Content audits are used to check how well your website is performing. You can schedule content audits so that subject matter experts (SMEs) can review content and ensure it is up to date. You can also use them to evaluate pages according to their stage in the content lifecycle, so you know which pages to update, consolidate, or archive.
Steps to running a content audit
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List your content pages, page by page
Extract a list of all your webpages, using a tool or your existing website sitemap. We have access to a range of tools that can help you do this. -
Detail your pages, to know what each page is about
Add your list of webpages or sitemap to the content audit template, so that each page sits on a separate row.
Working down the list, visit each page to detail its key purpose.
Pay attention to the title and its location in the menu structure. What page (such as services or projects) is it related to? Are there any special features, such as a contact form, live chat, map, text to talk, or translations? Ensure these features are captured in your audit.
If your audit contains many pages, it might be a good idea to work with an SME to review some of the pages in your list, and divide and conquer what could be a significant task. -
Categorise your pages
While visiting each page, note what type of page it is, e.g. is it a home page or a hub page that directs users to other pages of the site? Or is it a standard content page, blog post, or a form? Try to keep your list of page categories short, to help group your pages. -
Analyse your pages
Ask yourself: -
Is the content up to date and still relevant?
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When was the page last updated?
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Is the page meeting its goals? What are the stats for visitor numbers, bounce rate and time on page? If possible, add in the traffic numbers from your analytics tool for each of your pages. This will help you work out which pages are most active, and where to focus your attention first.
How to audit links and media files on your pages
As you do your content audit, consider the links and media used on those pages.
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What internal and external links does each page point to?
Most importantly, do they work? -
What image, video, PDF, audio or other media files are in use?
Do you have the original? Is it web-optimised so the file size is not too large? Does it have all of its required meta data? -
If there are any PDFs, are they in an accessible format, or do you have the original so they can be made accessible?
Find out more on the Digital NSW digital service toolkit. -
If there are any videos, are there captions or a transcript available to support them?
What you can expect after auditing your content
Your audit will help you determine how to optimise your content. You ultimately want to score a grade for each page, with:
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A+ pages – relevant, up to date, with strong analytics stats. These pages should be used as examples of what good content looks like.
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B grade pages – relevant, but may need improvement such as internal links to boost visits to the page.
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C grade pages – in need of an overhaul. Perhaps these pages do not get many visits or have outdated content that needs some SME attention.
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F grade pages – outdated and underperforming. The content on these pages could be consolidated on to other existing pages or archived.
Be sure to note what steps are required during or after your audit.
For further tips and guidance, including how to assess the quality of your content and whether it is fit for purpose, see content audit in the Digital Service Toolkit.
Need any more help?
If you have any questions, or require assistance with anything mentioned on this article, submit a request via the webform.