FAQ: What should I say if a client runs runs a Ninja Cat, SEMRush or similar report?
FAQ: What should I say if a client runs runs a Ninja Cat or similar report?
When customers or sales reps send third-party website audit reports (SEMrush, Lighthouse, W3C, etc.), these often include alarming warnings, red flags, and urgent language that can create unnecessary concern.
To help ensure consistent, accurate responses, please use the appropriate message below based on who submitted the report.
Client-Facing Response
Use this when the audit report is sent directly by a client.
We understand how concerning third-party website audit reports can look. When you see red warnings, exclamation points, and language like “must be fixed immediately,” it can feel like something is seriously wrong—even when your site is actually performing well.
These tools are designed to flag every possible recommendation, not just issues that meaningfully impact your website. As a result, many findings sound urgent but have little real-world effect, especially for small to mid-size business websites.
What we can help with
If a report identifies clear on-page issues like broken links, missing image alt text, or missing title or meta tags, we’re happy to review those and address them when appropriate.
What’s often outside our control
Some flagged items relate to things like off-site SEO signals, social media activity, third-party scripts, or platform-level code. These don’t necessarily indicate a problem and often can’t—or don’t need to—be changed.
The important thing to know is that not every warning requires action. We focus on updates that truly improve user experience, accessibility, and search visibility. If there’s something specific in a report that concerns you, we’re always happy to review it and talk through what actually matters.
Sales-Facing Response
Use this when the audit report is sent by a Sales Representative (SR).
Third-party audit tools (SEMrush, Lighthouse, W3C, etc.) are frequently used during competitive evaluations and often surface long lists of “warnings” designed to look urgent. In many cases, the goal is volume and intimidation rather than real impact.
These reports flag every possible best-practice recommendation—including items that have little or no effect on real-world performance—which is why they’re commonly used as scare tactics by competitors.
What Hibu can address
Clear on-page issues such as broken links, missing alt text, or missing/incorrect title and meta tags should be shared with our team for review and resolution where applicable.
What Hibu cannot control
Items related to off-page SEO signals, social presence, external scripts, platform-level code structure (including some heading hierarchy warnings), and third-party performance scoring factors are typically outside our direct control and are often low-impact.
Key takeaway
Not every flagged item requires action. Modern search engines and browsers tolerate minor warnings, especially on SMB websites. Our focus is on fixes that materially improve usability, accessibility, and search visibility—not chasing automated scores.