It’s very difficult to do any serious SEO without the proper tools. Whether you’re a lawyer, dental clinic, contractor, exterminator, chiropractor or operate any other type of business, you’ll want to invest in some SEO tools if you are serious about ranking on page 1 of Google for your target keywords.
Let’s go through some affordable SEO tools that pack in a lot of value and help you optimize your website without straining your budget.
1. Ubersuggest
Think of Ubersuggest as an all-in-one tool for getting your SEO basics in place. Created by Neil Patel, it’s user-friendly and gives you insight into keywords, backlinks, and even competitor performance. It’s great if you’re just starting out or need a versatile tool without the complex bells and whistles of more expensive platforms.
Why It’s Affordable and Awesome: Ubersuggest has a free version that’s perfect for getting a feel for SEO and learning the ropes. If you want more robust features, paid plans start at only $12/month. You’ll get access to keyword suggestions, site audits, and backlink data—everything you need to make smart, data-driven decisions about your content and SEO strategy.
2. SE Ranking
SE Ranking is a full-service SEO platform. It has keyword tracking, competitor analysis, and website audits all in one. This makes it an excellent option if you’re looking to dig a little deeper into how your site and competitors are performing.
Why It’s Worth a Look: SE Ranking starts at $39/month, but the range of tools it offers for that price is impressive. You’ll get daily rank tracking, an intuitive keyword tool, and even a tool to analyze your competition—plus regular site audits to keep your site in top shape. It’s a solid choice if you want to manage all of your SEO needs on one affordable platform.
3. Mangools
Mangools offers a bundle of tools that are easy to use and provide powerful insights into keywords, backlinks, and SERP (Search Engine Results Page) data. It’s perfect if you’re looking for an SEO toolkit that’s simple yet effective.
Why It’s Budget-Friendly and Effective: Mangools starts at $29.90/month and is known for being beginner-friendly. Its KWFinder tool is especially helpful for keyword research, offering long-tail keyword suggestions and insights into keyword difficulty. Plus, SERPChecker gives you a preview of the top results, helping you understand who you’re up against and how to improve your rankings.
4. Screaming Frog SEO Spider
This tool is a favorite among technical SEO enthusiasts. Screaming Frog crawls your site, identifying broken links, duplicate content, and other SEO issues that could be dragging down your rankings. It’s like having an expert auditor go through your site with a fine-tooth comb.
Why It’s Great for the Price: Screaming Frog offers a free version that crawls up to 500 URLs. For small websites, this might be enough, and it’s a fantastic way to start improving your technical SEO at zero cost. The full version costs $259/year and opens up advanced features like custom crawling, which is a lifesaver for identifying and fixing technical issues.
5. Keywords Everywhere
Keywords Everywhere is a browser extension (for Chrome and Firefox) that gives you keyword data directly on your search engine results page. You can see search volume, cost-per-click (CPC), and competition level for keywords you’re interested in.
Why It’s Affordable and Handy: This tool is pay-as-you-go, so you buy credits based on your needs—starting at just $10 for 100,000 credits. You’ll only pay for the data you actually use, and the keywords insights show up directly in your browser, saving you time and making research more intuitive. It’s ideal if you want affordable keyword research on demand without any monthly commitments.
Don’t Forget The Free Ones
You may not need to invest a dollar in SEO tools if you are just trying to do some basic analytics, audits or keyword research. Here are the 3 free tools you absolutely need to master before even thinking about investing money in a tool:
1. Google Analytics
Google Analytics is a must-have for tracking website traffic, user behavior, and conversion rates. It offers insights into where your traffic is coming from, how long people stay on your site, and which pages perform best. It’s perfect for identifying trends and understanding your audience.
Highlights: Completely free; offers in-depth insights into site traffic and user behavior.
2. Google Search Console
This tool from Google helps you monitor your site’s presence in search results. You can see which keywords you’re ranking for, check for technical issues, and even submit your sitemap. Search Console also alerts you if there are issues that might affect your SEO.
Highlights: Free; essential for tracking search performance and fixing technical issues.
3. Google Keyword Planner
Although designed for Google Ads, Google Keyword Planner is a fantastic free resource for keyword research. You can enter topics, and it will generate keyword ideas with monthly search volumes and competition levels. It’s especially helpful for discovering relevant keywords to guide your content strategy.
Highlights: Free; provides keyword ideas, search volumes, and competition data.
Which Tool is Right for You?
If you’re just getting started, Ubersuggest or Keywords Everywhere can help you explore keywords and basic SEO insights without a big investment. For those looking to manage multiple aspects of SEO in one place, SE Ranking or Mangools offer broader toolsets. And if you want to ensure your website is technically sound, Screaming Frog is your best friend.
Each tool has something valuable to offer, so you can choose based on your budget, needs, and SEO goals. Whether you’re a beginner or need a bit more depth, these tools can help you enhance your SEO strategy without stretching your budget!
Passionate about the world wide web since 1995, Amine has been working as a Web Developer, SEO & Social Media Marketing Specialist for several Organizations in the United States, Canada and China.
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