In the digital age, SEO is the linchpin of online visibility. For small businesses, the right SEO tools can either make or break your online presence. This guide is your one-stop-shop for the best SEO tools in 2023, tailored to the unique needs of small businesses.
Note: Some tools in this list appear more than once, i.e. in multiple sections, simply because they’re effective for multiple aspects of SEO. In fact, some tools are specifically designed to handle all aspects of SEO, or close to all.
PS: I have an article covering the fundamentals of SEO and outlining ways to optimize your WordPress website for SEO: How to Become a WordPress SEO Expert.
Keyword Research Tools
Semrush
Semrush is more than a keyword research tool; it’s a comprehensive SEO suite. The Keyword Magic Tool alone offers over 20 million keyword ideas, sortable by search volume, keyword difficulty, and competitive density.
Potential Benefits: By using Semrush, you can identify high-traffic keywords that your competitors are missing out on. This can give you a competitive edge and potentially increase your website’s organic traffic by up to 50%.
Unlock your keyword potential with Semrush today
KWFinder
KWFinder focuses on long-tail keywords, offering a unique advantage for small businesses. The tool displays a Keyword Difficulty Score, making it easier to target keywords that you can actually rank for. It also provides localized search volume data, crucial for businesses targeting specific geographic locations.
Potential Benefits: KWFinder can help you discover low-competition keywords that are easier to rank for, potentially reducing your SEO costs by up to 20%.
Discover untapped long-tail keywords with KWFinder
Google Trends
Google Trends is a free tool that provides invaluable insights into keyword popularity over time. It allows you to compare multiple keywords and provides related queries, which can be a goldmine for content ideas. The tool also offers geographic breakdowns, showing where your keywords are most popular.
Potential Benefits: Google Trends can help you identify seasonal trends or emerging topics in your industry, allowing you to create timely content that could increase your website traffic by up to 30%.
Analyze keyword trends for free with Google Trends
AccuRanker
AccuRanker specializes in keyword rank tracking. It offers daily updates and features like Share of Voice, which measures your visibility against competitors for your target keywords. The tool supports multiple search engines, including Google, Bing, and YouTube.
Potential Benefits: AccuRanker’s daily updates can help you react quickly to changes in keyword rankings, potentially improving your search visibility by up to 25%.
Track your keyword rankings accurately with AccuRanker
Keyword Research
This tool focuses on providing actionable keyword-related data. It offers features like keyword competitiveness analysis and search intent classification. The tool also integrates with Google Analytics, allowing you to see how your keywords are performing in real-time.
Potential Benefits: The real-time analytics feature can help you make quick adjustments to your SEO strategy, potentially increasing your click-through rates by up to 15%.
Get actionable keyword data with Keyword Research
Mangools
Mangools is a suite of SEO tools, but its KWFinder tool is particularly strong for keyword research. It offers a Keyword Difficulty Score and even predicts the future search volume of keywords, which is invaluable for planning long-term SEO strategies.
Potential Benefits: Mangools’ future search volume predictions can help you plan long-term content strategies, potentially increasing your organic traffic by up to 40%.
Plan your long-term SEO strategy with Mangools
Competitor Analysis Tools
Ahrefs
Ahrefs offers a comprehensive backlink analysis feature that tracks over 16 trillion known links. It’s a go-to for competitor analysis, boasting a Content Explorer that can search through over 7 billion web pages. Ahrefs updates its keyword database every month, currently holding over 10.3 billion keywords. If you’re serious about outperforming your competitors, Ahrefs is a must-have.
RankIQ
RankIQ uses AI to identify the least competitive keywords that will drive the most organic traffic to your site. It also offers a Content Optimizer that provides real-time SEO suggestions. RankIQ’s library contains over 600,000 post templates to help you rank higher. For AI-driven keyword research and content optimization, RankIQ is your tool.
Moz Pro
Moz Pro offers a Link Explorer feature that boasts a database of 40.7 trillion links. It also has a Keyword Explorer tool that provides keyword metrics like monthly search volume and SERP analysis. Moz Pro’s Site Crawl identifies critical issues that could affect your site’s SEO. For a well-rounded competitor analysis, Moz Pro is a strong contender.
Similarweb
Similarweb provides traffic and engagement statistics for any website. It offers industry benchmarking, allowing you to compare your metrics against competitors in your industry. The tool also provides audience insights, including geography and demographics. For a deep dive into competitor analytics, Similarweb is invaluable.
On-Page SEO Tools
Surfer
Surfer specializes in content optimization for SEO. It analyzes the top-ranking pages for your target keywords and provides actionable recommendations. The tool offers a Content Editor that guides you in real-time as you write, ensuring your content is SEO-friendly.
Potential Benefits: Surfer can help you create content that is more likely to rank, potentially increasing your organic traffic and reducing bounce rates.
Optimize your content with Surfer
WooRank
WooRank is a user-friendly tool that provides a detailed analysis of your website’s SEO performance. It offers an Instant SEO Audit, Keyword Tracking, and even Competitor Analysis.
Potential Benefits: WooRank can help you identify and fix on-page SEO issues quickly, potentially improving your website’s search rankings and user experience.
Get a detailed SEO analysis with WooRank
RankIQ
RankIQ focuses on keyword rankings and competitor monitoring. It offers features like AI-driven content briefs and keyword clustering, which can help you create content that outperforms your competitors.
Potential Benefits: RankIQ can help you track your keyword rankings and monitor your competitors, giving you the insights needed to outperform them.
Outperform your competitors with RankIQ
Frase.io
Frase.io is designed to help you create better SEO content. It offers an AI-powered content brief and automated content creation, making it easier to produce high-quality, SEO-friendly content.
Potential Benefits: Frase.io can significantly reduce the time you spend on content creation, allowing you to focus more on strategy and other aspects of your business.
Automate your content creation with Frase.io
INK For All
INK For All is an SEO-focused writing editor. It offers real-time SEO suggestions as you write, including keyword density checks and readability assessments.
Potential Benefits: INK For All can help you create content that not only ranks well but also engages your audience, potentially increasing your site’s dwell time.
Write SEO-friendly content with INK For All
ContentKing
ContentKing offers real-time SEO auditing and change tracking. It continuously monitors your website and alerts you to any issues that could affect your SEO, such as broken links or slow-loading pages.
Potential Benefits: ContentKing can help you catch and fix issues before they impact your rankings, ensuring a smoother user experience.
Monitor your website in real-time with ContentKing
Website Monitoring and Auditing Tools
Google Search Console
Google Search Console is a free tool essential for tracking your website’s performance on Google. It offers a Performance Report for metrics like clicks and impressions and Core Web Vitals for user experience. You can submit sitemaps for better indexing and get specific crawl error fixes. A must for any serious website owner. Start using Google Search Console.
WooRank
WooRank provides an Instant Website Review with an SEO score between 0 and 100 and detailed action items. It includes Keyword Tracking across multiple search engines and a Site Crawl feature for identifying SEO issues like broken links. Ideal for comprehensive SEO audits. Try WooRank now.
SEO Auditing
SEO Auditing tools offer On-Page Analysis for elements like meta tags and Backlink Analysis for inbound links. They come with Customizable Audit Templates for targeted SEO audits. Explore SEO Auditing tools.
Siteimprove
Siteimprove offers Accessibility Audits compliant with WCAG standards and SEO Audits that cover over 70 SEO issues. It also provides Real-Time Analytics for immediate insights. A comprehensive tool for website quality assurance. Check out Siteimprove.
SiteGuru
SiteGuru performs Full Site Audits, analyzing each page for SEO issues and usability. It also offers Weekly Updates on your site’s performance and Prioritized Task Lists to tackle the most critical issues first. A tool that keeps you in the loop. Get started with SiteGuru.
Local SEO Tools
BrightLocal
BrightLocal specializes in local SEO, offering local search rank tracking for both organic and map listings. It also provides local citation tracking, helping you manage your business listings across various directories. The tool offers reputation management, allowing you to monitor customer reviews across multiple platforms. For businesses looking to dominate local search, BrightLocal is a must-have.
LocaliQ
LocaliQ offers a comprehensive local marketing solution, including SEO, social media, and reputation management. It provides real-time reporting and analytics, allowing you to track your local performance metrics effectively. For an all-in-one local marketing solution, LocaliQ is your go-to tool.
Bing Webmaster Tools
Bing Webmaster Tools offers local SEO features such as geo-targeting. It provides detailed reporting and diagnostic tools, helping you understand how your website is performing on Bing’s search engine. The tool also offers keyword research specific to Bing’s search engine. For those looking to expand their local SEO efforts beyond Google, Bing Webmaster Tools is a valuable addition.
All-in-One SEO Suites
SE Ranking
SE Ranking offers a 360-degree view of your SEO efforts, from keyword tracking to website auditing. It features 20+ tools, including backlink monitoring and competitor research. SE Ranking also provides white-label reports, making it ideal for agencies. For a comprehensive SEO solution that covers all bases, SE Ranking is your go-to platform.
SEO PowerSuite
SEO PowerSuite is a desktop-based platform that offers four major SEO tools: Rank Tracker, Website Auditor, SEO SpyGlass, and LinkAssistant. These tools cover everything from keyword research to backlink analysis. The suite also supports automated SEO tasks, saving you time and effort. For a robust, desktop-based SEO solution, SEO PowerSuite is a strong contender.
AgencyAnalytics
AgencyAnalytics is an all-in-one reporting platform for agencies, offering 40+ integrations, including Google Analytics, AdWords, and more. It features custom dashboards and automated reporting, allowing you to keep clients in the loop effortlessly. If you’re an agency looking for a comprehensive reporting solution, AgencyAnalytics is worth considering.
Seobility
Seobility is designed for on-page optimization, backlink analysis, and website crawling. It also offers a TF*IDF tool for content optimization. The platform provides real-time SEO auditing and keyword tracking. For those focused on on-page SEO, Seobility is a solid choice.
Serpstat
Serpstat is an all-in-one SEO platform that offers keyword research, competitor analysis, and site audits. Unique to Serpstat is its database of 230 Google databases and 9 Yandex databases. It also provides API access for large data retrieval. For a tool that offers extensive databases and API access, Serpstat stands out.
User and Traffic Analytics
G2
G2 is not just a review platform; it’s a powerful tool for SEO Alerting, SEO Auditing, Localization, Technical SEO, Link Building, Custom Reports, Keyword Research, Content Insights, SERP Rank Tracking, Data Visualization, and Competitor Analysis.
Unlock the power of data-driven insights to refine your SEO strategy. Explore G2 now.
User Satisfaction
User Satisfaction on G2 offers a deep dive into customer reviews, ratings, and feedback. It’s a goldmine for understanding your audience and tailoring your SEO strategy accordingly.
Get to know your audience like never before and tailor your SEO strategy for maximum impact. Start with User Satisfaction on G2.
Market Segment
Market Segment on G2 provides industry-specific insights and data analytics. It helps you understand your market share and how to improve it.
Gain industry-specific insights to dominate your market. Check out Market Segment on G2.
Sitechecker
Sitechecker offers a comprehensive website audit, backlink tracker, and website monitoring. It provides real-time analytics and SEO reports to help you understand your website’s performance.
Elevate your website’s performance with real-time analytics and comprehensive audits. Try Sitechecker today.
Recap
In the ever-evolving landscape of online business, using the right SEO tools gives you a powerful competitive edge. The tools in this list can offer you the insights, data, and strategies you need to stay ahead of your competition and maximize your online visibility.
Here’s a quick recap:
- Keyword Research Tools: Tools like Semrush, KWFinder, and Google Trends help you discover the best keywords to target, optimizing your content for search engines.
- On-Page SEO Tools: Optimize your website’s content and structure with tools like Surfer, RankIQ, and Yoast.
- Competitor Analysis Tools: Gain valuable insights into your competitors’ strategies with Ahrefs, RankIQ, and more.
- Website Monitoring and Auditing: Keep your site healthy and performant with Google Search Console, WooRank, and others.
- Local SEO Tools: Boost your local search presence with tools like BrightLocal and Bing Webmaster Tools.
- All-in-One SEO Suites: For a comprehensive SEO solution, consider SE Ranking, SEO PowerSuite, and more.
- User and Traffic Analytics: Understand your audience and improve your SEO strategies with tools like G2, User Satisfaction, and Sitechecker.
Each of these tools brings something unique to the table, and the choice ultimately depends on your specific needs and goals.
By harnessing the capabilities of these tools, you can make data-driven decisions, track your progress, and continuously improve your online business’s performance.
