Any business owner with a fundamental knowledge of search engine optimisation knows that keywords are vital to digital success. When consumers use search engines like Google, they search for specific phrases and words, and these keywords create the link between the consumer and a well-optimised website.
A solid keyword strategy will increase the possibility of being featured on a search engine’s results page. With this notion in mind, it is important to understand how your strategy is performing through the use of keyword tracking tools. However, there are so many tracking tools available that it can be hard to tell which one is best for your business.
We have decided to make the choice a little easier for you by providing a list of the four great rank checker tools in 2020.
1. SEMrush
SEMrush is a longstanding favourite for marketers across the globe, as it doesn’t differentiate between your site and competitors’ sites. SEMrush is simple to operate: using the tool’s search bar, you can easily ask SEMrush to rank your website’s Google and Bing results by providing its URL. When the keywords are in, you can then compare them to how competitors’ sites and pages rank by selecting a specific keyword.
2. Ahrefs
Another marketer’s favourite, Ahrefs is best utilised in conjunction with another keyword ranking tool, as its primary focus is on backlinks, however, Ahrefs still performs very well as a keyword ranking tool. You’ll be able to see what external links your competitors are using, as well as their IPs and top pages. Ahrefs also provides users with outstanding customer service and support, so you’ll never find it too difficult to operate this handy tool.
Ahrefs includes an awesome suite of features, but when used as a keyword tool its main function is to find the keyword/s your site is ranking on. You will also be able to see which country’s search engine results you want the tool to analyse for your website, meaning you will receive a localised SEO report. This feature is largely underrated in digital marketing, as many business owners don’t understand that they will most likely rank higher in their own country, as this is their target market.
3. Cleverstats’ Free Monitor for Google
Cleverstats hosts a number of search engine optimisation tools, both free and premium. Their Free Monitor for Google is an open source keyword rank tracking tool developed for specialists and webmasters. It allows you to track your site’s keyword ranking for popular keywords, as well as to see where your strengths are so that you can use them for future marketing endeavours.
The software also contains statistics for a list of keywords as well as several URLs, and you’ll be able to save your reports to a CSV. The free version is perfect for marketers looking to understand where they rank in a search engine and where they can improve. There is a paid version, which contains advanced statistics, notes, plugins and an easily-operated dashboard, but if you’re looking for something lite and effective, the free version should do the job.
4. Small SEO Tools
Small SEO Tools is an awesome online search engine optimisation tool that is free to use. As opposed to just a keyword rank checker, it’s a full suite of easy-to-use SEO tools. Small SEO Tools contains an article rewriter, plagiarism checker, grammar checker, spell checker, backlink maker, backlink checker, keyword density checker and, of course, the all-important ranking checker.
Each tool is indexed on the right side of the website for easy access, not unlike a keyword ranking tool’s dashboard. All you have to do is provide a URL, select which search engine you would like to analyse, and select up to 10 keywords at a time. You can also select the range of pages you want to check, within groups of 10 to 40, before completing a Captcha and clicking the “Check Position” button. Results may take a few minutes to load depending on the size of your analysis, but they do provide you with a clear understanding of where your keywords are ranking.
Conclusion
With so many rank checker tools available in 2020, it can be easy to become overwhelmed when deciding which one is best for your business. But the above-listed tools are a great place to start for marketers looking to see how their website is performing as well as develop future keyword strategies.
