Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a spearhead of modern digital marketing, as it helps leverage search engine visibility. However, as with all business endeavours, SEO strategies require optimal tools for optimal results. Thus, in this article, we’ll explore 10 of the best SEO tools to use in 2021 to ensure success.
What is SEO?
Initially, let us briefly define SEO. SEO is a set of practices that optimizes content for search engines, by aligning it with their ranking criteria. Backlinko notes that there are over 200 ranking factors to adhere to, including:
- Website speed and responsiveness
- Keyword choice and utilization
- Mobile-friendliness and usability
- Page Authority (PA) and Domain Authority (DA)
- Backlink and internal link quality and quantity
To address this, SEO tools will frequently focus on such factors and practices as the following:
- Keyword research
- Link building
- Competitor analysis
- On-page optimizations
- Website technical health
It thus follows that different businesses will need different SEO tools, depending on their goals and needs. For example, link-building strategies will call for different tools than site audits will.
What does boosting SEO matter?
Finally, before delving into the 10 best SEO tools to use in 2021, let us address why they matter. Frankly, all of these tools will help enhance SEO performance and reap its benefits, including:
- Better search engine visibility. 75% of all users never reach the second page, and 33% of all clicks go to the top result. Thus, striving for search engine visibility is vital.
- More organic and referral traffic. High Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs) rankings will naturally yield more organic traffic. Similarly, link-building will produce referral traffic, whether through Follow or NoFollow links.
- Better website health. With loading speed directly correlating to user bounce rates and sitemaps affecting the User Experience (UX), website health is crucial toward securing conversions.
These and multiple other SEO benefits make SEO tools invaluable business assets, in 2021 and beyond.
10 Best SEO Tools to Use in 2021
With introductions out of the way, let us now cover some of the best SEO tools to consider. In no particular order, 10 of the very best are the following.
#1 SEMRush
One of the most prominent SEO tools around, SEMRush could not be missing from lists like this one. This tool offers a comprehensive all-in-one SEO platform, whose features range from site audit and position tracking tools to keyword research and backlink analytics.
Used for: Keyword research, link-building, SEO audits, and more.
Best for: Businesses of all sizes. Some SEO experience might be required, however, due to its features’ depth and complexity.
Pricing: Paid with free trials. SEMRush’s plans range from $119.95/month for the Pro plan to $449.95/month for the Business plan.
#2 Ahrefs
Another very prominent platform, Ahrefs also boasts a tremendous array of useful SEO features. From Domain Comparison for domain insights to Keyword Explorer for keyword research, it too offers a holistic, intuitive platform.
Used for: Keyword research, link-building, competitor analysis, and more.
Best for: Medium to large businesses. Its pricing and learning curve may discourage smaller and inexperienced businesses, respectively.
Pricing: Freemium. Ahrefs offers limited free accounts and 7-day trials for $7. Paid plans range from $99/month for the Lite plan to $999/month for the Agency plan.
#3 Moz Pro
Another reputable suite, Moz Pro offers another option for all-in-one platforms. Like SEMRush and Ahrefs, it offers keyword research tools through its Keyword Explorer, link-building and management through its Link Explorer, and more.
Used for: Keyword research, link-building and backlink analysis, DA (a Moz metric) analysis, and more.
Best for: Businesses of all sizes. Still, its learning curve may require some prior experience, and larger businesses may prefer feature-richer platforms.
Pricing: Paid. Moz Pro offers a free 30-day trial. Paid plans range from $90/month to $599/month, with a 20% discount for annual billing.
#4 Ubersuggest
Unlike the above SEO tools, Ubersuggest serves a specific purpose; keyword research. Developed by Neil Patel, this tool focuses on keyword volume, competition, Cost Per Click (CPC), and more. Moreover, it’s free, making it one of the best SEO tools to use in 2021.
Used for: Keyword research, for both SEO and Pay Per Click (PPC) campaigns.
Best for: Businesses of all sizes. Smaller businesses may value its ease of use more than larger or experienced businesses.
Pricing: Free.
#5 SpyFu
Formerly named GoogSpy, SpyFu also specializes in keyword research. As the name might suggest, it also delves into competitor analysis, “spying” on competitors’ keywords. Moreover, its features extend to domain comparisons, backlink checks, and solid data reporting.
Used for: Keyword research for SEO and PPC campaigns, competitor analysis, and more – albeit at a more modest scale.
Best for: Small to medium-sized businesses. Larger businesses may still use it, but may require deeper tools for large-scale campaigns.
Pricing: Paid. SpyFu’s plans range from $39/month to $129/month, with discounts for annual billing.
#6 Majestic
One of the oldest SEO tools around, Majestic remains one of the best SEO tools to use in 2021. While it mostly focuses on backlinks, Majestic also offers such features as an exceptional Site Explorer, and can be used as a keyword research and competitor analysis tool.
Used for: Backlink analysis and link-building, website analysis.
Best for: Businesses of all sizes. The relative difficulty of generating reports may deter inexperienced businesses, however.
Pricing: Paid. Majestic doesn’t offer free trials. Its paid plans range from $49.99/month for the Lite plan to $399.99/month for the API plan.
#7 SEOquake
Another free SEO toolbox, SEOquake is a very popular SEO browser extension. It currently boasts over 3 million downloads, and supports Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, and Opera browsers. This handy tool offers on-page analytics that include traffic volume and sources, backlinks, keywords, and more.
Used for: Competitor analysis, keyword research, and more.
Best for: Businesses of all sizes. Smaller businesses will value its wealth of free features more, but it does require some experience to fully utilize.
Pricing: Free.
#8 Long Tail Pro
Yet another focused tool, this one being Cloud-based, Long Tail Pro is one of the most trusted SEO tools available. As the name suggests, it focuses on long-tail keyword research to inform content strategies. Keyword analysis aside, it also offers competitor analysis tools to assist in climbing SERPs.
Used for: Keyword research and competitor analysis.
Best for: Businesses of all sizes that value long-tail keywords for SEO or PPC campaigns.
Pricing: Paid. Long Tail Pro’s plans range from $25/month to $98/month, with discounts for annual billing.
#9 KWFinder
A competitor to Long Tail Pro, Mangools’ KWFinder tool offers an excellent alternative for keyword research. It too offers keyword research and analysis tools, as well as rank analysis through its Rank Tracker tool. Moreover, it offers local keyword research for local SEO and peeks into competitor keywords.
Used for: Keyword research and competitor analysis.
Best for: Businesses of all sizes. Smaller and local businesses that value local SEO may value KWFinder more.
Pricing: Paid. KWFinder’s plans range from $49/month to $129/month, with a 40% discount for annual billing.
#10 Serpstat
Finally, Serpstat offers another all-in-one SEO platform. Just like its competitors, it offers a vast array of features spanning across more than 30 tools. These include tools for keyword research, rank tracking, competitor analysis, backlink analysis, site audits, and more. Coupled with competitive pricing, Serpstat is likely one of the best SEO tools to use in 2021 and beyond.
Used for: Keyword research, competitor analysis, link-building, site audits, and more.
Best for: Businesses of all sizes. Its deep features and learning curve may require some prior experience.
Pricing: Paid. Serpstat’s plans range from $55/month for Lite plans to $399/month for Enterprise plans, with a 20% discount for annual billing. Through its contact form, it also offers further options for businesses that need more than the Enterprise plans’ offerings.
Conclusion
This is, of course, not an exhaustive list. Depending on your business needs, scope, and budget, there are now more SEO tools to consider than ever before. From free to paid, and from browser extensions to standalone applications, options to boost traffic and enhance SEO abound. Still, the above should hopefully serve as a good starting point on your path to continued SEO success.