Are you ready to jump into search engine optimization (SEO) but unsure about which of the 500+ software solutions is right for you? We can help with this list of the best SEO tools for beginners.
Check out our breakdown of the programs that will serve you well as an eager novice.
The 6 Best SEO Tools for Beginners
If you’re going to start anywhere with SEO tools, these six are your best bet.
1. Google Search Console
Fortunately, the search engine “king of the mountain” offers various free tools for SEO. Of these, Google Search Console is a must-have.
With Search Console, you can monitor your performance on search engine result pages (SERPs). Then, you can use that information to optimize your site, especially on the technical side.
For example, you can ensure that Google is crawling the right pages for indexing and ignoring those that don’t contribute to SEO. You can also find out the number of links that point to your site and their anchor texts. A possible drawback is that you’re not going to get the customizability, advanced reports, and long-term analysis of other options.
Still, advanced SEO tools work best when they connect to Google Search Console to retrieve data anyway. That fact clearly makes it one of the best SEO tools for beginners to investigate first.
2. Google Analytics
Google Search Console’s number one accomplice in digging up valuable SEO information is Google Analytics. The tool gives a free website traffic report, with stats on pageviews, clicks, conversions, and more. Then, you can use its predictive analytics to figure out which actions you can take to improve your metrics.
However, various users have complained about the latest version, Google Analytics 4 (GA4). The interface is too slow, buggy, and complex for many. Still, like Google Search Console, GA4 is going to be a fundamental part of your martech stack and remain among the best SEO tools for beginners to start with.
3. Yoast
Most websites are running on WordPress and can take advantage of the Yoast plugin. Shopify also has a Yoast app. This is a cost-efficient tool for discovering keywords with a free and paid version.
Other features help you discover and correct technical issues, too. For instance, you can find and fix broken links, as well as easily set canonical URL tags to avoid content duplication. One of the things we appreciate is the guidance for improving content. As you write, Yoast will rate your writing for its readability and keyword usage.
In addition, the tool provides suggestions for links as you write. This feature ensures you don’t miss a great opportunity to reference your own content and boost your site’s visibility. Another important feature for beginners is Yoast’s courses to enhance your SEO knowledge and skills.
It’s not the most powerful tool, but it works very well. For those who want to dabble in SEO content creation, Yoast is an excellent starter tool.
