Digital Presence Audit: 25-Point Checklist for Exporters

Before replying to your email or visiting your stall, most international buyers search for your company online. What they find shapes their first impression — often before you know they exist. This 25-point audit helps you see your digital presence the way a buyer does, and fix what's costing you enquiries.

Start by Searching Yourself

Search your company name, your main products with "manufacturer", and your products with your city or country. Do it from an incognito browser window, and look at the results as a buyer would. What do you see? What is missing?

Website (1–10)

1. Clear first impression: does the home page say what you make and for whom within seconds?
2. Real photos: products, factory, and team — no stock images?
3. Product pages: specifications, options, and certifications for each product or category?
4. About page: history, facilities, and people?
5. Capabilities: capacity, equipment, and quality control explained?
6. Certifications: listed with details buyers can verify?
7. Contact options: form, business email, phone, messaging, and address?
8. Speed: does the site load quickly on mobile?
9. Mobile-friendly: easy to read and navigate on a phone?
10. Security and currency: HTTPS enabled, up-to-date content, no broken links?

See export website that wins buyers.

Search Visibility (11–15)

1. Brand search: does your website appear first when someone searches your company name?
2. Product searches: do you appear for "[product] manufacturer" or similar terms?
3. Page titles and descriptions: unique and descriptive for key pages?
4. Google Search Console: set up and checked regularly?
5. Business profile: Google Business Profile accurate and complete?

See SEO for exporters.

Content (16–17)

1. Helpful content: do you have articles, guides, or case studies that answer buyer questions?
2. Downloadable catalogue: is a current catalogue available? See creating a product catalog for export.

Social and Third-Party Profiles (18–21)

1. LinkedIn company page: complete, branded, and active?
2. Key people's LinkedIn profiles: professional and consistent with the company?
3. B2B marketplace profiles: complete and consistent with your website?
4. Directory and association listings: accurate company details everywhere?

Communication (22–25)

1. Business email: do you use an email address on your own domain?
2. Email signature: professional, with name, role, company, phone, and website?
3. Response time: are website enquiries answered within one working day?
4. Enquiry tracking: do you record where enquiries come from and what happens to them?

Scoring and Priorities

Mark each point as done, partly done, or missing. Then prioritise:

1. Fix credibility killers first: broken contact forms, free email addresses, outdated content, and missing product information.
2. Then improve visibility: search basics, LinkedIn, and consistent profiles.
3. Then build strength: content, case studies, and ongoing SEO.

Repeat Regularly

Run the audit every six months. Digital presence decays — links break, products change, certificates expire. Regular reviews keep your first impression strong.

Getting Help

If the audit reveals more gaps than you can fix internally, consider working with specialists. Hexaco Global helps exporters build websites, search visibility, and branding that international buyers trust — see our seller services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a digital presence audit?

It is a structured review of how your company appears online — website, search results, social profiles, directories, and communication — from the perspective of potential buyers.

How often should exporters audit their digital presence?

Every six months is a good rhythm, and whenever you launch new products, enter new markets, or update your branding.

What is the most common digital mistake exporters make?

Common issues include outdated websites, missing product information, free email addresses, and slow responses to online enquiries.