This is the fourth and final part of The SEO Tutorial. You've built a website, managed some link building, and now, you're (a) wondering whether your site is making any progress in SEO, and (b) wondering where you can get more SEO information. Check out these tools and websites, which represent the best on the web for SEO purposes.
SEO Tools
Google Webmaster Central - Though more secretive than Yahoo about how many inbound links you have, once you verify your site with them, you can get a wealth of info on errors that Google has found on your site. You also get to see the phrases people are linking to you with, as well as the most common words you use on your site. A number of great diagnostic tools as well.
Yahoo Site Explorer - Quickly find out how many inbound links your site is getting and where they are coming from. You can check other sites as well. If you validate your site with them, you can get even more info on how Yahoo is analyzing your site.
Xinu - An incredibly easy and quick way to check rankings, validation, backlinks, social bookmarks, etc.
Google Analytics - An amazing, free analytic tool to see how all your traffic gets to your site and where they go.
Mint Analytics - A simpler and easier to use, though non-free (but only $30 a site), analytic tool to easily see how people are getting to your site and what search keywords they are coming in through.
Website Health Check - Good way to check for things like duplicate page titles, missing pages, etc.
Digital Point Keyword Rank Tool - A free way to track your website and keyword rankings over time.
Advanced Web Ranking - Will cost you $99, but a good way to easily track keyword rankings across multiple search engines for multiple websites over time.
SEO for Firefox Plugin - A plugin that shows you comprehensive inbound link numbers when you are using a search engine
Back Link Check - Check to see your inbound links and the pagerank of those inbound links.
Search Engine Position - A quick way to find out where your site ranks for a certain keyword on Google.
SEOmoz Tools - A number of very helpful and unique SEO tools. Some are free, but the best ones require a premium membership. You can get 1 month for $49.
SEO Websites
SEO Book - Home of the most comprehensive book on SEO (and worth the $80 price tag considering normal SEO consultant fees). Aaron Wall has a lot of good advice and tools here as well.
Search Engine Land - A news blog that keeps up-to-date with any and all information related to search marketing and search engine optimization.
SEOmoz - A highly educational website focused primarily on SEO. Great tools and articles including the recent and very helpful Search Engine Ranking Factors.
Search Engine Watch Forums - For you forum junkies, a great variety of traffic and tips. Not as organized as the previous three sites, but that's why it's a forum, right?
Other sites you may want to check out are Search Engine Journal, Pandia, and Sphinn.
Community Comments
Jeremy
