Why it matters: A clean crawl helps search engines understand and rank your site better while enhancing user experience.

2. Analyze Page Speed and Core Web Vitals

Google prioritizes site speed and user experience metrics called Core Web Vitals. Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights and GTmetrix test your loading speed, interactivity, and visual stability.

• Measure First Contentful Paint and Largest Contentful Paint
• Check for input delay and cumulative layout shift
• Optimize images and reduce server response times
• Minimize JavaScript and CSS blocking

Why it matters: Fast, smooth loading websites improve user satisfaction and boost rankings in search results for US users.

3. Mobile-Friendliness Check

Mobile usage dominates US internet traffic, making mobile optimization essential. Test your site with Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to identify issues on smartphones and tablets.

• Ensure responsive design across all devices
• Fix clickable elements that are too close
• Optimize images and fonts for smaller screens

Why it matters: Mobile-friendly sites rank higher and convert better, crucial for businesses targeting US mobile-first customers.

4. Review Indexing and Robots.txt

Make sure Google indexes your important pages while blocking irrelevant or duplicate content using proper robots.txt and meta tags. Use Google Search Console to monitor indexed pages and errors.

• Check robots.txt settings to avoid accidental blocking
• Verify meta robots tags for noindex pages
• Submit and test XML sitemap for crawl efficiency
• Find and fix crawl errors and soft 404s

Why it matters: Correct indexing ensures your best pages appear in search and your crawl budget is well spent.

5. On-Page SEO Audit

Review your page titles, meta descriptions, headings, alt text, and content relevance. Ensure keyword usage aligns naturally with user intent to boost organic visibility.

• Optimize meta titles and descriptions for keywords
• Use header tags (H1, H2) effectively
• Add descriptive alt text for images
• Audit content quality for uniqueness and depth

Why it matters: Well-optimized pages improve search rankings and attract the right audience to your US online business.

6. Backlink Profile Analysis

Quality backlinks remain a major ranking factor. Use tools like Ahrefs or Moz to evaluate your backlink profile, identify toxic links, and discover opportunities.

• Check number, quality, and relevance of backlinks
• Remove or disavow spammy or harmful links
• Identify link-building prospects and partnerships

Why it matters: A strong backlink profile enhances domain authority, boosting your competitiveness in search results.

7. Content Quality and Competitor Benchmarking

Readability, relevance, and uniqueness of content matter. Compare your content against competitors to identify gaps and areas for improvement, focusing on what your target US market values.

• Analyze engagement metrics and bounce rates
• Update outdated or thin content
• Add original insights and multimedia elements

Why it matters: Excellent content distinguishes you from competitors, driving higher engagement and conversion.

8. Local SEO Review (if applicable)

If your business serves specific US locations, local SEO optimization is critical. Audit your Google My Business listing, NAP consistency, and local citations.

• Ensure accurate business information across directories
• Optimize for local keywords and reviews
• Check local ranking and visibility

Why it matters: Local SEO drives foot traffic and regional online sales, essential for location-based US businesses.

Fueler -  Showcase Your SEO Work Smartly

If you’re an SEO freelancer or agency professional, Fueler helps you stand out by letting you build a portfolio with real SEO assignments and measurable results. Demonstrating your audit findings and improvements through Fueler builds trust with US companies and accelerates hiring decisions.

Final Thought

Conducting a detailed SEO audit is essential for US online businesses aiming to maintain and improve their search presence in 2025. Audits uncover hidden problems and unlock growth opportunities. Combine technical fixes, on-page improvements, backlink strategies, and content excellence for lasting impact. And remember, showcasing your SEO successes with a platform like Fueler will give you the credibility and competitive edge in attracting clients.

FAQs

1. How often should US businesses perform SEO audits?

At least twice a year or whenever significant website changes occur.

2. What tools are best for crawling and auditing a website?

Screaming Frog, SEMrush, and Sitebulb are popular choices for comprehensive audits.

3. How important are Core Web Vitals for SEO in 2025?

Very important, as Google heavily factors them into ranking decisions.

4. Can AI tools help with SEO audits?

Yes, AI-powered platforms speed up diagnostics and offer actionable insights.

5. How does Fueler help SEO professionals?

Fueler lets SEO experts display real work samples and results, building trust with US clients and employers.

What is Fueler Portfolio?

Fueler is a career portfolio platform that helps companies find the best talents for their organization based on their proof of work.

You can create your portfolio on Fueler, thousands of freelancers around the world use Fueler to create their professional-looking portfolios and become financially independent. Discover inspiration for your portfolio

Sign up for free on Fueler or get in touch to learn more.