Which audit tier should I choose?
The featured-snippet answer, in plain language.
The Basic audit (26 to 32 points depending on the audit type) is the right call for smaller sites, first-time audits, and well-defined foundational fixes. The Full audit (46 points) adds backlinks, deeper competitor analysis, and AI search readiness; choose it when off-site authority is a bottleneck, when you compete in a contested niche, or when the audit informs a larger investment decision.
What's different between the two tiers
The foundations are identical in both tiers. The Full adds off-site authority, deeper competitor work, and AI search readiness.
| Basic | Full | |
|---|---|---|
| Check count (Website audit) | 26 points | 46 points |
| Check count (SaaS or E-commerce audit) | 32 points | 46 points |
| Sections (Website) | 1 to 5 | All 7 |
| Sections (SaaS or E-commerce) | 1 to 7 | All 10 |
| Technical SEO foundations | Full | Full |
| On-page SEO | Full | Full |
| Content review | Yes | Yes (with deeper topical authority mapping) |
| Conversion UX | Yes | Yes |
| Competitor positioning | Top 3 competitors, lightweight benchmark | Top 5 competitors, content + link-gap analysis |
| Backlink and authority analysis | Not included | Included |
| AI search readiness | Not included | Included |
| Delivery (Website) | 3 to 5 business days | 5 to 7 business days |
| Delivery (SaaS / E-commerce) | 5 business days | 7 to 8 business days |
| Price (Website audit) | $297 | $597 |
| Price (SaaS or E-commerce audit) | $297 | $597 |
When the Basic tier is the right call
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01
The site is under 100 pages and the structural problems are likely in the foundations, not in off-site signals.
-
02
You are first-time auditing the site and want a clear baseline before any larger investment.
-
03
Budget is the binding constraint; you would rather act on a clear Basic audit than wait six months for a Full one.
-
04
You are pre-launch or early-stage and there is not enough off-site signal to make a Full audit's authority section meaningful.
-
05
You are diagnosing a specific question (e.g., why pricing page is not ranking) where the answer almost certainly sits in the foundations.
When the Full tier is the right call
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01
Off-site authority is the suspected bottleneck; competitors with similar on-page work outrank you, suggesting the link profile is the gap.
-
02
You are competing in a contested niche (SaaS verticals, established e-commerce categories) where ranking requires authority depth.
-
03
You are preparing a major investment decision (fundraise, replatform, agency engagement) and need defensible competitor and gap analysis.
-
04
You want the AI search readiness review because LLM citation is becoming part of your buyer journey.
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05
The site is established (1 to 2 years old, 100+ pages) and the marginal value of the Full sections is high.
Can I start with Basic and upgrade to Full?
Yes. The Basic audit findings carry forward; the upgrade fee is the price difference plus a small re-scoping fee (typically $50 to $100 depending on how much has changed since the Basic was delivered). The upgrade adds the off-site, competitor-depth, and AI-readiness sections that the Basic does not cover.
The clean rule: start with Basic if you genuinely cannot decide. The upgrade option exists, and there is no penalty for taking the smaller step first.
Common questions when deciding
Will the Basic audit identify if I need the Full?
Yes. The Basic audit ends with a brief note on whether the Full audit's additional sections are likely to surface high-leverage findings for your specific site. There is no upsell pressure; the recommendation is honest.
What's the time difference between Basic and Full?
The Full audit takes roughly 2 extra business days because the authority and AI sections involve external tooling that takes time to gather data from.
Can I get just the backlink section without the rest of the Full audit?
No; the Full audit is sold as a complete package because the backlink section is meaningful only when read alongside the foundations findings. A standalone backlink audit would be a different (and shorter) product, which Illucrum does not currently offer.
Are the deliverables the same format?
Yes. Both tiers ship as a written PDF report with scored findings, prioritised fixes, and an action plan. The Full version additionally includes a link-gap appendix.
See the full pricing page for all audits and tiers.
Still on the fence?
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