What is a content audit?

A content audit is a thorough review and assessment of the existing content on your website. Everything from the homepage to your latest blog post should be audited so that you can get a clear picture of the quality and usefulness of your site content.

Why would I need a content audit?

There’s multiple reasons for doing a content audit. You might not have done one before, and so you might think it’s time to review and tidy up your site’s content. You may have noticed a dip in performance, leads or conversions, and content may be part of the reason for that decline. Whatever your reason for carrying out an audit, it’s likely to be very useful if it’s done properly.

Reasons to perform a content audit

It can improve SEO

A content audit can help you identify content that is out-of-date, redundant or of lower quality. You can then update this content to make it more useful for users, improve keyword optimisation and internal linking, and generally boost the page’s quality and authority. Doing this will help to improve that page’s standing in the search engine results pages (SERPs). The more content to which you apply this process, the more authoritative your brand appears.

It can improve conversions

Having lots of content on your site is great, but if it lacks structure, detail, and clear direction, it won't boost your conversion rate. Detailed, informative content is crucial to prompt user action. Unengaging or irrelevant content won't keep users interested, let alone lead them to sign up or contact you.

Don't forget the importance of a clear call to action (CTA). Without CTAs, users may not know what to do. Effective content combined with a visible sign-up, subscribe, or purchase button is more likely to drive conversions. Prioritise updating pages lacking CTAs.

Conducting a content audit helps pinpoint underperforming pages. Identify which pages drive engagement and conversions and which ones lead to high bounce rates. Once you identify weaknesses, you can improve them to encourage user action.

Competitive advantage

A content audit should always include an analysis of what your competitors are doing; this means you can identify gaps in the market and areas where your competitors are underperforming. You can then create content to help you outperform them and gain an edge in your industry.

Compliance and Risk Management

If you regularly create legal or regulatory content, or content that otherwise has to adhere to strict guidelines, an audit can help you identify any pieces that may fall foul of said guidelines. Catching and updating or removing content like this can help improve compliance and reduce the risk of potential legal implications and ramifications.

Improved Content Quality

Improving the quality of your content is a very effective way of improving your brand’s reputation. If people associate your brand with quality, they’re likely to return to it, which will help to build brand loyalty.

Enhanced User Experience

There are plenty of factors that can affect user experience, from menus to layouts and loading times. However, content can also be a factor; if your users have to navigate through pages and pages of content to find what they’re looking for, they’re likely to give up and less likely to come back to your site. Streamlining your content will make your site easier to use and will help to increase engagement and the time your users spend on a page.

Conclusion

Never underestimate the impact that content can have on the perception, performance and reputation of your brand. Your content should be maintained and reviewed regularly, just as you would for other areas of your business. When performed properly, there are so many benefits to be had from a content audit. It takes time, planning and a lot of organisation, but tweaking, tidying and improving your content can work wonders for your brand.