The top 3 free tools that anyone new to SEO tries are:
1. Google Suggestion
Most SEO experts complain that Google does not provide a proper tool for detailed keyword research, and to some extent, they are right. However, the Google Suggest tool, while rather crude, does give an indication of the number of searches performed for certain keywords. Just type your keyword. Simple but quite effective goal.
2. Google PR Toolbar
The Google Toolbar offers a ‘Page Rank’ checker which is invaluable when exchanging links with other sites. The Page Rank Checker is not installed by default, so you’ll need to make sure to check the ‘Page Rank’ option on installation. Once installed, the toolbar will show you the page rank of whatever page you are currently browsing. Page Rank is a key factor when deciding link exchanges with other sites, and this tool saves time when deciding the quality of other sites.
3.Google Analytics
Google Analytics is a must for any webmaster. I was surprised to find that many corporate websites do not have any analytics tools at all, and many simply rely on basic data provided by the hosting company’s stats tool and scanning server logs. Google Analytics is not only free, but it provides such detailed statistics that once you’ve tried it, you’ll never stop using it. It’s easy to install (all it takes is installing 2 lines of code on each web page), but it’s arguably one of the best analytics tools available for SEO experts.
The world of SEO can be confusing for those trying to get a grip on its ever-evolving principles. However, the 3 tools mentioned in this article will provide a good foundation to further improve your education and understanding of SEO principles.
