SEO Suite Software

Buyer's guide - what to look for in SEO Suite software

Perhaps you own a home based internet business and are looking to increase your website traffic? Perhaps you have been made responsible for website marketing in your organisation and are starting to learn the basics? Perhaps you are an SEO or SEM consultant looking to automate tasks and generate reports? Whatever your motivation or level of expertise, you need a dedicated SEO software suite.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) - sometimes referred to as Search Engine Marketing (SEM) - is a broad subject. There are many facets to the field, which cover everything from keyword selection, search engine and directory submission, link building and PPC campaigns to rank reporting and competitor analysis.

With such a diversity of areas, SEO software packages have naturally evolved into suites of modules, each of which cover a specific task. Most users will not need all of the modules, but instead pick those that are most relevant to them and their business.

A good package will give you an array of tools that will have an immediate impact on your SEO efforts and reward you with increase traffic. The modules should eliminate all repetitive tasks and report on progress so that you can evaluate success. Since SEO is a specialist subject, bundled training and/or tutorials and guides is a bonus.

Here's what to look for when buying SEO software:

• Keyword research - Regarded as the essential first step in an SEO campaign, keyword research will allow you to find the keywords and phrases that your customers are using, and to identify those that provide the greatest chance of success. Tools can range from simple suggestion generators to comprehensive competitor analysis.


• Optimization advice - Tools that generate suggestions on how to better optimize your website. Areas include title and meta tag analysis, keyword density, HTML structure and validity. Reports tend to break down advice by search engine. Some software will allow you to compare your optimization to a competitor website, allowing you to more closely mirror their set-up and benefit from their success and avoid their failings.


• Link building - While optimization of your site is important, it is widely accepted that inbound links are the most important area of SEO. Good SEO software will help you organize a link building campaign by identifying possible partners, managing the email exchange and monitoring the existence of links once placed online.


• Submission tools - While most existing websites will be listed by the major search engines, there are a wealth of smaller directories, article repositories and search services that are worth a small amount of effort. Submission tools should automate the process as much as possible, and help you manage those that need to be completed manually.


• Pay-Per-Click management - Pay-Per-Click is a fast-track way to traffic and is becoming an increasingly popular form of online marketing for all kinds of businesses. Specialist tools are available to manage PPC campaigns, however SEO suites are beginning to bundle tools that serve the same purpose.


• Rank reporting - Use your keywords to generate ranking reports. Track your natural search engine positions over time and be alerted if key listings slip. Many titles also allow you to compare your success against competitor websites.


• Help and support - As with all software, sometimes you will require assistance. Whether it's a lost software key or software failure you should look for a responsive vendor. Comprehensive online help files, tutorials and training material or user forum are a bonus Telephone or live-chat support are also recommended.

Some suites will focus more heavily on in some areas than others, however the list above comprise of the core modules that you should look for. Consider whether you will benefit from any extra functions, and how they impact on the overall price of the suite.

Most SEO software offers a free trial or a free edition of the software. Although limited, free software can provide most of the tools required for a beginner or amateur user until a greater depth of research and reporting is required.