SEO tools or search engine optimization tools are the instruments used to generate more traffic for a particular website through the medium of search engines. The higher a website ranks in the search engine results, the better the chances of its visibility. Usage of these tools is directed at specific search engines in order to get the maximum results. These tools have become an indispensable part of Internet marketing strategy today.

Search engine optimization techniques are broadly classified into white hat and black hat. When a website makes use of the techniques that have been approved by a search engine and banks on quality content and other relevant SEO tools to draw a greater number of visitors, it falls under the white hat technique. Black hat SEO technique on the other hand, involves deceptive methods to attract traffic.

Keyword Research Tools

The backbone of a webpage is its content. There is no alternative to high quality content. But this needs to be supported by proper keyword usage which is actually the ‘key’ to better rankings. While developing a website, a search engine optimizer has to conduct an in depth research about keywords that need to be included in the content. This is because the key word is one of the prime SEO tools in determining search engine rankings. There are several keyword research tools that are good for this purpose. Google Adwords Keyword tool and SEO Book Keyword Tool are some popular ones. It is necessary to keep a track of keyword density in the content too.

Search Engine rank checkers

It is also necessary to determine how the search engines project websites with respect to specific keyword searches. This provides an idea about what makes the difference when the anchor text, secondary keywords and domain authority are given weightage. This is where search engine rank checkers come in, some of the popular ones being, Google Webmaster Central and SEO Book Rank Checker.

Web analytic tools

One of the most important SEO tools, are the search analytic tools. These are used to get an idea of web analytics which includes a careful study and analysis of Internet data in order to optimize websites properly. With this data at your disposal, you can easily determine your plan based on facts and figures. Google Analytics is one of the most widely used tools in this regard.

Pay Per Click

SEO tools like PPC or pay per click also help in drawing traffic. Websites target specific keywords and they are hyperlinked with a website. Advertisers pay the host website, only when the user clicks on the projected link. Some of the prominent PPC tools include Google Website Optimizer, PPC Analytic tools, Google Adwords Editor and Speed PPC.

Link Analysis Tools

Search engine optimizers also make use of link analysis tools as part of SEO tools. Some of the link analysis tools that they frequently resort to include Google Webmaster Central, Advanced Link Manager, Yahoo site Explorer, Xenu Link Sleuth, Google Blog Search and SEO link Analysis. All these SEO tools serve the purpose of drawing maximum traffic and generating revenues for a website.