Here’s a simple, time-boxed process you can follow.
Step 1: Check tracking and traffic trends (10 minutes)
Start in Google Analytics 4 and Google Search Console.
In GA4, confirm that pageviews, sessions and key conversions are being tracked correctly and there are no unexplained drops. If your GA4 reporting looks odd – especially your Key Events – use Totally Digital’s walkthrough on the Key Events report in GA4 to make sure you’re seeing the right data.
In Search Console, review the Performance report for the last 3–6 months. Note any sharp declines in impressions or clicks, and which pages or queries are most affected.
Step 2: Run quick technical health checks (20 minutes)
Use PageSpeed Insights and Lighthouse (in Chrome DevTools) on 2–3 key landing pages. Jot down recurring issues: large images, render-blocking scripts, slow server response, layout shift. Fixing these will usually boost both rankings and conversion rate.
Next, run a crawl with the free version of Screaming Frog (up to 500 URLs). Look for:
- 4xx and 5xx errors
- Duplicate title tags and meta descriptions
- Non-indexable pages that should be indexable
If you spot a lot of thin or legacy URLs that shouldn’t really be in Google at all, Totally Digital’s guide on how to remove a page from Google will help you safely deindex them.
If you’re new to how crawling and indexing actually work, it’s worth skimming their primer on search engine basics so you understand what you’re seeing in the crawl data.
Step 3: Review content and intent alignment (20 minutes)
Pick your top 5–10 landing pages from Search Console and check:
- Does each page clearly target a specific search intent (informational, commercial, transactional)?
- Is the primary keyword naturally used in the title, H1 and opening paragraph?
- Does the content genuinely answer the query better than competitors on page 1?
Refresh thin content with clearer structure, better examples, FAQs and up-to-date stats. Make sure internal links point from high-traffic evergreen pages to newer or more commercial content to support rankings and discovery.
If you’ve redesigned or migrated the site recently, double-check that key URLs, redirects and content survived the change. The horror stories in Totally Digital’s article on SEO migration failures show what can happen when this step is skipped.
Step 4: Scan links and prioritise actions (10 minutes)
Use the Links report in Search Console to review your top linked pages and anchor text. Ask:
- Are my most important service or product pages getting enough internal links?
- Are external links pointing to 404s or redirected URLs?
Add a handful of relevant internal links from strong pages to those that need a boost, and log any larger tasks (content rewrites, template fixes, image compression) for your dev or content team.
Finish by writing a short action list with owners and deadlines. That way, your 60-minute audit leads to real improvements, not just another forgotten spreadsheet.
FAQs
1. Which free tools do I actually need for a 60-minute SEO audit?
At minimum, use Google Analytics 4, Google Search Console, PageSpeed Insights, Lighthouse and a free crawler like Screaming Frog (up to 500 URLs). Together they cover data, indexing, technical health and on-page SEO without any paid subscriptions.
2. How often should I run a quick SEO audit?
For most small to mid-sized sites, a light 60-minute audit every quarter works well. If you publish a lot of content or rely heavily on organic search for leads, aim for monthly so you can catch technical issues and traffic drops early.
3. What’s the difference between a quick audit and a full SEO audit?
A quick audit focuses on the biggest red flags: tracking, indexing, core technical issues and top landing pages. A full audit goes deeper into architecture, content gaps, competitors and link analysis. Totally Digital’s more detailed SEO insights are a good next step when you’re ready for that level of detail.
4. Can I do this audit if I’m not an SEO specialist?
Yes. The tools mentioned are designed for marketers and site owners as well as specialists. If you get stuck, guides like the search engine basics article can help you interpret what you’re seeing and turn it into practical actions.
5. What should I do if I find serious traffic drops?
First, rule out tracking problems in GA4 and check your Key Events are set up correctly. Then review Search Console for manual actions, indexing issues or big changes around a site migration. If the drop coincides with a redesign, start by comparing your situation with the cases in the SEO migration failures article and address similar issues on your own site.