1. SEO-Driven Design

Ahrefs is a powerful SEO tool, and as someone who integrates SEO into my design work, it’s critical for creating websites that rank well on search engines. By understanding how search engines work, I can make better decisions about:

• Website structure (e.g., navigation, URLs, internal linking)

• Content placement (e.g., where to place headers, CTAs, and keywords)

• Page speed optimisation (important for both SEO and user experience)

I can use Ahrefs to analyse keyword data and adjust layouts or content hierarchy to improve a site's SEO performance.

2. Keyword Research for UX/UI Decisions

Ahrefs’ keyword research features allow me to understand what potential users are searching for. This helps me:

• Tailor content and visuals to address user needs based on popular search queries.

• Design landing pages that target specific keywords or user intent, increasing the chance of conversion.

By knowing the keywords users are searching, I can craft interfaces that resonate with the target audience.

3. Competitor Analysis

Ahrefs allows me to perform in-depth competitor research, which is useful for:

• Benchmarking website design elements against competitors’ high-ranking pages.

• Identifying design trends by analyzing top-performing pages in the industry.

• Understanding backlink profiles to see what kind of content (and by extension, design) is earning attention and being shared.

This helps influence my design choices by understanding which types of content, media, and layouts work well in the industry.

4. Content Gap and Optimisation

Since I also work on content strategy or collaborate with content teams, I can use Ahrefs to identify content gaps—areas where the website lacks the content needed to meet user needs. By spotting these gaps, I can:

• Design landing pages or content hubs that provide value and optimise for search engines.

• Ensure that the layout and design support SEO efforts by making content easy to access, read (readability), copy length, and a limit on industry speak!! Enforcing this with stakeholders takes some lived experiences, always backing it up with hardened data; user feedback from usability testing can often sweeten a room too, accessible copy (no tech speak), and engage with.

5. Backlink Analysis for UX

Backlink analysis in Ahrefs allows me to:

• See which pages are gaining the most backlinks and optimize those pages for better UX, ensuring users stay longer and engage with the content.

• Understand which types of content or designs are performing well based on the number of backlinks and apply these learnings to future projects.

6. Monitoring Website Performance

Since I’m involved in ongoing website projects, I can use Ahrefs to monitor the site’s SEO health post-launch, such as:

• Tracking broken links and designing fixes (404 pages, redirects).

• Monitor organic search traffic and adjust design elements to improve performance.

By leveraging Ahrefs’ insights, I can ensure my work is visually appealing and aligned with the site’s growth and visibility goals.