Small business website checklist (15-minute audit)
TL;DR
- A 15-minute audit can reveal missing basics: contact info, call-to-action, speed, mobile-friendliness, and security.
- Use free tools and Anchorlight Consulting’s core checklist for a quick, effective review.
- Expect quick wins: HTTPS, Google PageSpeed, click-to-call, and simple contact forms.
- Most fixes cost $0–50/month; professional tune-up in Marathon, FL starts at $299.
Short answer (≤60 words):
A 15-minute audit covers contact details, mobile layout, speed, clear calls-to-action, and basic SEO. For Florida Keys businesses, this quick checklist ensures your website isn’t losing customers to avoidable mistakes—and sets you up for more leads. Anchorlight Consulting can walk you through the process or handle fixes for you.
What this covers (entities & scope)
This audit is tailored for small businesses in Marathon, FL and the Florida Keys—including local services, retailers, hospitality providers, and owner-operators. With tools such as Shopify, Klaviyo, n8n, Airtable, and 11ty, Anchorlight Consulting has crafted a simple shorthand to identify common problems and quick improvements for your web presence.
What the audit covers:
- Accuracy and visibility of business info
- Website performance (speed, mobile-friendliness)
- Calls-to-action for leads and sales
- Basic search engine readiness (SEO)
- Contact/booking functionality
- Security and trust signals
The checklist is designed for hands-on business owners (or their staff), whether your site is built on Shopify, 11ty, Squarespace, or WordPress.
Step-by-step / Decision tree
Follow these steps for a reliable, small business website audit in 15 minutes:
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Basic Info & Contactability (3 min)
- Is your phone number, email, and address visible at the top and bottom of every page?
- Is your main call-to-action (call, book, buy) visible as a button on the homepage?
- Does your contact form send you an email (test it!)?
-
Mobile Experience (3 min)
- Open your site on a phone: does everything fit? Is the text legible without zooming?
- Are tap targets (buttons, links) easy to press with a finger?
- Tap your phone number—does it dial? Forms: can you fill and submit on your phone?
-
Speed (3 min)
- Use Google PageSpeed Insights: enter your URL, check both “Mobile” and “Desktop”.
- Look for “Largest Contentful Paint” < 2.5 seconds.
- Identify image or script issues called out by the tool.
-
Trust & Security (2 min)
- Check your URL: does it display a padlock (HTTPS/SSL)? No warnings or “Not Secure” labels?
- Is your privacy policy linked in the footer?
- Are reviews or testimonials visible? (If local, do they match Google Business Profile info?)
-
SEO & Search Basics (2 min)
- Do all site pages have unique, descriptive titles/taglines?
- Is your business name + location (e.g., “Charter Boat Marathon FL”) used in page titles and main content?
- Google your business name + city. Are you #1? If not, is your contact info easy to find?
If you hit snags in any step, Anchorlight Consulting can supply practical fixes or a more comprehensive audit.
Costs & time
- DIY Audit: 15–30 minutes using the checklist above and the free online tools referenced.
- Quick Fixes (DIY):
- Adding clickable phone/email links: Free.
- Setting up SSL (if not already active): $0–$15/year (often free from host).
- Google PageSpeed fixes: Free guides, or $25–$100 for plugins/tools, depending on platform.
- Professional Help:
- Anchorlight Consulting 1-hour tune-up: $149–$299 (includes audit, quick fixes, and recommendations).
- Ongoing monthly maintenance: $50–$100/month for updates, backup, and monitoring.
Examples / case note
A Marathon-based fishing charter realized bookings had dropped off. The owner used the checklist: the phone number on mobile wasn’t “click-to-call,” and the contact form had a typo in the notification email. They corrected both, updated the site’s main photo (which Google PageSpeed had flagged as “too large”), and instantly saw form inquiries double in two weeks. Anchorlight Consulting later helped them automate their booking follow-ups with Klaviyo.
Common mistakes & how to avoid
- Outdated or hidden contact details:
- Check your info quarterly, and make sure it’s on every page, not just the About or Contact page.
- Ignoring mobile usability:
- Don’t just use your desktop to check the site.
- Always test forms, tap targets, and buttons on a real phone or tablet.
- Forgetting SSL/security:
- Sites without HTTPS lose both search ranking and customer trust.
- Most hosts offer free SSL; renew annually and test your site regularly.
- Not testing forms/links:
- Always submit your own forms and try your phone/email links after updates.
- Thin or duplicated page titles:
- Give every page a unique, descriptive title with your service and location.
FAQ
Q: What if I’m not technical—can I really do this audit myself?
A: Yes—most checklist items just require clicking around, using your phone, and trying free tools. Anchorlight Consulting is happy to walk you through the steps or take a look for you.
Q: Why does website speed matter for a small local business?
A: Slow websites drive people away, especially mobile users. Google also ranks slow sites lower. Fast loading = more leads!
Q: How do I add click-to-call or click-to-text?
A: Use a “tel:” link for phone numbers (e.g., <a href="tel:3051234567">Call Us</a>) and test it on your own phone. Most website builders make this easy.
Q: What’s the #1 thing small businesses get wrong on their sites?
A: Hiding or burying contact info, or forgetting to put a strong call-to-action on all key pages.
Q: Are these problems specific to Marathon or the Florida Keys?
A: These basics apply everywhere, but Florida Keys businesses especially rely on mobile-first customers and fast decisions—so every second and click counts.
Q: Do I need to bring in a pro for all changes?
A: No—many small fixes (like updating info, adding SSL, or optimizing an image) are DIY. For larger or ongoing issues, a local shop like Anchorlight Consulting can help quickly.
Q: How often should I repeat this audit?
A: At least once every quarter, and after any major website updates.
Q: Will these fixes also help with Google/business listings?
A: Absolutely—consistency between your website and your Google Business Profile boosts search ranking and trust.
