How do you compare your site's technical SEO performance with your competitors?

1 Step 1: Identify your competitors

In order to determine your main competitors in your niche and target keywords, you can use various tools and methods. Start by searching for your keywords on Google and analyzing the top results. Additionally, try using a keyword research tool to see who ranks for your target keywords and related terms, or a competitor analysis tool to uncover the domain authority, backlink profile, traffic, and more of your competitors. You don't need to analyze every competitor, but instead focus on the ones that are most relevant and similar to your site. Ultimately, you should have a list of 3-5 competitors to compare with.

2 Step 2: Audit your site's technical SEO

The next step is to audit your own site's technical SEO and identify any issues or opportunities for improvement. To do this, you could use a site audit tool to scan for errors, warnings, and recommendations. You could also check your site's crawlability, indexability, mobile usability, core web vitals, and more by using Google Search Console. Additionally, you could measure your site's loading speed and performance with Google PageSpeed Insights, and verify your site's security and encryption with an SSL checker. It is important to fix any critical errors and optimize any aspects that can affect your site's ranking and user experience. Additionally, document your site's technical SEO metrics and scores for comparison.

3 Step 3: Audit your competitors' technical SEO

The third step is to audit your competitors' technical SEO and compare it to your site. You can use the same tools and methods as in step 2, but apply them to your competitors' sites. Analyze any strengths and weaknesses of their technical SEO, such as the speed, security, structure, crawlability, user-friendliness, and mobile-friendliness. Additionally, document their technical SEO metrics and scores for comparison.

4 Step 4: Analyze the results and take action

To analyze the results of your audits and take action, you may use a spreadsheet or dashboard to compare your site's technical SEO metrics and scores with those of your competitors. A gap analysis tool can help you identify any technical SEO aspects that your competitors are doing better than you or that you are missing. Additionally, a prioritization tool can rank the most important and impactful technical SEO issues and opportunities for your site. With this, you can close the gaps and leverage the opportunities that can give you a competitive edge in technical SEO. Finally, monitoring your site's technical SEO performance and tracking the changes and results over time is essential.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?