I’ve run countless audits for clients who thought their site was fine, only to discover a laundry list of issues lurking under the surface. These problems aren’t just technical—they present genuine business risks. In this post, I’ll break down the seven most common issues I find during WordPress audits and explain why they matter, how to spot them, and what you can do to fix them for good.
1. Outdated Core, Themes, and Plugins
What’s the issue?
WordPress, like any software, needs regular updates. But most sites I audit are running outdated versions of WordPress core, themes, or plugins—often all three.
Why it matters:
Updates aren’t just about new features; they’re critical for security. Vulnerabilities in old versions are a hacker’s dream, and plugin developers stop supporting outdated releases quickly.
How to spot it:
Check your WordPress dashboard. If you see update notifications, you’re behind.
What to do:
Update core, themes, and plugins regularly. But always back up your site first—sometimes updates can break compatibility with custom features or older plugins. If you’re unsure, get professional support to review your setup before you click “Update All.”
2. Poor Website Performance (Slow Load Times)
What’s the issue?
A slow website doesn’t just annoy your visitors—it tanks your SEO, increases bounce rates, and costs you sales. Most performance issues come from:
- Oversized images
- Bloated themes with unnecessary features
- Too many plugins
- Poor hosting choices
Why it matters:
People (and Google) expect fast sites. If your homepage takes longer than three seconds to load, most users will leave before they see your content.
How to spot it:
Use free tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix. Look for “red” scores, slow “Time to First Byte (TTFB),” or waterfall charts that show resources loading one after another.
What to do:
Compress images, streamline your plugins, and consider switching to a more performance-focused host. Sometimes, minor optimisations can make all the difference.
3. Security Gaps
What’s the issue?
WordPress is a big target for hackers because of its popularity. Security holes show up in a lot of audits—weak passwords, unused admin accounts, missing SSL certificates, and plugins with known vulnerabilities.
Why it matters:
A single breach can mean lost data, lost trust, and a big clean-up bill. Even if you’re a small business, you’re not “too small to hack.”
How to spot it:
Check for warning signs:
- Is your admin login page still at
/wp-admin? - Do you have users with “admin” as their username?
- Is your site missing the padlock (HTTPS) in browsers?
- Are there plugins or themes you don’t use anymore?
What to do:
Enforce strong passwords, use two-factor authentication, delete unused accounts, install a security plugin, and always use HTTPS.
4. Broken Links and Redirects
What’s the issue?
As your site grows and changes, pages get deleted, URLs change, and content moves. But those old links stick around—on your site, in Google’s index, and on other sites.
Why it matters:
Broken links hurt user experience, damage your SEO, and can lead to lost leads or sales.
How to spot it:
Use tools like Broken Link Checker or an external audit tool. Check your Google Search Console for 404 errors.
What to do:
Fix or redirect broken links using a plugin or your .htaccess file. Set up proper 301 redirects for any important pages you’ve moved. Professionals can automate and future-proof this process.
5. SEO Blind Spots
What’s the issue?
WordPress is great for SEO—but only if it’s set up right. Most audits reveal one or more of the following:
- Missing or duplicate meta titles/descriptions
- No XML sitemap or
robots.txt - Unoptimized permalinks (e.g., “
?p=123” instead of “/services/”) - Lack of structured data/schema
- No alt text on images
Why it matters:
SEO isn’t just for big brands. If your site isn’t set up for search engines, you’re invisible to the customers looking for you.
How to spot it:
Use plugins like SEOPress or Rank Math to review your SEO basics. Google Search Console will also show you critical issues.
What to do:
Set up proper SEO plugins, create unique titles and descriptions, use descriptive permalinks, and always add alt text. A consultant can create an SEO roadmap tailored to your business.
6. Poor Mobile Experience
What’s the issue?
More than half of all web traffic comes from mobile devices, but many WordPress sites still aren’t fully responsive. Common issues include:
- Templates that look great on desktop but break on mobile
- Text and buttons that are too small to tap
- Pop-ups and sliders that block the whole screen
Why it matters:
Google prioritizes mobile-friendly sites in its search results. More importantly, your visitors will leave if they can’t use your site easily on their phones.
How to spot it:
Test your site on your own phone (and ask friends or colleagues to do the same.). Use Sitechecker’s Mobile-Friendly Test for a quick scan.
What to do:
Use a truly responsive theme, avoid fixed-width elements, and test every new page on multiple devices. Web development pros can help retrofit an existing site or build a new one that shines everywhere.
7. Weak Content Structure and Calls to Action
What’s the issue?
Great design only matters if your content works. Many audits reveal confusing navigation, missing calls to action, or walls of text with no clear purpose.
Why it matters:
A site that doesn’t guide users will lose them. If your visitors don’t know what you offer, why you’re different, or how to get in touch, they’ll bounce.
How to spot it:
- Are your menus cluttered or unclear?
- Do pages have clear, single-purpose headlines?
- Are calls to action (buttons, forms, links) easy to find?
What to do:
Audit your content flow. Simplify navigation. Make sure every page has one primary action. Web consulting is invaluable for mapping user journeys and optimizing conversion paths.
Why Regular Audits Matter
You might think, “We fixed most of this during our last redesign.” But the truth is, websites are living things—plugins get outdated, content drifts, SEO rules change, and new risks appear all the time. A one-time audit is helpful; a regular audit is transformative.
A professional WordPress audit isn’t just about ticking boxes. It’s about finding the hidden issues that sap your site’s performance, threaten your security, or block your growth. And the earlier you catch them, the cheaper and easier they are to fix.
Conclusion: Don’t Wait Until It Breaks
If you haven’t had a professional look at your WordPress site in the last year, now is the time. These seven issues are the most common—not the only ones. Think of an audit as a health check for your digital business: a small investment that can prevent massive headaches, lost sales, and late-night emergencies down the road.
Curious about what’s lurking under your site’s hood? Book a WordPress audit or consultation today. If you need help turning audit results into real improvements, my professional web development support is just a click away.
Your website is too important to leave to chance—give it the ♥️ and attention it deserves, and it will pay you back every single day.
