Checking your website’s SEO performance is essential for creating a data-driven SEO strategy. It’s the only way to ensure your site ranks for valuable keywords and drives organic traffic. Without regular monitoring, you’re essentially flying blind.
In this blog, you’ll learn how to check website SEO using both free and paid tools to uncover insights that can boost your rankings.
How to Check Website SEO
To check your website’s SEO effectively, you need to rely on accurate tools to track key performance indicators.
Starting with free options like Google Search Console (GSC) and Google Analytics (GA) is a great approach. These tools help you understand how to check website SEO by showing search rankings, traffic sources, and other essential metrics.
However, as you dive deeper into analysis, you might consider a professional SEO audit to gain a more comprehensive view. While exploring this, it’s essential to factor in the SEO audit cost based on the level of insights and services offered by each tool or agency.
Advanced paid tools like Semrush, Ahrefs, and Moz Pro also provide valuable insights that can complement these audits.
Why Tracking SEO Performance is Crucial
Understanding how to check website SEO performance is essential for assessing the success of your strategy. Monitoring lets you see if your site is achieving high rankings for valuable keywords.
Keep in mind that the difference between ranking first and third on Google can have a major impact on your traffic.
For businesses focused on a specific area, focusing on local SEO is equally crucial. Optimizing for local searches not only improves rankings but also boosts visibility among nearby customers. In fact, effective local SEO increases profits by attracting highly targeted leads.
According to Backlinko, the top-ranked result in Google’s SERP generates 39.8% of the click-through rate, while the third-ranking result gets only 10.2%. Checking your website SEO frequently keeps you in control of these crucial metrics.
Best Free Tools to Check Your Website’s SEO
Using free tools to understand how to check website SEO is a great starting point for most businesses. Google Search Console and Google Analytics are essential resources that can show you how well your site is performing in search results.
Google Search Console (GSC)
GSC is a free platform provided by Google that tracks your website’s performance on its search engine. It gives you detailed insights into your website’s SEO by highlighting your search terms, rankings, impressions, and clicks for each URL.
Pros:
- Domain Performance Tracking: Allows you to see which search terms your website ranks for on Google’s search engine.
- URL-specific Analysis: Provides detailed data on each URL’s ranking, clicks, and impressions.
Cons:
- Google-centric Data: GSC focuses solely on Google’s organic traffic, which is missing insights from other sources.
Google Analytics (GA)
Google Analytics is another free tool from Google that gives comprehensive reports on all traffic sources, user behavior, and conversions. It complements GSC by showing your website’s SEO from a broader perspective, considering traffic from various channels.
Pros:
- All Traffic Sources: Shows traffic from all channels, including paid search, social media, and direct visits.
- Detailed User Behavior: Provides in-depth reports on page views, bounce rates, and conversions.
Cons:
- Complex Setup: Requires more technical setup to connect with other tools for comprehensive insights.
Paid Tools for In-Depth SEO Analysis
If you’re ready to invest, several paid tools provide advanced insights on how to check website SEO effectively.
Here are three highly recommended options:
Semrush
Semrush is a popular SEO tool known for its robust keyword tracking, backlink analysis, and competitor research features. It’s ideal for businesses looking to optimize their rankings across various search terms.
Pros:
- Comprehensive SERP Data: Provides in-depth keyword data, rank tracking, and technical audits.
- Backlink Management: Tracks backlink profiles and monitors their effectiveness in SEO.
Cons:
- Learning Curve: Some features may require training to be used efficiently.
Ahrefs
Ahrefs specializes in offering up-to-date keyword insights and competitor analysis using its proprietary AhrefsBot web crawler. It’s known for providing reliable and current SEO information.
Pros:
- Extensive Keyword Tracking: Includes daily updates and precise ranking data for each keyword.
- Competitor Analysis: Tracks competitors’ backlinks and keyword strategies for competitive insights.
Cons:
- High Price Point: Can be expensive, especially for smaller businesses.
Moz Pro
Moz Pro is an all-in-one SEO toolkit with features like rank tracking, site crawling, and keyword research. It’s a user-friendly tool that helps improve site performance effectively.
Pros:
- Customizable Reports: Allows you to generate reports tailored to specific metrics and goals.
- Technical SEO Audits: Helps find technical issues that impact rankings.
Cons:
- Limited Keyword Database: Covers fewer keywords than some competitors.
Tips for Improving SEO Based on Insights
After you’ve learned how to check website SEO, it’s time to act on your findings. Regular monitoring and strategic updates are necessary to maintain and improve your rankings.
You can also partner with digital marketing agencies like Informatic to handle all of your digital marketing needs effectively.
Use these tips to make the most of your SEO insights:
- Update content regularly to include new information, multimedia, or user questions.
- Optimize on-page SEO by updating meta tags, headings, and internal links.
- Enhance site speed with image optimization, caching, and reducing redirects.
- Monitor competitors to identify areas for improvement and new opportunities.
- Perform technical audits to address issues like broken links, duplicate content, and mobile compatibility.
Conclusion
Consistently checking and improving your website’s SEO is essential to stay competitive. Learning how to check website SEO with reliable tools lets you track progress and adapt quickly. By leveraging the right tools and insights and seeking assistance from digital marketing agencies like Informatic, you can boost your rankings, drive more organic traffic, and achieve sustainable growth in your industry.
FAQs
Why should I check my website’s SEO regularly?
Regular checks help you track performance and discover opportunities to improve rankings and increase organic traffic.
How do free SEO tools compare with paid ones?
Free tools are great for basic insights, while paid ones offer advanced analysis, competitive research, and in-depth reporting.
How often should I monitor my website’s SEO?
Check your website’s SEO at least once a month or after implementing significant changes to see their impact.
What’s the most critical SEO metric to track?
Keyword rankings are vital, but tracking organic traffic, conversion rates, and user engagement are equally important for a balanced strategy.
Can I check my website SEO without paid tools?
Yes, using free tools like Google Search Console and Google Analytics can give you a solid understanding of your site’s performance.
