A Guide To SEO Rank Tracking Tools
Every online business owner would like to monitor their work progress and adjust their SEO strategy accordingly. It is where SEO rank tracking tools come into play as it offers invaluable insights for SEO. Nevertheless, with a significant number of rank trackers available in the market, it can sometimes be overwhelming to choose the right one. As such, this article by real Manchester SEO professionals provides a comprehensive guide to SEO rank tracking tools.
Understanding Keyword Ranking
Keyword ranking plays a critical role in your web traffic, lead generation, and conversions. Studies have shown that users click on the first result page when using the search engine. As such, it is essential to have higher rankings on the search engine result page.
When it comes to keyword rank, one of the questions most website owners would ask is how to improve keyword ranking. On the other hand, the search engine result page keeps on changing, which means you will have to create new content continually. Again, it brings the question of how to keep track of your keyword rankings.
The answers to these questions lie in SEO rank tracking tools. You can either use organic or paid rank tracker tools to enhance your keyword rankings.
What Is A Keyword Tracking Tool?
SEO keyword tracking tools are online tools and software that allows you to track your website’s keyword rankings on search engine results. It is a reliable platform where you can track keyword rankings across several websites and search engines. Using a rank tracking tool will help you outrank your competitors and identify opportunities that can significantly increase profit and help your business grow.
No doubt, you can track your keyword position with the help of Google search queries. However, this process is not scalable and time-consuming, as it involves analyzing a lot of data. Consequently, using a rank tracking tool will be the best option for you.
But what should you consider when looking for a rank tracking tool? You should note that you will be using the rank tracker’s data in making crucial decisions for your company. Your SEO rank tracker should provide you with quality data, and it should update the data continuously. Most rank tracking tools give daily or weekly updates to present you with the latest information. Besides, your rank tracker should be capable of tracking a significant amount of keywords that are relevant for your business. These are some essential things to consider before selecting an SEO rank tracking tool.
Main Types of Rank Tracking Tools:
We can classify rank tracking tools into three main types based on its installation:
- Web Browser Plug-Ins:
It is software that performs as an add-on to your web browser. It extends the functionality of your web browser. The only one of its kind is the Firefox Rank Checker Extension.
Pros:
One of the most significant advantages of using Plug-Ins is that it can disguise as a web browser. You should note that search engines like Google do not like rank trackers. As such, Google will not be able to detect it. The reason is that this rank tracking tool runs within Firefox, and it will appear like Firefox to Google.
Another pro is that it runs instantly. As such, if you want to identify your keyword ranking quickly, this rank tracking tool will be the right option for you.
Cons:
This rank tracking tool is not the best option for running a significant amount of keywords. Often, it can get blocked from search engines when handling a large number of Keywords.
- Desktop Applications:
If you want a rank tracking tool that can run a large number of keywords without getting blocked from a search engine, consider this rank tracker tool. These are applications that you can install on your desktop or computer. It does not need a web browser. These programs can accomplish the task by either using a rotating list of IP addresses or by adding pauses between queries.
Some examples of desktop applications include Advanced Web Ranking, WebCEO, Internet Business Promoter, and SEO Smart Suite. You can also use these tools for other purposes, such as keyword research or backlink analysis.
Pros:
Unlike the first type, you can use this rank tracking tool for running a significant amount of keywords. Besides, it does not get blocked from a search engine.
Cons:
One of the disadvantages of this rank tracking tool is that you cannot speed up the process as it will affect human emulation. Besides, it can be costly if you want to increase the number of IP addresses.
- Web-Based SaaS Solutions:
This type of rank tracking tool avoids the difficulties of maintaining several IP addresses. The reason is that it runs on a subscription-based serve, and it does not run on your computer. Some of these services provide multiple capabilities, while others mainly aim at rank tracking.
Pros:
One of the advantages of using web-based solutions is that they are secure to use and require less maintenance. You can also use this tool not only for tracking local results but also for international results. Besides, it controls IP rotation for you.
Cons:
Using this rank tracking tool tends to be costlier in comparison to the other rank trackers. Most of these web-based services run on a server; thus, if you are immediate results, it is not an ideal choice. Moreover, it is more suitable for a large SEO company or a sizable digital marketing agency.
Conclusion
Using a rank tracking tool can considerably save time for you, and you do not have to sift through a lot of data. However, we can give you a straightforward answer on which rank tracking tool will be the best. The reason is that they differ when it comes to cost and capabilities. As such, you should choose the one that meets your needs and requirements.
The above-listed points are some of the best rank tracking tools available in the market and are by no means an exhaustive list. We hope this guide has helped you understand the basics of SEO rank tracking tools.