1gpa.org

If you're new to Ahrefs and want to run your first SEO audit, the fastest path is: open Site Explorer, enter your target URL, review the Overview for a health snapshot, then dig into Organic Keywords, Top Pages, and Site Audit to find specific problems. From there, build a short prioritized to-do list instead of trying to fix everything at once.

This tutorial walks through that workflow using a realistic starting scenario, explains what the numbers mean, and shows how to turn findings into actions.

Before You Start: Pick a Narrow Scope

A common beginner mistake is auditing an entire large website on day one. The reports become overwhelming, and you can't tell which issues matter.

Instead, choose one of these starting points:

• A single important page (your homepage or a key product/service page)
• A small site (under ~50 pages, e.g., a personal blog or small business site)
• One section of a bigger site (e.g., /blog/)

For this tutorial, assume you're auditing a small business site with about 30 pages. The same steps scale up later.

You'll need an Ahrefs account to follow along. Ahrefs offers paid plans, and pricing and feature limits change over time, so check the current Pricing page for what's included in each tier before committing.

Step 1: Enter Your Target in Site Explorer

Site Explorer is Ahrefs' core tool for analyzing any website or URL.

1. Open Site Explorer from the top navigation.
2. In the search box, paste your domain (e.g., example.com).
3. Choose the Exact URL or Domain mode depending on scope. For a full-site view, use Domain or Prefix; for a single page, use Exact URL.
4. Press Enter.

You'll land on the Overview report. Don't try to absorb everything — focus on four numbers first.

Reading the Overview Snapshot

Important caveat: Ahrefs' traffic and keyword numbers are estimates based on its own data. They won't match Google Search Console or your analytics exactly. Treat them as directional, not absolute.

Step 2: See What You Already Rank For

Go to Organic Keywords in the left sidebar. This shows queries where your site appears in search results.

Sort by Traffic (descending) to see which pages bring the most estimated visitors. Then look for:

• Keywords ranking in positions 4–15 — these are often the easiest wins. A small content or on-page improvement can push them onto page one.
• Keywords with high volume but low position — potential opportunities if the topic is relevant.
• Irrelevant keywords — if you rank for something off-topic, it may signal thin or mismatched content.

Write down 5–10 of the position 4–15 keywords. These become your first optimization targets.

Step 3: Find Your Best and Weakest Pages

Open Top Pages. This ranks your URLs by estimated organic traffic.

Look for two things:

1. Your top performers — understand what topics and formats work. Can you create more content like this?
2. Pages with traffic but poor rankings — these may need on-page fixes (title, headings, internal links).

If a page gets zero traffic and targets a topic you care about, it's a candidate for a rewrite or consolidation.

Step 4: Run a Technical Site Audit

Now move to Site Audit. This crawls your site and flags technical and on-page issues.

1. Click Site Audit → New project.
2. Enter your domain and set crawl settings (default is usually fine for a small site).
3. Start the crawl and wait for it to finish.

Once complete, you'll see a Health Score and a list of issues grouped by category.

Which Issues to Fix First

Not all issues are equal. Prioritize in this order:

Ignore low-impact warnings (like minor meta description length) until the big items are handled.

Step 5: Turn Findings Into a To-Do List

You now have raw data. Convert it into a short, actionable list. Example:

1. Fix 3 broken links found in Site Audit.
2. Rewrite title tags on 5 pages with duplicate titles.
3. Improve 4 pages ranking in positions 6–12 by adding missing subtopics and internal links.
4. Remove or update 2 thin pages with no traffic.

Keep the list to 5–10 items max for your first audit. Finishing a short list beats starting a long one.

Common Beginner Mistakes

• Chasing every red flag. Site Audit flags many minor issues. Fix what affects rankings and users first.
• Trusting estimates as exact numbers. Ahrefs data is modeled, not measured from your analytics.
• Auditing a huge site too early. Start small to learn the interface.
• Ignoring search intent. A page can be technically perfect but still fail if it doesn't match what searchers want.
• Forgetting to re-crawl. After fixes, run Site Audit again to confirm improvements.

Where to Go Next

Once your first audit is done:

• Compare with competitors using Site Explorer's Competing Domains and Content Gap reports.
• Track keyword rankings over time with Rank Tracker.
• Explore backlink opportunities in the Backlinks and Link Intersect reports.
• Set up recurring Site Audit crawls so new issues surface automatically.

Your first audit isn't about perfection — it's about building a repeatable habit: enter a target, read the key reports, pick the highest-impact fixes, and act. Do that once a month and your site's health compounds.

1GPA (1Government Procurement Alliance) is a nonprofit national governmental purchasing cooperative. It lets public agencies buy goods through existing, already-awarded public contracts instead of running their own solicitation, with the stated aim of getting the most competitive prices. It is open to K12 school districts, higher education institutions, state and local agencies, nonprofit organizations, and Native American communities.

How cooperative purchasing through 1GPA works

A purchasing cooperative aggregates demand. One agency (or the cooperative itself) runs a competitive solicitation, awards a contract, and then other eligible agencies can "piggyback" on that contract to make their own purchases. That is the mechanism 1GPA describes: public agencies "take advantage of existing public contracts to purchase the goods they need."

The practical effect is that a member agency can skip the time and cost of a full solicitation for covered goods, while still buying under a competitively awarded contract.

Who can use 1GPA

According to 1GPA, it currently serves:

• K12 school districts
• Higher education institutions
• State and local agencies
• Nonprofit organizations
• Native American communities

If your organization falls outside these categories, the site does not indicate that you are eligible to purchase through its contracts.

What you can do on the site

The homepage also includes a vendor search and a "How to Make a Purchase Through 1GPA" walkthrough.

Making a purchase: the general path

1. Confirm your organization is an eligible member type (see list above).
2. Sign up or log in to the member portal.
3. Search current contracts/vendors for the goods you need.
4. Verify the contract covers your use and check its expiration — 1GPA notes contract expiration details are in the contract itself.
5. For due diligence, the contract page links to the Contract Due Diligence File, Original Vendor Response, Current Pricing, Contract Extensions, and Vendor Point of Contact details.
6. Follow the contract's ordering process with the vendor.

Common sticking points

• Contract expiration. 1GPA explicitly says to see the contract for expiration details, so confirm the contract is still active before you rely on it.
• Portal access. If you have trouble with the Member Portal, 1GPA directs users to contact Michelle Aiken for assistance.
• Compliance. 1GPA publishes a page on compliance with 2 CFR Part 200, which matters for entities using federal funds. Check it against your own funding rules.
• State rules. Purchasing cooperatives are governed by state statutes; 1GPA hosts a State Statutes page so you can check your state's position.

Vendor vs. member

These are two different roles. Vendors register to be considered for contracts; members (the eligible agencies above) use the portal to buy through awarded contracts. If you are a supplier, start with Vendor Registration. If you are a public agency or eligible nonprofit, start with Portal Sign Up.

For direct questions, 1GPA lists 866.306.3893 and 1910 W. Washington St. Phoenix, AZ 85009.

1GPA (1Government Procurement Alliance) is a nonprofit national governmental purchasing cooperative that lets public agencies buy goods through existing competitively awarded public contracts, and lets vendors register to compete for those contracts. You should consider joining as a member (buyer) if you are a K12 school district, higher education institution, state or local agency, nonprofit organization, or Native American community that wants access to already-awarded contracts. You should consider vendor registration if you sell goods or services and want to be listed and notified about solicitations. Both paths start from the same site: 1gpa.org.

What 1GPA Actually Is

1GPA describes itself as a nonprofit national governmental purchasing cooperative. Its stated purpose is to help public agencies "take advantage of existing public contracts to purchase the goods they need, at the most competitive prices." The site frames the value as collective purchasing power combined with professionalism, efficiency, and dedicated service.

The homepage lists the audiences it currently serves:

• K12 school districts
• Higher education
• State and local agencies
• Nonprofit organizations
• Native American communities

If your organization falls outside these categories, the site does not indicate that you qualify, so treat eligibility as something to confirm with 1GPA directly rather than assume.

Member vs. Vendor: Which Path Fits You

These are two different relationships with the same cooperative. The table below maps the decision.

The site presents the relationship as "Competitive, Compliant, Collaborative," which signals that both sides are expected to operate within a formal procurement framework rather than an open marketplace.

How to Make a Purchase Through 1GPA (Member Side)

The homepage includes a section titled "How to Make a Purchase Through 1GPA," which confirms purchasing is a defined process rather than a direct checkout. Based on the available site structure, the practical steps are:

1. Confirm your organization is eligible — check that you fit one of the served categories above.
2. Join 1GPA using the "Join 1GPA" entry, or sign up for the Member Portal if you already have an account.
3. Search for vendors using the vendor search on the homepage to find awarded suppliers relevant to what you need.
4. Review the contract details — each contract links to a Contract Due Diligence File, the original vendor response, current pricing, contract extensions, and vendor point-of-contact details.
5. Check the contract expiration — the site notes expiration is "See contract for details," so verify current terms before relying on a contract.
6. Proceed with the purchase under the awarded contract terms.

The important mechanic here: 1GPA does not sell goods itself. It gives you access to contracts that were already competitively awarded, so your purchase rides on that existing competition. That is the basis for the "compliant" claim and the reason the site highlights 2 CFR Part 200 compliance.

How to Register as a Vendor

If you are a supplier, the path is:

1. Go to Vendor Registration from the main navigation or footer.
2. Complete the registration so your firm appears in the vendor search and contract listings.
3. Join the mailing list to receive newly awarded contracts and solicitation notices.
4. Watch the Solicitations and Newly Awarded Contracts sections to find opportunities you can bid on.
5. When awarded, expect your contract to be published with pricing and point-of-contact details visible to members.

The site also features a "Featured Vendor" area, which suggests vendors can gain visibility beyond a plain listing.

What to Check Before You Commit

• Eligibility: The served categories are specific. Confirm yours before investing time in registration.
• Contract currency: Pricing and expiration live inside each contract file, not on the homepage. Always open the Contract Due Diligence File.
• Compliance fit: If your agency must satisfy 2 CFR Part 200, review the dedicated compliance page rather than assuming any cooperative contract qualifies.
• State statutes: 1GPA publishes a State Statutes section, which matters because cooperative purchasing rules vary by state.
• Access issues: The site directs portal access problems to a named contact (Michelle Aiken) rather than a self-service reset, so plan for a manual step if you get locked out.

A Practical Way to Decide

If you are a buyer, the deciding question is whether your agency can and wants to use cooperative contracts — if yes, joining gives you pre-competed pricing without running your own solicitation. If you are a vendor, the deciding question is whether the contracts 1GPA awards cover what you sell; if they do, registration and mailing-list signup are low-cost ways to stay in front of public buyers.

For either path, start at 1gpa.org, use the Join 1GPA or Vendor Registration entry, and verify the specific contract or solicitation details before acting.

Public agencies make a purchase through 1GPA by using an already-awarded public contract instead of running their own solicitation. 1GPA (1Government Procurement Alliance) is a nonprofit national governmental purchasing cooperative that lets public agencies "take advantage of existing public contracts to purchase the goods they need, at the most competitive prices." This route fits K12 school districts, higher education institutions, state and local agencies, nonprofit organizations, and Native American communities — the member groups 1GPA states it currently serves. If your agency falls outside those categories, confirm eligibility with 1GPA before relying on this process.

Who this process is for

1GPA lists its served members as:

• K12 school districts
• Higher education institutions
• State and local agencies
• Nonprofit organizations
• Native American communities

The core idea is collective purchasing power: your agency buys against a contract 1GPA has already awarded, rather than issuing and evaluating its own bid.

Step-by-step: making a purchase

1. Confirm the contract you need exists

Go to the Current Contracts/Vendors section of 1gpa.org and search for vendors or the goods you need. 1GPA also highlights Newly Awarded Contracts and a Featured Vendor, which can be a starting point if you are unsure where your category sits.

2. Access the member portal

The site provides Portal Log In and Portal Sign Up options. If your agency is not yet registered, use Portal Sign Up or Join 1GPA to begin. If you already have access, log in to proceed. Note that the site does not state that portal access is free or open without registration — treat sign-up as a required step unless 1GPA tells you otherwise.

3. Review the contract details before committing

For a given contract, 1GPA points you to a due diligence file. The Contract link gives access to:

• The Contract Due Diligence File
• The Original Vendor Response
• Current Pricing
• Contract Extensions
• Vendor Point of Contact Details

Check the Contract Expiration date as well — the site notes to "see contract for details," so confirm the current term rather than assuming it is open-ended.

4. Follow the "How to Make a Purchase Through 1GPA" guidance

The homepage includes a dedicated section titled How to Make a Purchase Through 1GPA. Use it as the authoritative walkthrough for the actual purchase mechanics, since the exact steps depend on the specific contract and vendor.

5. Contact the vendor point of contact

Each contract lists a Vendor Point of Contact. Use those details to place or coordinate the order under the awarded contract.

Verifying you are compliant

1GPA maintains a Compliance with 2 CFR Part 200 page. If your agency receives federal funding and must follow Uniform Guidance procurement rules, review that page before purchasing to confirm the cooperative route satisfies your requirements. State-specific rules may also apply — 1GPA publishes a State Statutes section for this reason.

Common sticking points

• Portal access problems: If you cannot reach the Member Portal or have questions, 1GPA directs you to contact Michelle Aiken at the email listed on the site.
• Expired or extended contracts: Always check the expiration and any extensions in the contract file; do not assume a listed contract is still current.
• Eligibility questions: If your organization type is not among the served groups, verify with 1GPA first.
• Pricing: Current pricing lives inside the contract file. The site does not publish standalone pricing, so pull it from the contract rather than estimating.

Where to go next

• Current Contracts/Vendors — find and search contracts
• Solicitations — open opportunities
• State Statutes and Compliance with 2 CFR Part 200 — confirm your agency can use the contract
• FAQ and Contact — resolve access or eligibility questions

For direct help, 1GPA lists the phone number 866.306.3893 and the address 1910 W. Washington St. Phoenix, AZ 85009.

1GPA lists its current contracts, vendors, and open solicitations on its own website at 1gpa.org. The main navigation includes Current Contracts/Vendors and Solicitations, and the homepage adds a vendor search plus Newly Awarded Contracts and Featured Vendor sections. Use these pages if you are a public agency, school district, higher education institution, nonprofit, or Native American community checking what is already awarded or what is out for bid. If you need contract-level detail such as expiration, pricing, or a vendor point of contact, go through the individual contract page rather than the homepage.

Main navigation entry points

The site menu is the fastest route to each type of information:

The homepage also carries a Search for vendors field, which is useful when you already know the vendor or category you want and do not want to browse the full contract list.

Finding current contracts and vendor details

The Current Contracts/Vendors page is the central directory. Each contract entry links to a due diligence package that the site describes as containing:

• The Contract Due Diligence File
• The Original Vendor Response
• Current Pricing
• Contract Extensions
• Vendor Point of Contact Details

Contract expiration is shown alongside the contract, with a note to see the contract itself for details. That means the listing page gives you the summary and the contract page gives you the binding specifics — check both before relying on a price or an end date.

Checking newly awarded contracts and featured vendors

Two homepage sections surface recent activity:

• Newly Awarded Contracts — the most recent awards, useful for seeing which vendors have just been added.
• Featured Vendor — a highlighted vendor, useful as a starting point but not a complete list.

Treat both as highlights, not as the full catalog. For a complete view, use Current Contracts/Vendors.

Finding solicitations

Open opportunities live under Solicitations in the main menu. This is where you look if you are a vendor wanting to respond to a bid, rather than an agency wanting to buy off an existing contract. Vendor-side participation also runs through Vendor Registration and Join 1GPA, both linked from the menu and footer.

If you cannot get in

The site provides a Member Portal with log in and sign up options. If you have trouble accessing the Member Portal or have questions, the published contact is Michelle Aiken, reachable at the email address listed on the site. General contact details are also published: 866.306.3893 and 1910 W. Washington St. Phoenix, AZ 85009.

Quick path by role

• Agency ready to buy: Current Contracts/Vendors → pick the contract → open the contract page for pricing and vendor contact.
• Vendor looking for opportunities: Solicitations → Vendor Registration.
• New visitor checking fit: About Us and the homepage member list (K12 school districts, higher education, state and local agencies, nonprofit organizations, Native American communities).