Affordable SEO Tools: The Best Options for New Marketers

SEO is crucial for small businesses and individuals who want to be found online. It helps websites rank higher in search results which means more visibility and potential customers. However, SEO can be expensive, especially for those just starting out. This is where affordable SEO tools come in. They provide the necessary features to improve your site;s performance without costing a fortune.

Why Affordable SEO Tools Matter

Small businesses often struggle with SEO because they don't have the big budgets that larger companies do. They need to compete in a crowded market but may lack the resources to invest in high-end tools. Affordable SEO tools are essential because they offer the functionality needed to optimize a site, track progress, and make improvements all within a reasonable budget. These tools make it possible for smaller players to compete effectively, ensuring they can reach their audience and achieve their goals without overspending.

1. Ahrefs Webmaster Tools




Ahrefs Webmaster Tools (AWT) is a free offering from Ahrefs designed to help small website owners optimize their sites for search engines. It provides essential features that are typically found in premium SEO tools making it a valuable resource for those who might not have the budget for the full Ahrefs suite.

AWT includes a site audit feature that scans your website for common SEO issues such as broken links, missing meta tags, and slow-loading pages. It provides a detailed report on the health of your site, along with actionable recommendations for fixing issues.

As a free tool, AWT provides significant value without any cost, making it an excellent option for small businesses and individual website owners. While AWT is powerful for a free tool, it does not include all the features of the full Ahrefs suite. For example, advanced keyword research, detailed competitive analysis, and in-depth backlink data are reserved for paid users.

2. Google Search Console




Google Search Console (GSC) is a free tool provided by Google that helps website owners monitor and optimize their site's performance in Google Search results. It's an essential tool for anyone looking to understand how their website is performing, identify potential issues, and improve their SEO efforts.

GSC provides detailed reports on how your website is performing in Google Search. You can see data such as total clicks, impressions, average click-through rate (CTR), and average position in search results. This information helps you understand which pages are performing well and which may need improvement.

GSC allows you to monitor how Google is indexing your website. You can see which pages have been indexed, which are excluded, and any issues that may be preventing certain pages from being indexed. The tool also provides information on coverage issues, such as crawl errors, and allows you to submit sitemaps for better indexing.

Benefits of Using Google Search Console

• Completely Free: GSC is a powerful tool offered by Google at no cost, making it accessible to everyone, from small businesses to large enterprises.
• Direct Insights from Google: Since GSC is provided by Google, the data and insights you get are directly from the source, ensuring accuracy and relevance.
• Improves Site Performance: By using GSC, you can identify and fix issues that may be affecting your site's performance in search results, helping you to improve visibility and traffic.
• Easy Integration with Google Analytics: GSC can be easily integrated with Google Analytics, allowing you to combine data from both tools for a more comprehensive understanding of your website's performance.

Google Search Console is an indispensable tool for anyone serious about improving their website's SEO. It offers a wide range of features that help you monitor your site's performance, identify issues, and optimize your content for better search engine visibility. Whether you're a small business owner or a seasoned SEO professional, GSC provides the insights needed to enhance your online presence, all for free.

3. Screaming Frog SEO Spider




Screaming Frog SEO Spider is a powerful website crawler used by SEO professionals to perform in-depth technical audits. It scans websites and collects data that helps identify common SEO issues that could be affecting a site's performance. This tool is especially valuable for analyzing large websites where manual audits would be time-consuming and inefficient.

Key Features of Screaming Frog SEO Spider

Key Feature	Description
Website Crawling and Data Collection	Crawls websites to gather data on SEO elements like titles, meta descriptions, headers, etc.
Broken Link Finder	Detects broken links (404 errors), server errors, and redirects, helping to improve user experience.
XML Sitemap Generation	Generates customizable XML sitemaps to assist search engines in indexing your website effectively.
On-Page SEO Audits	Provides reports on on-page SEO factors like page titles, meta descriptions, H1 tags, and more.
Redirect Audit/td>	Audits redirects (301, 302) to ensure they function correctly and maintain link equity.
Image Analysis	Crawls and analyzes images for file size, alt text, and missing images to optimize site speed and SEO.
Structured Data and Schema Markup	Checks for structured data and schema markup to enhance search result appearances.
Custom Extraction	Allows users to extract specific data from HTML, such as meta tags, social tags, etc.
Crawl Limitations and Filters	Provides options to set crawl limits and apply filters for targeted analysis of specific site sections.




Free vs. Paid Version

• Free Version:

The free version of Screaming Frog SEO Spider allows you to crawl up to 500 URLs. It's a great option for smaller websites or for those who want to test the tool before committing to the paid version. However, it lacks some advanced features such as custom extraction, saving and re-uploading crawls, and advanced configuration options.

• Paid Version:

The paid version, costing $259 per year, removes the crawl limit and unlocks all the advanced features. This version is ideal for larger websites or SEO professionals who need comprehensive data and custom reports.

4. Ubersuggest




Ubersuggest is an SEO tool designed to help users with keyword research, site audits, and competitive analysis. Originally launched as a simple keyword suggestion tool, Ubersuggest has evolved into a comprehensive SEO platform that caters to both beginners and professionals. It is particularly known for its affordability, making it accessible to a wide range of users.

Free vs. Paid Version

• Free Version:

Ubersuggest offers a free version with limited features, such as a capped number of keyword searches and site audits per day. It's a good starting point for beginners or those who want to try out the tool before committing to a paid plan.

• Paid Version:

Paid plans start at $12/month and unlock more features, including unlimited daily searches, more detailed reports, and additional tools like rank tracking and advanced backlink data. The paid version also offers more robust competitor analysis and site audit capabilities.

Benefits of Using Ubersuggest

• Affordability: Ubersuggest is one of the most cost-effective SEO tools available, making it accessible to small businesses, freelancers, and individuals.
• Ease of Use: The tool is user-friendly, with a simple interface that makes it easy to navigate and understand, even for those new to SEO.
• All-in-One Tool: Ubersuggest provides a range of features that cover most aspects of SEO, from keyword research to site audits, making it a versatile tool for a variety of needs.



5. Mangools




Mangools is a suite of SEO tools that includes several key features designed to help users with keyword research, SERP analysis, backlink analysis, and more. It's particularly known for its user-friendly interface and affordability, making it a popular choice among small businesses, freelancers, and SEO beginners. The suite includes five main tools:KWFinder , SERPChecker, LinkMiner, SiteProfiler, and SERPWatcher.

Pricing

• Pricing:
Mangools' pricing starts at $29.90 per month, which is competitive compared to other SEO tools with similar capabilities. This plan includes access to all five tools with varying limits on the number of searches and analyses you can perform each day. Higher-tier plans offer more extensive usage limits and additional features, making Mangools a scalable option as your SEO needs grow.

Benefits of Using Mangools

• User-Friendly Interface: Mangools is known for its clean, intuitive interface, making it accessible even for users who are new to SEO.
• Comprehensive Toolset: The suite covers a wide range of SEO needs, from keyword research to backlink analysis, all in one package.
• Affordable Pricing: Starting at $29.90/month, Mangools offers good value for money, particularly for small businesses and individual users.
• Accurate Keyword Difficulty: KWFinder is particularly praised for its accurate keyword difficulty metrics, which are crucial for effective keyword targeting.



6. Moz Pro




Moz Pro is a comprehensive SEO toolset that offers a range of features designed to help businesses and marketers improve their online visibility. With tools for keyword research, link building, site auditing, and more, Moz Pro is a popular choice among SEO professionals and businesses of all sizes. It's particularly known for its robust data and insights, making it a go-to tool for those who need reliable and actionable SEO information.

MozBar




MozBar is a free browser extension included with Moz Pro that provides on-the-go SEO analysis directly within your browser. It offers quick insights into page authority, domain authority, and link metrics while you browse the web.

Pricing

• Plans and Pricing:

Moz Pro plans start at $99/month, which includes access to all the core features such as keyword research, link analysis, and site audits. Moz frequently offers discounts and promotions, and a free trial is available for those who want to test the platform before committing. Higher-tier plans offer additional features and higher limits on the number of keywords, sites, and reports that can be tracked and generated.

Benefits of Using Moz Pro

• Comprehensive Toolset: Moz Pro offers a wide range of tools that cover all aspects of SEO, from keyword research to technical site audits, making it a one-stop solution for SEO professionals.
• Reliable Data: Moz is known for its accurate and trustworthy data, particularly in areas such as Domain Authority and Page Authority, which are widely used in the industry.
• User-Friendly Interface: The platform is designed to be intuitive, with clear reports and actionable insights that are easy to understand, even for those new to SEO.
• Educational Resources: Moz offers extensive educational content, including guides, webinars, and a supportive community, which can be incredibly valuable for users looking to deepen their SEO knowledge.



7. Google Keyword Planner




Google Keyword Planner is a free tool within Google Ads designed for keyword research and planning. It's primarily used by advertisers to find keywords for their PPC (pay-per-click) campaigns, but it's also a valuable resource for SEO professionals and content creators who want to understand search trends and plan their keyword strategy effectively.

Benefits of Using Google Keyword Planner

• Completely Free: Google Keyword Planner is a free tool, making it accessible to everyone, from small businesses to large enterprises.
• Accurate Data from Google: Since the tool is provided by Google, the search volume and competition data are directly sourced from Google's own search engine, ensuring accuracy and relevance.
• Integration with Google Ads: For those running paid campaigns alongside their SEO efforts, the tool's integration with Google Ads provides a seamless experience, allowing users to transition from keyword research to campaign setup easily.
• Actionable Insights for SEO and PPC: Whether you're focusing on organic search or paid search, Google Keyword Planner provides valuable insights that can help guide your keyword strategy and optimize your content for better search engine visibility.



8. AnswerThePublic




AnswerThePublic is a unique SEO tool that helps users discover content ideas and popular questions related to specific keywords. It's particularly useful for content creators, marketers, and SEO professionals who want to understand what their audience is searching for online.

By generating a wide range of questions, comparisons, and other query types based on a keyword, AnswerThePublic provides valuable insights into the topics people care about.

Free vs. Paid Version

• Free Version:

The free version of AnswerThePublic allows users to perform a limited number of searches per day. While this version provides access to the core features, the number of searches and the ability to export data are restricted, which may limit its usefulness for more extensive research or regular use.

• Paid Version:

Paid plans start at $5/month and offer several additional benefits, including unlimited searches, the ability to compare data over time, and priority customer support. The paid version also allows for more detailed insights and data exports, making it suitable for users who need to conduct regular or more in-depth research.

Benefits of Using AnswerThePublic

• Content Idea Generation: The tool excels at generating a large number of content ideas based on real user queries, helping content creators produce relevant and engaging material.
• Understanding Search Intent: By revealing the types of questions people are asking, AnswerThePublic helps users better understand search intent, which is crucial for creating content that meets user needs.
• Easy to Use: The interface is straightforward, and the visual representation of data makes it easy to interpret the results and spot opportunities quickly.
• Affordable Pricing: With paid plans starting at $5/month, AnswerThePublic is accessible to a wide range of users, from freelancers to small businesses.



9. Serpstat




Serpstat is an all-in-one SEO platform designed to cater to the needs of digital marketers, SEO professionals, and businesses of all sizes. It offers a wide range of tools for keyword research, site audits, rank tracking, and more, making it a comprehensive solution for improving website performance and search engine rankings.

Benefits of Using Serpstat

• Comprehensive Toolset: Serpstat provides a wide range of tools that cover all aspects of SEO, making it a one-stop solution for digital marketers.
• User-Friendly Interface: The platform is designed to be accessible to both beginners and experienced professionals, with a clean interface and easy-to-understand data.
• Affordable Pricing: Starting at $59/month, Serpstat offers a competitive price for the features it provides, making it an attractive option for small businesses and individuals.
• Scalability: Serpstat is suitable for users with varying needs, from small projects to large-scale SEO campaigns, offering different pricing tiers to accommodate different budgets.



10. Rank Math (for WordPress)




Rank Math is a popular WordPress plugin designed to help website owners optimize their on-page SEO and manage schema markup with ease. It is known for its user-friendly interface, extensive features, and strong support, making it a go-to choice for many WordPress users. Rank Math is available in both free and paid versions, with the pro version starting at $59/year.

Benefits of Using Rank Math

• Comprehensive Features: Rank Math provides a wide range of SEO features, from on-page optimization to schema markup, all within a single plugin. This makes it a powerful tool for managing SEO directly from the WordPress dashboard.
• User-Friendly Interface: The plugin is designed to be intuitive, even for beginners. Its setup wizard guides users through the initial configuration, and the interface is clean and easy to navigate.
• Affordability: With a robust free version and a pro version starting at just $5/ For Bloggers, Individuals and Solopreneurs and $49/month for agencies, Rank Math offers excellent value for the features it provides. This makes it an attractive option for both small businesses and larger websites.
• Regular Updates and Support: Rank Math is regularly updated with new features and improvements. The developers also offer strong support, ensuring that users can get help when needed.