Reaching the top of the search results using digital marketing strategies requires a lot of effort. This is where SEO tools help. Even if you understand how keyword research and search engines work, it is not so simple to push your website rank to page one let alone in the top 3. There are a lot of things that any professional marketer requires to research, compare, devise, and then implement a certain strategy.
What I have done is create a list of the most effective SEO tools that have helped me build successful SEO strategies in the past. It does not mean that these will give you the desired results within days but these tools will definitely guide you in the right direction.
Table of Contents
1) Ahrefs - The Ultimate Keyword Tool
It is simply one of the best tools for SEO and content marketing. Since both of them go hand in hand, you need this tool on your side to achieve your marketing aspirations. There are several features of Ahrefs that I really like. Two of them are:
Site Explorer: It is promoted as the best backlink checker and rightly so. It provides a detailed backlink profile of any website. Whether you want to learn about your website or your competitor’s, this tool does it all.
Position Tracker: Search engine optimization is all about improving the ranking of your keywords on SERPs. But before that, you must learn about the right keywords for your websites and which ones to target more effectively. For that, Ahrefs’ position tracker tool is very helpful. And the best part, it even tells you the rank of your page on mobile devices.
2) Google Analytics - Statistical Gospel
If you go online and search for SEO tools, you will find hundreds of them. Most good tools are paid which leaves you facing the chicken and egg problem. But it does not have to be this way.
Google Analytics is a free tool that is one of the most popular digital analytics tools in the world right now.
Once you understand how to use this tool, you will not require any other analytical tool. It is just that great. I personally have been using it for my websites for a long time. And I say this from personal experience that it is one tool you must have in your arsenal.
3) Screaming Frog - King of the SEO Animal Kingdom
A plethora of choices are available online, but most marketers prefer Screaming Frog because it probably has the best website crawling software. Essentially, the spider crawls the website to gather information in a way that search engine crawlers do. These include metadata, categories, URL, text content, and a lot more.
It is my go-to software for a site audit. I get all the required information using Screaming Frog’s SEO Spider. It follows exactly the same process as the Google bot crawlers. A crawl setup includes robots.txt errors, link errors, server errors, page title problems, redirects, internal links, external links, link rankings, response times, missing metadata, anchor text, canonicalization of URLs, etc. The results help you analyze the website and see where you are going wrong. Simply put, it helps you improve your website and develop a better SEO strategy.
4) Google Search Console - A Marketer’s Necessity
The good thing about using software from Google is that you can be sure it is on point. Also, Google Search Console is one of the best free SEO tools available online. Your website’s search metrics are very insightful. Use this tool to learn about keyword performance, links, indexing, speed, etc.
The first step is to verify the website and submit your sitemap for indexing. Search Console can help you understand how Google and its users view your website and assist you to adjust for better performance in Google search results. It's particularly important for new websites because it allows website owners to submit web pages for indexing.
5) Canva - A Creator’s Dream
An incredibly basic online graphic design website, Canva is one of the most accessible tools to utilize as a business. Amazing templates, design components, typefaces, and a big library of imagery are all available in Canva.
The best part about this tool is that it is fairly simple to use. So, if you don't have Photoshop or the ability to utilize it, do not be disheartened. Canva has you covered. It has amazing templates for all types of content. Trust me, as an SEO marketer having such an effective tool is a valuable asset.
6) Rank Math - Plugin for Every Marketer
To optimize your WordPress website effectively, you need certain plugins. Yoast is one of the most popular choices that a lot of marketers prefer. But that does not mean it is the only option you have. There are several other plugins that you can use. Rank Math is one of them.
If you compare the free versions, Rank Math offers a lot more than Yoast. Its free features include social media descriptions, SEO meta titles and descriptions, XML sitemap, focus keyword analysis, schema, Image SEO, local SEO, knowledge graph, Google analytics, basic Woocommerce SEO, 404 monitor, etc.
With its strong and simple-to-use features, Rank Math gives you a competitive advantage. IN other words, Rank Math helps take your SEO game to the next level, whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro.
7) Google Data Studio - Report Making Essential
Google created this tool to deliver thorough reports on one's existing data. To create a personalized and efficient report, you may connect Google Data Studio to Google Adwords, Google Analytics, YouTube, and a slew of other applications. It also aids in the addition of features such as texts, graphics, and filters to make the report more interesting.
Every marketing professional understands the importance of reports. Precisely why this software must be in your arsenal.
Final Words
Nowadays, there are so many SEO tools on the market that it's easy for consumers to feel overwhelmed. Even while some of the best instruments are costly, this is not always the case. Some of these tools (particularly Google's services) are, as you can see, free. As a result, choose the most appropriate tool with respect to your goals, requirements, and budget.
Author Bio
Pamala Brown has been writing about business and marketing for quite sometime now. Keeping up with marketing trends, algorithm updates, and growing her knowledge in an evolving industry is a dream come true.