11 Best SEO Tools for Driving Organic Traffic in 2024

The path to high rankings and increased organic traffic becomes increasingly difficult for teams and brands as the ranking algorithms continually evolve.

This is where SEO tools step in, allowing you to accurately identify areas of improvement and build effective, actionable strategies to increase brand awareness through search results.

In this article, let’s delve into a curated list of the 12 top SEO tools that are pivotal for enhancing your website’s rankings and expanding your brand visibility on search.

1. Ahrefs

Disclosure: I work at Ahrefs, so I might be a tad biased, but I’ll strive to keep this overview as neutral as possible.

Regarded as one of the best (if not the best) backlink analysis tools, Ahrefs provides a comprehensive SEO solution suitable for businesses of all sizes. It covers everything from keyword research and content planning to auditing the technical aspects of the website’s SEO.

The tool occupies the apex spot on my list due to its well-integrated ecosystem that supports a data-driven approach to SEO, a proven track record consisting of leading brands such as HubSpot, Dell, and Accenture, and an in-depth knowledge base that educates its users not just about the functionalities of the tool but also about the nuances of SEO.

Pros of Ahrefs:

• All-in-one toolkit suitable for most SEO operations.
• Extensive database for backlinks and keywords.
• User-friendly interface with in-depth tutorials.
• Regularly updated with new features and data.
• Strong community support with active forums and educational resources.

Cons of Ahrefs:

• Can be on the pricier side if you need only certain tools.
• Advanced features might take time to get used to.

Ahrefs provides several tiered plans to accommodate various needs and budgets. It starts with a basic setup for beginners at $99 per month and scales up to more advanced options designed for large enterprises and agencies, priced at $999 per month. You can save up to 17% by opting for an annual payment.

Ahrefs is ideal for SEO professionals and marketers who need a comprehensive toolset for in-depth SEO campaigns. It’s also great for businesses that rely heavily on organic search traffic and want to invest in a tool that will grow with them.

2. Moz

Moz offers a variety of tools, including site audits to uncover technical SEO issues, rank tracking across various search engines, backlink analysis with detailed metrics, and extensive keyword research capabilities in its suite.

Pros of Moz:

• Moz Pro provides on-demand crawling to identify and suggest fixes for SEO issues.
• It allows tracking of numerous keywords, helping you understand and improve your search engine visibility.
• With a strong link index, Moz offers insights into any site’s backlinks, including anchor text and Domain Authority.

Cons of Moz:

• Compared to other tools on this list, this offers a relatively smaller keyword and backlink database.
• For small businesses or individual users, the cost may be a consideration, especially when starting out.

Its pricing plans are designed to cater to different needs, from standard ($59/month, billed annually) to premium ($359/month, billed annually), with the flexibility to choose monthly or yearly billing.

Moz is particularly suitable for small to mediaum businesses that require a comprehensive set of SEO tools for in-depth website analysis, strategic planning, and execution.

3. Google Search Console

Google Search Console (GSC) provides SEO specialists and webmasters with a definitive overview of how Google views their websites and helps them improve their organic rankings through a suite of reports and tools.

Pros of GSC:

• Direct from Google, it tells you how your site is perceived in search results.
• Automatically detects and alerts you to site issues that could affect rankings.
• Shows which queries bring users to your site, helping to tailor your content strategy.

Cons of GSC:

• New users may find the dashboard and tools complex.
• Lack if personalised support means you’re often on your own to resolve issues.
• Additional analysis tools may be required for further deep dive.

This is a free tool, making it an excellent resource for anyone with a blog, regardless of budget.

Overall, GSC is indispensable for anyone responsible for a website’s performance in Google search, including content creators, SEO professionals, and site administrators.

4. SE Ranking

SE Ranking presents itself as an all-in-one SEO platform tailored for agency use, but it’s versatile enough for any serious SEO professional. It boasts a comprehensive suite of tools that cover everything from keyword tracking to backlink monitoring and competitor analysis.

Pros of SE Ranking:

• Users can perform a 360° SEO analysis of their sites.
• Designed for ease of use without compromising on functionality.
• Allows for customized white-label client reports, enhancing professional presentation.

Cons of SE Ranking:

• The breadth of tools available can be overwhelming for beginners.
• Certain features require additional purchases, which can add up.

Pricing for SE Ranking is designed with flexibility in mind, starting at $44 per month, billed annually, to $191.20 per month, billed annually. The platform offers various plans to suit different needs, from basic keyword tracking to comprehensive agency packs.

SE Ranking is suitable for a range of users, from medium businesses to large agencies looking for a robust toolset that can scale with their growth.

5. Screaming Frog

Screaming Frog is designed to audit your site for SEO issues and is compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux. The tool is particularly adept at crawling both small and large websites efficiently, allowing real-time analysis of results.

Pros of Screaming Frog:

• Flexible site crawling, ideal for both small and large sites.
• Offers immediate insights through real-time analysis into SEO issues.
• Crawl up to 500 URLs at no cost.

Cons of Screaming Frog:

• May be technically challenging.
• Runs on your computer, so it can be demanding on your system, especially for large sites.

Screaming Frog offers a free version with a 500 URL crawl limit, which is perfect for small websites. For larger sites and access to advanced features, they provide a paid license ($259) that lasts for a year before renewal is required.

Screaming Frog is ideal for SEO professionals and agencies that require deep dives into website analysis and are comfortable with a more technical toolset.

6. Semrush

Semrush’s robust solution supports a wide array of SEO activities, from keyword research to social media marketing.

Pros of Semrush:

• Semrush’s keyword database is vast, offering valuable data for SEO campaigns.
• It excels in breaking down competitors’ SEO strategies.
• The toolkit includes several tools beyond SEO as part of the package.

Cons of Semrush:

• Quite a few tools are available at additional cost.
• Some users find their interface and navigation confusing.

7. AnswerThePublic

AnswerThePublic taps into the autocomplete data from search engines to provide a group of phrases and questions that people are asking around specific keywords which is a treasure trove of consumer insights that can be leveraged for creating content that resonates with your audience.

Pros of AnswerThePublic:

• Real-life questions for content inspiration.
• Helps in identifying less competitive search queries.
• Frequent updates on new search terms and trends.

Cons of AnswerThePublic:

• Not all suggestions are relevant at times.
• Some insights might require further analysis to be actionable.

AnswerThePublic offers a unique lifetime access deal, ranging from $50 to $990 which is a one-time payment option that can be cheaper than the annual subscriptions of its competitors.

This tool is ideal for content creators, marketers, and SEO professionals who want to create highly relevant and targeted content based on actual search queries.

8. Majestic

Majestic is one of the oldest backlink checkers on the market. It provides SEO insights through its extensive link intelligence database.
Pros of Majestic:

• Their Trust Flow and Citation Flow metrics are still valued by many SEO professionals.
• Access to a vast archive of historical backlink data.
• Many other tools and platforms provide integration with Majestic

Cons of Majestic:

• Less intuitive user interface.
• Only focused on links and link-building aspects of SEO.

Majestic offers a tiered pricing structure starting with the Lite plan ($41.67/month, billed annually), ideal for beginners, and scaling up to the API plan ($333.33/month, billed annually) that cater to professionals and agencies.

It’s particularly suitable for SEO professionals and agencies focused on link-building strategies and those who require in-depth analysis of backlink profiles for competitive insights.

9. WooRank

WooRank steps into the SEO scene as a robust tool for website analysis and optimization. It’s crafted to dissect your site’s performance and offer clear directives for enhancement.

Pros of WooRank:

• Instantaneous website evaluations.
• Integrated keyword and site crawling tools.
• Intuitive design with straightforward advice.

Cons of WooRank:

• Limited backlink analysis.
• Technical SEO audits may not cover more advanced issues.

WooRank offers a Pro ($53.25/month, billed annually), Premium ($133.25/month, billed annually), and an Enterprise (customizable) plan.

Ideal for a spectrum of businesses, WooRank is a fit for anyone from a solo entrepreneur to a sprawling enterprise.

10. Fathom Analytics

Fathom Analytics is a privacy-centric web analytics tool that offers website owners insights without tracking or storing the personal data of visitors.
Pros of Fathom Analytics:

• No personal data collection means no need for cookie consent banners.
• Simple and intuitive dashboard for easy navigation and understanding.
• Built to comply with GDPR, PECR, and more, easing legal concerns.

Cons of Fathom Analytics:

• May not offer as granular data as some other analytics tools.
• Can be costlier than some basic analytics options, especially for high-traffic sites.

Fathom Analytics offers a tiered pricing structure based on monthly page views, starting at $14/month for up to 100,000 views and scaling up to $274/month for up to 25 million views.

It’s ideal for small to medium-sized businesses, bloggers, and freelancers who need reliable insights without the complexity of more in-depth analytics tools.

11. Serpstat

Serpstat comes with multiple features to enhance your site’s visibility, from keyword research to site audits and competitor analysis.
Pros of Serpstat:

• Runs on a robust database of links and keywords.
• Provides good value for the money.
• Assists in creating content with AI that’s optimized for search engines.

Cons of Serpstat:

• Some users find their user interface slightly archaic and confusing.

Serpstat’s pricing structure is designed to cater to a variety of users, starting from $45/month to $335/month, billed annually, from SEO professionals and marketers to large enterprises.

Wrapping up

No seasoned SEO professional can operate effectively without the right SEO tool that aligns with their objectives, workflow, and budget.

Yet, it’s crucial not to become overly fixated on finding the perfect SEO tool, as tools alone are insufficient without the complementing elements of experience, knowledge, and common sense. Remember, it’s the synergy of expertise and tools that truly propels successful SEO strategies.