What SEO Tools do I need?

What tools does one need to be effective at SEO

[Kings on steeds]

Hi have just started a job doing inhouse seo for a security company, and i know all the theory and how to make my point, but i need to know what software is best to use to moniter positions, get page counts, see keywords distributions ect.. there seems to be 10,000 out there and would like to know which ones people find best?

[I am awear WebmasterWorld doesn't let people post links, if product names are prohibited as-well can a mod-change this to "Private message me"]

Many Thanks,
Alan

[abilitydesigns]

FREE:

G webmaster central + G analytics
Google adwords keyword tool
G trends
G insights
Seobook keyword tool
G sktool
spyfu

Yahoo site explorer
Link diagnosis / backlinkwatch/domain pop
G advanced search operators
Seobook toolbar
Web developer toolbar
seoquake / quirk search status addon

PAID:
seomoz tools
hubfinder from seobook
Semrush

If you have more money to splurge:
SeoElite
IBP
KeywordElite

"PRICELESS:
Eyes / brain / analytical mindset to extract actionable insights from data given by tools

Hope this gets you started.
-
AD

[makemetop]

Interesting question. My first reaction was "we don't need no steenkin' tools.." but then I thought "don't I - what outside technology do I actually use.."

And they were:

Keyword research tools - free from most search engines and there are some excellent paid subscription ones too.

Analytics software (lots of options out there both free and paid) - so you can actually see what is happening. So much better than chasing rankings, chase converting traffic! I haven't checked ranks in over 7 years for anything anywhere. There is no need, analytics tells you what words are ranking, how effective that ranking is and how effective in getting conversions those words are!

Checking for backlinks - again, you can do that via search engines for free or there are tools to use.

Apart from that, there is really no overwhelming piece of general technology for SEO that I can think of that you need to do your job.

I could, of course, stand to be corrected!

[brickmarketing]

I think Google analytics really gives you the most valuable information out there and the best part is that it is free to use. Keyword research tools are a dime a dozen out there but it all depends on which one you feel most comfortable using. Everything else I wouldn't worry about.

[Bulletproof WEB]

Seobook keyword tool is my favorite for SEO

[sevamaster]

Try <url removed>
There are many seo tools which will help you in your seo

[edited by: encyclo at 1:43 am (utc) on Dec. 9, 2009]
[edit reason] no links to personal sites please, see terms of service [/edit]