The 8-Point Audit System

Navigating the Roadmap to Digital Success

In the ever-evolving digital world, having a website that’s functional, user-friendly, and visually appealing is no longer a luxury—it's a necessity. We understand that navigating the maze of optimization can feel like you're stuck between a rock and a hard place. That’s where our trusty 8-point audit system comes in—think of it like your digital GPS, guiding you from a good site to a great one, with clear, actionable steps along the way. It’s like being Anthony Bourdain, but instead of tasting street food, we’re exploring web experiences—ripping apart the menu, seeing what works, and finding that next big thing.

Here’s how we break it all down.

User Experience

The Heartbeat of Your Site

A clean design and intuitive navigation are the backbone of any successful site. But it’s not just about making it pretty. It’s about making sure your users feel comfortable, engaged, and, most importantly, guided through your content. Our audit doesn't just look for aesthetic perfection (though that’s nice too), it identifies opportunities to turn a pleasant experience into a sticky one.

Take Trello. The interface is sleek and minimal, which leaves plenty of room for focus and action. It’s an experience that guides users intuitively through their tasks. However, some users might appreciate a bit more interactivity, like hover effects or animations, which could add a layer of dynamism to an already great experience. One other small tweak could be in the sidebar, where making clickable areas a little larger might help users navigate even more easily.

Copy & Messaging

Speak to the Soul of Your Audience

Let’s get real. If your copy isn’t speaking to your audience in a way that feels natural, it’s just noise. It’s like a chef who uses the best ingredients but forgets to season the dish. Sure, it’s fine, but it’s not unforgettable.

Looking at Duolingo, their copy is playful and engaging, drawing users in with humor and wit. This keeps learners coming back for more, but there’s room for improvement. Some users may prefer a more balanced tone—something that’s less playful and a little more professional. Still, Duolingo’s strength lies in its ability to make learning feel fun and approachable, while maintaining clarity in its messaging. It’s an excellent example of how tone and personality can shape the user experience, making it more engaging while remaining effective.

Page Hierarchy & Navigation

Guide the Journey

People don’t have time to guess where they need to go next. When you hit a site, you should know exactly what the next step is without having to think too hard. Our audit looks at how well your content is organized—whether users can find their way with ease or if they're wandering in the digital wilderness, looking for breadcrumbs.

Taking Shopify as an example. Their website navigation is straightforward and clear, providing a solid user journey from the homepage to deeper content. However, as you delve into their product offerings, some of the submenus can get a little crowded. Streamlining these could help reduce decision fatigue and make it easier for users to find exactly what they need without feeling overwhelmed. Simple adjustments like this can make the difference between a smooth, frictionless experience and one that leaves users searching for answers.

Accessibility

Everyone Deserves a Seat at the Table

We take accessibility seriously. A good site is one that can be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of ability. If your site is missing basic accessibility features like focus indicators, skip links, or captions for videos, then it’s time to level up.

Duolingo once again does a great job with contrast and clear typography, ensuring readability for most users. But there’s always room to grow. Incorporating more interactive accessibility features, like voice navigation or making sure all elements are keyboard-navigable, could significantly improve the experience for people with visual or mobility impairments. These small enhancements can make a big difference in ensuring your site is truly accessible to everyone.

SEO & Metadata

The Hidden Backbone

SEO is that silent powerhouse that works behind the scenes. If your SEO game is weak, your site won’t see the traffic it deserves. But don’t worry, we’ve got your back. From title structures and keyword usage to metadata and image alt texts, we’ll audit every corner of your site to make sure it’s optimized for search engines.

Atlassian, for example, has a solid SEO foundation with well-structured headings and relevant keywords. Still, there are areas for improvement—particularly when it comes to metadata. While the content itself is strong, improving meta descriptions across the site could help boost click-through rates from search engines, making the site more visible to potential users. It’s the kind of small optimization that can have a big impact on your site’s traffic.

Conversion Optimization

Turning Visitors into Action Takers

You’ve got the audience. Now what? Conversion optimization ensures that those visitors turn into real leads, subscribers, or customers. We’re not just talking about visible contact information; we’re diving into the user journey—where they hesitate, where they drop off, and where we can add that extra nudge to make them act.

Linear is a good highlight here. The sign-up process is quick and simple, with clear calls to action guiding users along the way. But there’s always room for improvement. Adding a free trial or product demo could entice more users to sign up, turning curiosity into commitment. Plus, showcasing social proof—such as testimonials or case studies—could help build trust and convert hesitant visitors into active users.

Brand Consistenc

Stay True to Yourself

Branding isn’t just about a logo and colors; it’s about the experience you offer at every touchpoint. We check if your messaging, tone, and design are consistent across all your pages. If you’re trying to tell a story with your brand, you better make sure that story stays coherent.

Outerbase provides a good example here. Their visual identity is strong, but there are some inconsistencies in color choices and messaging that can make the user question what the brand stands for. A more refined, consistent approach would help build trust and ensure that their brand message remains clear across every touchpoint.

Responsiveness

Because Everyone’s on the Go

Let’s face it—if your site isn’t optimized for mobile, you’re losing a huge chunk of potential customers. Whether it’s the size of clickable elements or ensuring that your content fits the small screen just right, our audit ensures your site delivers a seamless mobile experience.

While your desktop version might be perfect, if your mobile site is a nightmare, it’s time to get responsive. Take Linear, for example—the desktop version is smooth and well-optimized. But ensuring that the mobile experience delivers the same fluidity is just as important. With mobile traffic continuously rising, it’s a must to have a site that looks just as good on a phone as it does on a desktop.

Wrapping It Up

Our 8-point audit system isn’t just about ticking boxes; it’s about helping you build a site that’s built to last. It’s about identifying what works and what doesn’t, and making sure your site is polished and optimized at every turn. From usability and content to SEO and conversion, we’ve got you covered.

So, grab your digital fork and knife—let’s dig into your website’s performance, take a few notes, and make sure your users get the best experience possible. It’s all about small changes that can lead to big improvements.

At the end of the day, we’re here to help your site taste just right.