Search engine optimization is a process of creating Web copy that will be indexed by the major search engines in a way that favors the website. A high placement in search engine results is often the difference between a site getting no traffic and a site that gets regular website traffic.
Useful Free SEO Tools
In order to make search engine optimization efforts as effective as possible, there are a number of SEO tools that can make the process easier. One of the simplest free SEO tools is a keyword tool. There are pay services as well as free keyword tools that show the most popular search phrases for any given keyword.
Wordtracker is a free keyword tool that returns up to 100 of the most popular searches for a given keyword or phrase. The site also has a more complex paid service that provides more keywords and is updated faster than the free service.
Pagerank Tools
There are a number of free sites that can show webmasters their Google pagerank. Search engine optimization companies often have free SEO tools on their sites to draw in customers. Some of these also show more detailed information about the website. DnScoop shows the Google pagerank as well as the number of links to the site and an estimated value for the site. The site also provides a link to all of the links that point toward the site for a better look at the quality of the backlinks.
Keyword Density Tools
To make sure that a given bit of Web copy will get the attention of search engines for its given keywords, without being penalized for keyword stuffing, a keyword density tool can help. A keyword density tool calculates how much of the content is taken up by specific keywords. Most keyword density tools work by scanning an inputted URL to find the density. However, there are also several that have a text box for scanning the keyword density before the content has been published online.
Google Webmaster Tools
These are completely free tools that show webmasters exactly how well their website is being indexed and any problems that exist. This includes how the site ranks for specific keywords. It also reveals the words and phrases that come up on the site most often and even what words other websites are using to link to the site.
Using Google Webmaster Tools requires signing up for a free Google account and verifying ownership of the site. Webmasters can upload an HTML file onto their website or insert a simple meta tag onto the site top prove ownership. After that process, webmasters have a wealth of free SEO tools at their disposal.
While the paid SEO tools from search engine optimization companies generally give more in-depth information, there are plenty of free SEO tools that perform most of the functions of paid services. Free SEO tools are becoming more plentiful because webmasters use them to bring traffic to their own sites. By coming to use the free tools, they hope webmasters will stay and buy SEO information products or click on PPC ads.
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