Introduction
In this post, I’ll share my top free SEO tools that I personally use and recommend, especially for startups, freelancers, bloggers, and small businesses looking to grow without burning a hole in their pocket.
1. Google Search Console
Best for: Monitoring your site’s performance in Google search
Why I recommend it: As an SEO consultant based in Calicut, I always start with Google Search Console. It tells you what keywords you’re ranking for, how often users are seeing your site, and which pages get the most clicks. It also alerts you to indexing issues, mobile usability errors, and more.
2. Google Analytics
Best for: Tracking user behavior and traffic sources
Why it matters for local SEO in Calicut: Knowing where your visitors come from — whether it’s Kozhikode, Kochi, or even outside India — can help you tailor your content and marketing. Google Analytics integrates perfectly with Search Console to provide a full picture of user journeys.
3. Screaming Frog SEO Spider (Free Version)
Best for: Technical SEO audits
This powerful desktop tool crawls up to 500 pages in the free version. It helps identify broken links, duplicate content, missing meta tags, and more — all vital for improving on-page SEO.
As an SEO expert in Calicut, I use Screaming Frog regularly to audit client websites and fix technical issues that could be hurting their rankings.
4. Ahrefs Free Backlink Checker
Best for: Viewing your site’s top backlinks
Backlinks are a key ranking factor. This free tool from Ahrefs shows you the top 100 backlinks to any domain. You can also check your competitors’ backlinks and use those insights to build your own strategy.
5. Ubersuggest (Freemium)
Best for: Keyword research and competitor analysis
Created by Neil Patel, Ubersuggest is beginner-friendly and offers valuable data on keyword difficulty, search volume, and content ideas. The free version limits daily searches, but it’s enough for most small sites.
6. MozBar
Best for: Quick on-page SEO and domain authority check
This browser extension lets you instantly view a website’s domain authority (DA), page authority (PA), and on-page elements like title tags and alt text. It’s great for competitor research and quick audits.