If you’re an entrepreneur, an online-strategist, a blogger, or a digital marketer, then you most likely understand the significance of SEO as an advertising and marketing technique. Without the right tools, the amount of time it takes to create an effective SEO campaign increases significantly. And, as the saying goes, time is money!
According to Weebly (a web-hosting service and DIY website builder), roughly 45% of small business owners don’t understand what SEO is. Nevertheless, about 98% of them understand that getting discovered on Google is essential for business growth and success.
If you do a quick search on Google, there are hundreds (maybe even hundreds of thousands!) of search engine optimization tools out there. It’s essential to understand the best tools for the job. We’ve compiled a list of ten most powerful SEO tools that are worth using in 2018.
1. Screaming Frog
Not only does it have a ridiculously catchy name, but Screaming Frog is also widely regarded as the most valuable SEO Spider Tool on the market. This particular spider is a desktop application that you can download (there is a free “Lite” version as well as a paid version) and run from your computer, regardless of platform. It allows you to crawl a website and to generate and download an XML Sitemap, which is then used to make sure that Google is able to find and crawl all pages you deem essential on your website.
Screaming Frog
2. SEM Rush
SEM Rush allows you to do keyword and competitor research, as well as perform a full SEO audit of your website.
SEM Rush
3. Keywordtool.io
A helpful tool that will help you to discover the key phrases that users are typing into Google’s Search Field. Keyword research is one of the most laborious and time-consuming elements of SEO, and Keywordtool.io is a free service that will allow you to find the great keywords using Google Autocomplete.
Keyword Tool
4. SimilarWeb
SimilarWeb is a browser add-on that offers in-depth traffic and user engagement statistics. It also will allow you to identify emerging SEO trends and also reveal your competitor’s online ranking and SEO strategy.
SimilarWeb
5. Google Search Console & Google Analytics
Google Search Console is a free service offered by Google that allows you to monitor and maintain your site’s presence and rank in Google Search Results. Use Google Analytics to get an insight into who is landing on your site and how you can improve user engagement.
Google Search Console
6. Ahrefs
Ahrefs is a system that that offers the world’s largest database of live backlinks. This toolset is a favorite among SEO gurus to help improve search rankings and to grow search traffic. It’s very straightforward, easy-to-use, and it offers in-depth, comprehensible data. Ahrefs can also export data into user-friendly formats and is even able to show social metrics such Shares, Likes, Tweets, and Google +1s next to each link.
Although it’s a paid service, Ahrefs offers free trials for all plans.
Ahrefs
7. BuzzSumo
Considered to be the ultimate guide for content research. Put very simply, this powerful tool helps to ensure that you are putting out top content that resonates with your audience and keeps them coming back for more.
BuzzSumo
8. Open Site Explorer | Moz
Open Site Explorer is used to research backlinks, analyze text, view social activity, and to identify link building opportunities.
Open Site Explorer | Moz
9. BuzzStream
This web-based software is extremely useful for building relations with web influencers and bloggers which is essential for link building. It routinely saves your correspondence, like emails and Tweets and allows you to set reminders to follow-up.
BuzzStream
10. Quick Sprout
Quick Sprout is a simple yet impressive tool that analyzes your website, gives you valuable insight on which areas need improvement, and gives you tips on how to optimize for SEO.
Quick Sprout
Bonus: 11. Long Tail Pro
This cloud-based platform is one of the most popular keyword research tools used in the SEO field.
Long Tail Pro
Bonus: 12. Yoast
Yoast is the #1 search engine optimization software for WordPress. It’s used to create optimized meta titles and descriptions, and generating XML sitemaps.
Yoast
Conclusion:
SEO is absolutely integral for the success of your business. The tools we shared above will help you to achieve high rankings in 2018. It’s your year to be discovered!