What’s a Website Copy Audit and Why Your Website Might Need One
No one wants to sit around hoping and wishing their website will finally start bringing in clients. Especially after putting all of your energy into getting that thing up and running. It’s so frustrating because A. building a website is a really big job and B. you’ve got bills to pay, duh. If you’ve DIYed your website copy or even hired someone to do it and it still isn’t attracting the right people (or no one at all)—it might be time for a website copy audit.
What is a website copy audit?
So, what is a website copy audit, anyway? It’s like a real, honest friend who tells you exactly why the person you like is a dirtbag—it’s detailed, eye-opening, and insightful. It shows exactly what’s working, what’s not, and how to fix it. It goes all the way in making sure your brand tone and voice are consistent, your messaging is clear, and the copy is talking to your people, not at them. This isn’t just a basic skim; it’s about asking does it resonate with the people you want to reach? Does it actually sound like you, or does it sound like you hired a fancy little robot? Does it make people say, “Oh, this is the one I need?”
A thorough website copy audit looks at:
Tone and Voice: Is your brand tone (how you say things) clear? Is your brand voice (what you say) clear? Is your tone and voice consistent from page to page or does it change?
Clear and Concise Messaging: Is your message straight to the point and easy to get, or do people have to read it a few times to understand what you mean?
Client-Focused Messaging: Does your copy scream “LOOK AT ME!” or does it focus on what people actually get out of working with you?
Strong CTAs (call to action): Are your CTAs clear so people know what to do next, or are they confusing?
Flow and Readability: Is your copy easy to read, or does it overwhelm people making them hit the X faster than a pop-up ad?
Why your website might need a copy audit
If your website’s not doing its job, a copy audit is the friend who gently tells you which direction to go in. Maybe your messaging is off, or your tone doesn’t relate because it’s not what people want to hear. A copy audit helps you find and fix those weak spots, so your website does what it’s meant to do: attract the right people, connect with them, and convert them into clients (or customers).
Your Website Isn’t Converting
Oh my gosh, this is a big one! Seriously, if people are finding your website but leave without doing anything—no new subscribers, no calls booked, and definitely no new client inquiries, that’s a BIG RED FLAG! That means something is really off with your copy, and it’s costing you opportunities. An audit can show where your copy is losing people—maybe it’s confusing, too professional, or just not saying what people need to hear. And reviewing the language can help find what’s wrong so your website actually pulls in the right people and converts them into clients.
Your Copy Is Generic
If your website sounds just like everyone else in your industry, why would anyone choose you? Ding dong: they won’t. An audit helps you see where your copy lacks personality or originality. It’s about finding those ‘not so great’ parts and tweaking and changing them to make them better. An audit can help you figure out what makes you different and how to use that to get your people to say, “Yeah, this is exactly who I want to work with!”
Your Offers Have Changed
Have you made some updates—like changing your services, tweaking your processes, or narrowing down your niche, but your website still talks about what you were up to a year ago? That’s not gonna cut it. An audit helps you CATCH outdated copy and update it to show what you’re doing at the moment, so people know exactly what to expect.
You know You Need Help But Your Budget is TIGHT
If hiring someone to rewrite your website copy just isn’t in your budget right now, an audit is a more affordable option to refresh your website without breaking the bank. This way you’ll get clear insights and ideas you can use right away—saving you cash, while still giving your website the attention it deserves.
What to expect
First off, don’t lose your mind—a website copy audit doesn’t mean tearing your copy apart. It’s really about making improvements, not starting from scratch. Here’s how it’s done:
Review of Your Pages
Every page is reviewed to see how well it’s working and what could be improved. This means looking at the core pages, and other pages such as your blog page.
Tone and Voice Analysis
Does your tone and voice match, or are you catfishing your people? If you’re a chill, introverted person, but your website sounds super outgoing, that will cause people to look at you sideways and think, Who the hell is this? This isn’t them AT ALL! And that disconnect can really cost you clients. An audit checks that your tone and voice are consistent and show the real you.
Clear Copy
Is your copy easy to read and understand, or is it full of industry jargon? It should be clear and relatable so people say, “Oh, you really get me.” An audit makes sure your copy isn’t confusing or making people work too hard to understand your value.
Stronger CTAs
Are your CTAs pulling their weight? Are they strong enough to get people to actually take action? Are you saying “Contact me” when “Slide into my inbox” would work so much better? Tweaking your CTAs to be more specific can help people know exactly where you want them to go.
Client Perspective Shifts
Does your copy answer “What’s in it for me?” If your website is one-sided and just talks about you, it’s time to flip the script and focus on what your clients actually get from working with you. This shift can make people feel seen and understood.
After the audit: What’s next?
After the audit, you’ll get a document with detailed suggestions to revise your copy. This may look like tweaking some headlines, changing the language on your homepage, or even cutting some sentences out that don’t do anything besides add fluff—no one likes fluff.
Why it’s worth it
A website copy audit is an investment that can make sure your website is doing its job to actually convert and not just take up space on the internet. Instead of having a website that isn’t pulling its weight, you’ll have clear steps to fix it to make it better. This investment can lead to more conversions on your website.
Finally at the end of the “my website’s not converting” road? I get it, I would be too. Luckily, you’re in the right place because I offer website copy audits, have a look at my services.
