SEO Tools You Should Know About
May 15, 2018
Even the novice search engine optimization user needs to know about the tools of the trade. With Google cracking down on several SEO practices due to their inability to convey authentic and genuine information, it’s become more important than ever before to use reliable methods of keyword research and linking in your website.
If you can’t afford to hire an SEO expert or assistant to manage your search engine ranking specifics, these tools can be of great use to you or your business. Check out the top 6 tools used by SEO experts in 2018.
1. SEMrush: This is an excellent resource for newbies to SEO management, especially if you’re working with a DIY attitude and budget. The SEMrush tool includes a variety of features which allow website owners to complete just about any search engine optimization tactic in a one-stop-shop kind of situation. Users are offered over 20 different ways to check up on the competition, including keywords and backlinks. SEMrush also provides insight on Google Ads and Pay Per Click platforms, something you may not have been familiar with in the past without the help of an SEO management service.
SEMrush offers plenty of advantages to the novice SEO-er, unfortunately, it’s not the most user-friendly application. One of the complaints read in online reviews for SEMrush, is that it can be a bit complicated to maneuver through, with some users finding it down right confusing. If you’re not tech savvy, this one might not be for you, but if you have some online know-how, or you’re willing to learn, it could save you time and money in the end.
2. Open Site Explorer: Links are a crucial part of search engine optimization, so Open Site Explorer is an excellent tool to use if you’re working toward the top ranking in your industry. This tool combines link analysis with Moz Pro, helping users to build links, repair damaged links, and basically making otherwise complex scenarios seem easy.
Open Site Explorer is said to be more user friendly than some competitor platforms of the same game. It provides an easy stepping stone to the search engine optimization game, for newcomers and experts alike.
3. Ahrefs: It sounds like some old school coding, but Ahrefs is actually a super advanced SEO platform that combines a variety of tools into one place. It offers help in the areas of keywords, content, social media shares, and backlinks, and is specifically outfitted with the business user in mind. Trying to increase ranking for a company website but unsure where to start? Ahrefs is the place to be, even going so far as to provide tracking and chart tools so you can follow your progress as you use the tool to boost your ranking.This tool is considered fairly user friendly but is costlier than others. If SEO is something your business is becoming serious about, Ahrefs is a good place to begin. If you don’t have the budget for a high-grade setup like Ahrefs, however, there are some cheap and even free tools you can use instead.
4. Raven Tools: You know about keywords, backlinks, and the like, but you can’t figure out what’s wrong with your site and why you can’t seem to outrank your competitors. This is where Raven Tools comes in handy. This SEO aid provides an auditing service which will seek out problems with your website layout and content and report back to you. Unlike other SEO tools which help you decide what you need to add to your site, this one actually shows you what to get rid of, or what needs to be fixed.Reviews of Raven Tools are mostly positive, with many users praising the service for its ability to pinpoint errors which otherwise went amiss. Whether it’s as user friendly as some others is yet to be seen, but it’s definitely a powerful tool in your SEO tool-belt, especially if you’re taking a DIY approach to your website.
5. SEOQuake: A toolbar extension used to checkout various parameters of a search engine at one time, SEOQuake is an SEO DIYs dream. Use this tool to check out stats on your users, including where they’re located and how much traffic is coming to your site each day. You get a toolbar complete with buttons for a SEMRush ranking, social media share counter, and more. The only downside of this tool seems to be that it’s not made with the novice in mind. Using high-end jargon and tech savvy applications, newcomers without experience with SEO might find this tool difficult to use and complex in its instruction.
6. Google Optimize: Another complex tool is Google Optimize, offering users site testing abilities without the high price tag that often comes with this type of service. While Google Optimize is free, it is considered anything but easy, with many users complaining that it’s too complex for the novice and even a little daunting for SEO experts. You can learn a lot with this tool if you’re willing to learn how it works, but it could take a bit to decipher the complicated inner workings. Once you’ve got it down, however, you can save yourself big money, and implement some high-quality SEO services without help from external sources.
If you’re interested in SEO, but unsure about hiring a third party to help with your ranking efforts, there are a variety of paid and free tools out there to get you started. Begin with the easier ones and work your way up. Search engine optimization is fast becoming a staple in the tech industry, so if you have a website, or work through an ecommerce platform, this could be a game changer.