Why You Should Use Free SEO Tools?

When I first started managing my website, I thought consistency was the only thing that mattered.

I just wrote whatever came to mind, even personal reflections, without knowing what niche I wanted to stick with.

The result?

Google had no clue what my site was about, and I struggled to rank.

Things only started to change when I discovered free SEO tools.

I’ve been using them for years, and the best part is I’ve never spent any amount on keyword research or site audits.

And yet, some of my posts now rank at the top of Google.

Of course, these free tools have limitations compared to paid versions, but they are beginner-friendly and accessible.

They gave me the foundation I needed to finally see organic traffic.

What to Do Before Using Free Tools

Before you start keyword research, take time to:

1. Know your niche. This was my biggest mistake when I started blogging. Without a specific niche, my site was a mix of random topics that dragged it down. Once I cleaned up my blog and focused on a niche, Google started to understand my site better.
2. Understand search intent. Are people looking for information, solutions, or products? I once wrote an article that didn’t match user intent, and it failed to rank even though the keyword looked good. Matching your content to search intent is crucial.

Free SEO Tools I Use and How to Use Them

Google Keyword Planner

This tool is great for checking search volume and competition. Even though it was built for ads, I still use it for keyword ideas.

Just sign up for Google Ads, head to the Keyword Planner, and explore keywords related to your niche.

Go to Tools > Keyword Planner > Discover new keywords

Then type your primary keyword at “Start with keywords.” You can also choose “Start with a website” if you will try to compete with your competitors and look for the keywords that they are using.

Do not forget to choose the default language and the location that you are targeting so you can hit your target demographics.

Finally, click “Get results,” then you will see a bunch of keyword ideas that you can use for your content.

I mostly disregard other columns in here; I only focus on the keyword and Average monthly searches, as they are the only relevant columns for your research.

Ubersuggest

Ubersuggest is my go-to tool for keyword research, but I only use the free version. It shows keyword volume, difficulty, and even competitor pages’ ranking for the same keyword.

Just type your Website URL, Brand name, and topic or main keyword then go to Search AI Answers.

It seems that it changed its landing page as it was not like this before, but you can still get the same benefits as a free trial user.

After searching for your keyword, check the “Keyword research” and “Keyword Overview” on the left side of the screen.

You will see that I checked for the keyword “SEO”. From this dashboard, you will see the volume and difficulty of the chosen keyword.

It will also show the keyword and content ideas.

As you can see, there are more results considering that you are only using their free version, which is why this is my go-to tool when doing my keyword research.

Screaming Frog

This is one of the best free SEO tools I’ve tried. It scans your site to find broken links, 404 errors, and areas where technical SEO can be improved.

The free version crawls up to 500 URLs, so be mindful of unnecessary pages that waste crawl credits.

I once discovered irrelevant pages and broken links through Screaming Frog, and fixing them made a real difference in my rankings.

There are a lot of results going on in Screaming Frog at first, but when you master how to use them, you will realize how easy it is to do a site audit for your website.

Google Related Searches and People Also Ask

This is the simplest tool of all, but very powerful. I usually type my target keyword into Google, then scroll down to see related searches or check the “People Also Ask” section.

These are real queries people use, and I use them as inspiration for new blog posts or supporting keywords.

Actionable Plan You Can Follow

If you want to start keyword research today without spending money, here’s a simple plan:

1. Pick your niche. Write down what your blog or website is really about.
2. List your seed keywords. Think of basic words related to your niche.
3. Use Google Keyword Planner. Check volumes and competition.
4. Cross-check with Ubersuggest. Look at keyword difficulty and competitor pages.
5. Scan your site with Screaming Frog. Clean up broken links and optimize your titles and tags.
6. Get more ideas from Google. Use Related Searches and People Also Ask to expand your keyword list.
7. Create content. Write posts that answer questions, solve problems, and provide more value than your competitors.

Do this consistently, and you’ll start to see traffic over time, even with just free tools.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I rely only on free SEO tools?
Yes, especially if you’re just starting. Free tools are enough to learn the basics and get traffic.

2. Do I need to pay for SEO tools to rank on Google?
Not at the beginning. I ranked with free tools, but investing in paid ones later can give you an advantage.

3. Which free SEO tool should I start with?
Start with Google Keyword Planner. It’s free and easy to use.

4. How often should I do keyword research?
I recommend doing it every time you plan a new blog post, and at least once a month to check for new opportunities.

5. What’s the biggest mistake beginners make with free tools?
Not having a clear niche and writing about random topics. Without focus, even the best tools won’t help.

Conclusion

Free SEO tools may not be as advanced as paid ones, but they are more than enough to get started.

I know because I’ve been using them for years, and they helped me rank some of my articles at the top of Google.

If you’re just starting, take advantage of these tools first.

Later on, when you’re ready to invest, you can upgrade to paid versions to level up your SEO game.