Can a local Calgary retailer or an Edmonton startup truly outrank national brands without massive budgets?
We believe they can. At AlbertaRank, we run focused SEO Audits that start with indexing checks and mobile‑first readiness.
Our audit process looks at site crawlability, speed, Core Web Vitals (LCP ≤2.5s, INP <200ms, CLS <0.1), and Google Search Console trends.
We prioritise the highest‑impact pages for Calgary and Edmonton businesses — service, location and lead pages — so changes drive measurable growth quickly.
We show exact URLs, the issue, why it matters and how to fix it, so teams can act without agency fluff.
Expect clear timelines, a prioritised action list and first‑party data that links fixes to better local pack visibility and stronger map rankings.
Key Takeaways
- We start audits with indexing, mobile checks and speed to win local search.
- Core Web Vitals targets guide performance fixes that improve user experience.
- Actionable priorities focus on service, location and lead pages for quick wins.
- We use Google Search Console plus best‑in‑class crawlers for precise insights.
- Deliverables include owners, timelines and a clear fix list to ensure results.
What Alberta businesses need from SEO audits right now
A focused audit should point to the fixes that move the needle for Alberta SMBs. We deliver reports tailored to Calgary and Edmonton realities: clear priorities, quick wins and a plan that fits your team.
We start by finding technical blockers — broken links, redirect chains, orphan pages and sitemap errors. Then we check content quality and search intent to see which pages match local queries.
We benchmark Core Web Vitals and use first‑party signals from Google Search Console plus gaps from Semrush and Ahrefs. That shows which pages earn impressions and where clicks leak.
- Fast wins: indexable service pages, accurate NAP and clean internal linking to location pages.
- Diagnose non‑ranking pages: intent mismatch, thin content, slow LCP on mobile, or missing internal links.
- Improve user experience for real users — readable copy, tappable CTAs and stable layouts to lower bounces.
- We verify fixes with follow‑up crawls and clear, page‑level steps so you see measurable results in search engines.
User intent behind SEO Audits in 2025
Understanding why people search helps us shape pages that answer real local questions for Calgary and Edmonton customers.
We group queries by intent — learn, compare, buy, local — and match each to the right page type. That way a visitor finds a clear answer fast.
We edit pages to put core answers up top, add concise skimmable sections, and include Alberta specifics like pricing ranges, service areas and seasonal notes. These details build trust with local users.
We add proof: reviews, case snippets and local logos. CTAs are matched to intent — for example, “Get a quote in Calgary” or “Book an Edmonton consult.”
- Create ~40-word summaries in key sections to target featured snippets and AI Overviews.
- Structure pages with clear H2/H3s so both users and google search systems can scan content quickly.
- Remove fluff and outdated assets to strengthen relevance and trust.
Intent | Page type | Immediate goal | Key signals |
---|---|---|---|
Learn | Guide / FAQ | Educate and retain | Short summaries, internal links |
Compare | Comparison / Pricing | Help decide | Local pricing, pros/cons, reviews |
Buy / Local | Service + Location | Drive contact or booking | Strong CTAs, NAP, local proof |
Finally, we ensure technical crawlability so answers can appear in search results. We then monitor click patterns and user behaviour to gather insights and confirm the updates work.
Best SEO audit tools for 2025
Picking the right toolset keeps work focused and budgets lean for Calgary and Edmonton teams. We pair free Google data with best‑value platforms to deliver clear, actionable fixes that your team can implement.
Semrush Site Audit and Copilot
Semrush checks 140+ issues and compares audits over time. Its Copilot gives fast guidance so we track site health and re‑crawl fixed pages on demand.
Ahrefs Site Audit
Ahrefs provides deep technical breakdowns and highlights internal link opportunities. We use it for granular structure views and backlink context.
Screaming Frog SEO Spider
Screaming Frog runs quick desktop crawls (free to 500 URLs) and integrates with OpenAI/Gemini. It surfaces broken links, duplicates and meta problems fast.
SE Ranking & SEOptimer
SE Ranking adds AI summaries and flexible grouping to show before/after results. SEOptimer gives SMB‑friendly, embeddable reports and white‑label PDFs to move stakeholders.
Google first‑party tools
Google Search Console and PageSpeed Insights supply indexing, performance and Core Web Vitals data (LCP, INP, CLS). We ground decisions in this data and combine platforms to help identify patterns a single tool might miss.
- We document all findings into one prioritised action plan.
- We right‑size subscriptions so you pay for impact, not bloat.
- Routine crawls keep issues from piling up between releases.
Plan your SEO Audits for Calgary and Edmonton sites
Plan audits with Alberta priorities in mind: service pages, seasonal demand and high‑value locations.
We define scope by business goals: priority services, Calgary and Edmonton locations, and the pages that drive revenue first. Next, we build a clear page list — homepage, service/location pages, top blog posts, product categories and templates — so nothing important is missed.
We set a site audit project in Semrush, schedule crawls to match your dev sprints, and exclude admin or redirect pages to reduce noise. Priorities follow errors > warnings > notices so teams fix what matters fast.
- Cadence: monthly or quarterly aligned with releases.
- Rank tasks by impact and effort — indexation, critical CWV regressions and broken internal links go first.
- Document owners, timelines and a running change log so fixes don’t stall.
We add measurement up front: target lifts in impressions, clicks and conversions to prove we improve website performance. Then we schedule validation crawls and CWV spot checks after deployment.
Ensure proper indexing and canonical versions
Missing or mixed site versions often split authority across multiple URLs; we fix that fast. We test HTTP/HTTPS and www/non‑www and enforce a single canonical HTTPS version with 301s.
We review canonical tags and remove accidental sitewide noindex rules. That clears key templates so your top pages can be crawled by search engines.
Next, we scan the Search Console Pages report to find non‑indexed pages and their reasons. We fix robots.txt blocks, trailing slash and parameter duplication, and prune zombie or thin pages that waste crawl budget.
“Validate every fix in google search console and watch indexing grow over time.”
We also ensure XML sitemaps list only canonical 200 (OK) pages and reference them in robots.txt. Pagination, filters and alternates are reviewed so duplicates do not surface.
Check | Why it matters | Action |
---|---|---|
Domain versions | Split signals lower visibility | 301 to canonical HTTPS |
Canonical tags | Prefer correct page | Fix alternate canonicals |
Search Console Pages | Shows index status | Address non‑indexed reasons |
We document indexation status for your priority pages and validate changes in the search console. That keeps Calgary and Edmonton sites visible where customers search.
Check mobile-first readiness and real-world usability
Phone users expect fast, readable pages — we make sure your site meets that expectation. We test templates on real devices and throttled connections to mirror Calgary and Edmonton behaviour.
We focus on clear reading, touch targets and reliable layouts. That improves user experience and reduces friction for visitors who want answers fast.
We confirm responsive design, viewport settings, and font sizes so the page reads well on small screens. We enlarge tap areas and add sticky CTAs to help users act.
- Compress images and video for mobile networks.
- Remove render‑blocking resources and defer non‑critical JavaScript.
- Test forms, labels and keyboard types to cut form abandonment.
- Reserve space for media to prevent layout shifts.
We use PageSpeed Insights to measure mobile load time and Core Web Vitals. Our work boosts website performance and ties UX wins to better seo results. This part of any audit shows clear gains in mobile-dominated search and conversions.
Evaluate and improve Core Web Vitals
Field data on load and stability tells us which pages to fix first for the biggest business impact. We benchmark real user metrics and prioritise the templates that drive traffic and conversions in Calgary and Edmonton.
Targets: LCP ≤2.5s; INP <200ms; CLS <0.1. These web vitals guide our work so fixes deliver clearer returns for local businesses.
Largest Contentful Paint: faster above-the-fold delivery
We speed up LCP by optimising hero images, using modern formats, preloading critical assets and improving TTFB. Removing render‑blocking CSS/JS and adding critical CSS helps the first meaningful paint.
Interaction to Next Paint: responsive, lightweight scripts
To lower INP we trim heavy scripts, defer non‑essential JavaScript and audit third‑party tags. Lightweight event handlers keep interactions snappy on mobile networks.
Cumulative Layout Shift: stable media and UI elements
We prevent CLS by reserving width and height on images, iframes and ads, and by avoiding late DOM inserts. Lazy‑loading below‑the‑fold assets preserves layout stability.
- Benchmarks come from Search Console field data and lab checks.
- Validate fixes in PageSpeed Insights and monitor changes in the GSC reports.
- We set performance budgets per template and align fixes with developer sprints to prevent regressions.
We report CWV gains alongside engagement lifts so you see how website performance work moves clicks, calls and revenue for Alberta businesses. Our recommendations are code‑ready and tied to priority issues.
Crawl your site for technical issues that impact rankings
We run deep crawls to map every live page and reveal the technical faults that slow your site. Our goal is simple: hand your developers a prioritised fix list they can ship quickly.
Prioritising errors, warnings, and notices for faster wins
We use a mix of tools — Semrush site audit flags 140+ issues by severity and Screaming Frog exports help diagnose at scale. First, we focus on errors (4xx/5xx, broken links, blocked resources). Then we deal with warnings and notices.
Common pitfalls: broken links, redirect chains, orphan pages, sitemaps
Typical issues include redirect loops, broken internal links (404s), orphan pages and sitemap inaccuracies. We flatten redirect chains to pass equity faster and update sitemaps so they list only canonical, live urls.
- Configure crawl scope around indexable 200 pages and key templates.
- Rescue orphan pages by linking them from hubs and navigation.
- Resolve duplicate content with canonical tags or consolidation.
- Audit metadata and hreflang (if used), plus pagination and faceted nav depth.
Issue | Priority | Action |
---|---|---|
4xx / 5xx responses | High | Fix links or redirect to live pages |
Redirect chains / loops | High | Flatten to single 301 |
Orphan pages | Medium | Add internal links from related hubs |
Sitemap errors / duplicates | Medium | List only canonical, indexable urls |
We provide CSV exports and task lists mapped to owners and timelines. After fixes, we verify with targeted re‑crawls and show before/after site health so you can see the gains.
Strengthen on-page SEO for high-impact pages
Make each priority page a compact, answer-first experience that matches local search intent.
We optimise titles, headings, copy and media so Calgary and Edmonton pages convert more visitors into customers.
On-page basics matter: concise title tags, unique meta descriptions, a single H1 and logical H2/H3 structure. Clean, keyword-rich URLs and descriptive alt text boost clarity and accessibility.
- We rewrite titles to include primary keywords and strong value to lift CTR.
- We craft meta descriptions that describe page benefits for local customers.
- We ensure one clear H1, scannable sections and natural keyword placement early on the page.
- We compress images, add descriptive alt text and use the site audit tool recommendations to scale fixes.
- We strengthen internal links with context-rich anchors to pass relevance and reduce click depth.
- We use Google Search Console to spot underperforming queries and expand content where needed.
- We add concise ~40-word answer boxes to target featured snippets and improve search results presence.
Finally, we validate gains with PageSpeed Insights and on-page checkers so every change helps improve website performance and ranking for local queries.
Review content quality to satisfy search intent
We review each page to confirm it answers the real questions Alberta customers type into search.
Our review checks value, originality and clarity. We score pages on whether they fully answer the primary query, offer local context for Calgary or Edmonton, and demonstrate expertise.
We add depth with clear steps, examples and Alberta‑specific notes. We update stats, screenshots and citations so the content stays fresh and credible.
Pages are then categorised: update, rewrite, consolidate or delete. We remove fluff, merge overlaps and add expert quotes or case snippets to boost trust.
Action | When | Outcome | Owner |
---|---|---|---|
Update | Minor data or examples | Improved accuracy | Content owner |
Rewrite | Intent mismatch or thin copy | Better relevance | Senior writer |
Consolidate | Overlapping posts | Stronger resource | Editor |
Delete | Low value / outdated | Reduced noise | Product owner |
We track engagement data — time on page, scroll depth and conversions — to confirm the changes deliver measurable results. Every page gets a documented step and an owner so improvements land fast.
Maximise internal links to boost discoverability
Internal linking builds clear pathways so Calgary and Edmonton visitors — and search systems — find your best pages faster. We map journeys that move users from broad topics to transactional pages in three clicks or fewer.
Reducing click depth and avoiding orphaned URLs
We audit click depth and bring priority pages within three clicks from the homepage. That reduces friction and helps revenue pages get seen.
- Move key pages closer to the homepage and hubs to meet the ≤3 clicks guideline.
- Add contextual links from high‑authority pieces to service and location pages.
- Link related articles with descriptive anchors to spread relevance naturally.
- Rescue orphaned urls by adding them to hubs, menus and the sitemap.
- Create hub/cluster structures and add breadcrumbs and related content widgets.
- Use Search Console and Semrush click‑depth reports to find pages with impressions but few clicks, then strengthen internal links.
- Maintain a publish checklist so every new page gets an internal linking step and natural anchors.
We re‑crawl and validate after changes so discoverability gains show in metrics. This is a simple, high‑impact way we help Alberta businesses get found faster online.
Analyse backlink profile health and growth
We review link patterns month by month to separate steady growth from risky spikes. Using Semrush Backlink Analytics, we chart referring domains and the number of new links over the past 12–24 months.
We check anchor distribution so the profile stays brand‑led and natural. We prefer branded or generic anchors and flag over‑optimised phrases that can harm ranking.
We evaluate relevance by industry and geography, prioritising Canadian and Alberta sites like chambers, local publishers and associations. When we spot toxic patterns — spam directories or irrelevant foreign domains — we plan remediation and removal.
- Benchmark referring domains and growth trends.
- Assess anchor text and map links to top pages.
- Build local prospect lists and outreach priorities.
- Monitor authority metrics and ranking lifts as links land.
- Integrate new links into internal linking and set a steady monthly cadence.
Clear link data and focused outreach help a Calgary or Edmonton business grow authority without risky shortcuts. We document every action so your site gains sustainable, local traction in search.
Benchmark competitors and close keyword gaps
We map real SERP rivals in Calgary and Edmonton so your team targets pages that matter. Using competitive intel, we turn domain-level comparisons into an action plan you can ship.
Identify missing and weak keywords with gap analysis
We run a Keyword Gap from Semrush to pull Missing and Weak terms and then map each keyword to an existing or new page.
That gives us clear content briefs and the exact format top pages use. We prioritise Alberta-ready phrases you can realistically win.
Replicate competitor backlinks with high relevance
We use Backlink Gap and Domain Overview to compare authority, traffic and referring domains.
- Find link prospects already pointing to competitors.
- Target Alberta publications, chambers and local directories first.
- Create outreach that mirrors high-value links while keeping relevancy tight.
We track movement in Search Console to validate which queries gain impressions and clicks. Then we feed wins into internal linking so gains compound over time.
Target SERP features and adapt to AI Overviews
To capture rich results, we craft short, precise answers that search systems can reuse. That helps Calgary and Edmonton pages surface in featured snippets, People Also Ask and the new AI Overviews.
Formatting for featured snippets with concise answers
Featured snippets favour direct, ~40‑word answers. We place a compact definition or step list near the top of the page so the core answer is clear to both humans and machines.
- Insert a 30–50 word answer box above the fold.
- Use clear H2/H3 headings and simple lists for quick parsing.
- Add FAQ blocks with schema to target People Also Ask.
Structuring content to be crawlable, clear, and comprehensive
We keep HTML clean and reduce script blocks that hide key text. That improves indexability for google search and helps AI syntheses pick accurate extracts.
“Make the answer obvious, then expand with local proof and sources.”
Feature | Best format | Why it works |
---|---|---|
Featured snippet | Short answer + list | Directly surfaces the page answer |
People Also Ask | FAQ with schema | Structured Q&A is crawlable |
AI Overview | Comprehensive, cited section | Trustworthy, indexable content favours reuse |
We measure wins by tracking clicks and leads, not just visual placement. Our changes aim to boost user experience and real business results for Alberta sites.
Measure organic traffic trends and diagnose drops
We keep a live pulse on organic performance so dips in traffic are caught fast and acted on.
We baseline clicks, impressions, CTR and average position for priority pages using the Search results report in google search console.
Next, we segment trends by device, Canada region and page type. This helps us spot whether a drop is mobile, local or site‑wide.
We correlate shifts with recent releases, core web vitals regressions or technical incidents. If timing lines up with an algorithm update, we investigate that timeline too.
- Check Manual actions and fix violations before requesting review.
- Compare impacted queries and pages, then align content to intent.
- Inspect crawl errors, indexation changes and internal link regressions.
- Restore speed budgets when INP or LCP drifted after a release.
Every incident gets a documented root cause, fixes and a recovery timeline. We set alerts so dips are caught in hours, not weeks, and we measure results with clean data to prove the recovery.
Why AlbertaRank.ca is different for local SEO audits
Our audits connect technical fixes, content work and local insight into a compact plan that teams can act on.
We use first‑party data and trusted tools to prioritise work that moves the needle. That means indexing, Core Web Vitals, content quality, internal links and backlinks are all tied to clear business outcomes.
Targeted, results-oriented audits without big-agency fluff
We cut the decks and give you a short, ranked roadmap. Each task lists the fix, owner and estimated effort so your team can improve website performance fast. We train your staff with checklists and templates so fixes stick.
Alberta-first focus that drives measurable growth
We know Calgary and Edmonton patterns. Seasonal demand and local queries shape recommendations so priority service and location pages get attention first.
“Clear fixes, clear owners, clear impact — audits should not sit on a shelf.”
What we do | Why it helps | Expected outcome |
---|---|---|
Index & canonical checks | Stops split signals and wasted crawl | Better visibility in local search |
Core Web Vitals & performance | Faster pages, lower drop-off | Improved website performance metrics |
Content & internal links | Match intent and spread relevance | More clicks, calls and leads |
Local link building | Relevant authority for Alberta | Stronger local rankings and results |
We stand behind measurable results. Our audits are action-first, validated with Search Console and other tools, and designed to improve website outcomes you can track — calls, leads and revenue.
Contact AlbertaRank to book your personalised audit
Start with a short discovery and we’ll turn your site data into an executable list of fixes. Book a personalised audit rooted in first‑party Google data and best‑in‑class tools to diagnose and prioritise changes that matter for Calgary and Alberta businesses.
Hours and location
Call us: 403 671 3278 to schedule your tailored alberta seo review.
Visit: AlbertaRank, Calgary, AB T3N 1J5. We serve clients across Alberta.
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm for consults and support.
Follow us on social
Stay current with tips and short how‑tos: Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube, X — we share quick wins and local updates to save you time and effort.
- We prepare a short list of pages to review before kickoff for faster insight.
- We request access to key data (Search Console, Analytics) to accelerate analysis.
- After discovery we deliver a clear timeline, owners, and milestones.
- Fixed‑scope pricing, simple engagement letter, and we start with the highest‑impact fixes.
“We respect your time and handle setup so you can focus on running your business.”
Conclusion
Close the loop by validating fixes and tracking real lifts in clicks, calls and conversions. We focus on the practical work that moves the needle for Calgary and Edmonton businesses.
Our mission is simple: boost local ranking and growth with clear, results‑driven seo work and hands‑on execution. A modern audit covers indexation, mobile readiness, CWV (LCP, INP, CLS), technical crawls, on‑page content, internal links, backlinks, competitor gaps and SERP features.
Make this the next step: prioritise indexation, speed and mobile experience first. Keep tasks small, assign owners, validate in Search Console and measure results. Partner with AlbertaRank and turn audit actions into measurable growth — book your personalised review today.