As a small business owner, you can still take advantage of the internet to attract new customers. There are many great SEO tools that are either free or inexpensive to use. They’ll help you to assess your current SEO strategies and make changes as needed. Of course, if you don’t know where to start, our sister company BSPOKE Design is here to help you every step of the way. Keep reading as we reveal some of the most basic SEO tools that any small business owner needs to use this year.
Google Search Console
No business with a website should be operating online without using Google Search Console. This service used to be called Google Webmaster Tools, but it was updated a few years ago. It’s a service that allows website owners to check their current online status and optimise their website. You’ll be able to monitor how your site is performing currently and then troubleshoot any issues you are facing. Google goes through your site to find any issues and give you areas for improvement. The good news is that it’s quick and easy to set up with your Google account. You’ll just have to enter your website’s domain and verify your website to begin. If you are looking to improve your SEO this year, make sure you don’t miss out on Google Search Console.
Google Analytics
Working hand in hand with Google Search Console is Google Analytics. It’s another of the best basic SEO tools, and it’s also quick and easy to set up with your Google account. It tracks and reports back about your website traffic. You’ll review a whole range of useful statistics, including session duration, visitor location, and conversion rates. It’s a great way to learn more about your target audience and the source of the traffic to your site. You don’t need to pay to start using Google Analytics. This makes it ideal for small business owners operating on a budget. You’ll also find that it’s so easy to navigate, which is perfect for anyone using it for the first time.
Ahrefs
When it comes to basic SEO tools, you’ll also need to think about keyword research. Ahrefs is an SEO software suite that offers keyword research, rank tracking, site audits, and competitor analytics. Originally designed for marketing professionals, but a great option for small businesses, too. If your aim is to get higher on Google rankings, it will help you achieve just this. Many small business owners that are in charge of their SEO use this as their main tool. It offers you the chance to learn more about SEO while continuing to improve your site each month.
One thing to note is that Ahrefs has a fee attached to it. The price will vary depending on the option you select, which is billed monthly or annually. They do offer a reduced-price seven-day trial, which is ideal for anyone looking to give it a go. We recommend that you start with the Lite bundle as a small business owner. As your business grows, you can upgrade as needed when you have a full marketing team.
Google My Business
When setting up your website for the first time, make sure you use Google My Business. This is something that any small business owner needs to use. It’s a little different from the other basic SEO tools, as this is about updating your online information. You’ll need to fill in your business’s contact information so that it shows up on Google maps. It will help you to attract the right audience to your business and ensure your information is correct online. When customers are looking to work with a company, there’s nothing worse than incorrect online information. Keep this in mind when changing your website to avoid issues and customer complaints.
Google Trends
Are you unsure what keywords to use on your website? Google Trends is a great basic SEO tool to find out more about current and upcoming trends. You’ll see which keywords are used more commonly now and also look for trends that are dying off. This allows you to focus on only adding the most popular search terms to your site when updating your pages. Google Trends is available across different regions and languages. You’ll view graphs to compare different queries, giving you the information you need to succeed.
SEMrush
Another good multipurpose tool for business owners is SEMrush. It offers many similar features to Ahrefs and is another paid tool. You’ll find that it offers you keyword research, data about your site, and market research. It will also analyse backlinks, which is something small businesses shouldn’t neglect. We find this to be a great tool for small businesses, and it’s helpful with social media as well. It’s a good all-in-one tool if you don’t know where to start, which is why it’s one of our favourite basic SEO tools. You could use this alone and experience most of the benefits of other tools combined if you are short of time.
In Conclusion
As you can see, there are a lot of basic SEO tools out there for small business owners. You’ll find that with a little trial and error, you will learn how to use these tools in no time. Of course, you may want to leave this job to the professionals. Contact our sister company BSPOKE Design today for more information and to discuss SEO strategies. However, if you’re more interested in custom business software you can call our software team today.
