How do I brief our in-house dev team to fix SEO issues flagged in an audit?
To brief your in-house dev team on fixing SEO issues flagged in an audit, provide a clear, prioritised list of tasks with specific details on each issue, its impact on SEO, and suggested solutions. Ensure open communication between your SEO and dev teams to address technical complexities and align on goals. Regularly follow up to track progress and adjust priorities as needed.
Why a Good Brief Matters
SEO audits can reveal a treasure trove of insights, but without action, they’re just fancy reports gathering digital dust. For B2B or SaaS companies, where online visibility often translates directly to leads and revenue, addressing these issues isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s essential. A well-crafted brief is your roadmap. It turns a daunting list of technical jargon into actionable tasks that your dev team can tackle efficiently.
Imagine you’ve just received an audit highlighting slow page speeds, broken links, and unoptimised meta tags. Each of these can impact your search rankings and user experience. But if your dev team doesn’t understand the urgency or the specifics, they might not prioritise them. That’s why your brief is crucial. It bridges the gap between SEO theory and technical execution.
Crafting the Perfect Brief
When you’re ready to hand over the audit findings to your dev team, clarity is your best friend. Here’s how to make sure nothing gets lost in translation:
- Prioritise Tasks: Not all issues are created equal. Start with tasks that have the most significant impact on your SEO performance, like fixing broken links or improving page load speeds.
- Detail the Issue: Provide specifics. Instead of saying “improve site speed,” mention the pages affected and the current load times.
- Explain the Impact: Help your dev team understand why each task matters. For instance, slow loading pages can lead to higher bounce rates, affecting your SEO rankings.
- Suggest Solutions: If you have ideas on how to fix an issue, share them. For example, recommend compressing images to improve load times.
- Set Deadlines: Give a realistic timeline for each task. It keeps everyone accountable and ensures progress is made.
Once your brief is ready, discuss it with your dev team. Open communication helps clarify any technical nuances and ensures everyone’s on the same page. Remember, they’re not just fixing issues — they’re enhancing your site’s performance and search visibility.
Keep the Conversation Going
Don’t just dump the brief on your dev team and walk away. Keep the conversation alive. Check in regularly, ask for updates, and be open to feedback. They might encounter technical challenges or have better solutions. Listen. Adjust priorities if needed.
And if you’re feeling out of your depth, consider reaching out to a search engine optimisation expert. They can offer guidance and ensure that your SEO efforts are on track. After all, getting better rankings is a team effort.
Ultimately, the key is collaboration. Your dev team has the technical chops, and you have the SEO insights. Together, you can turn those audit findings into a more robust, search-friendly site.