SEO and PPC Toolchest

As a service to visitors who wish to do their own web promotions, and a ready resource for our workshop students, here is a brief list of some of the tools we use.

You may consider this list as an endorsement of the highest order, as we've checked out each of the tools and vendors and found them to be reputable, solid software and services that will save you time and money in your web promotion.

A majority of these tools are software that we use in our own practice and workshops.

Keyword Research

Overture Search Suggestion Tool - this one is a freebie to give you an idea of what terms are searched, and in what volume. A prerequisite to pay per click bidding at Overture to help establish budgets. 

Note: The phrases are sometimes, actually most of the time in alphabetical order, rather than as they are typed in. For example, search for the term "CD blanks" , and you get most terms "blank CD" etc. Also note this tool does not differentiate between singular and plural, and actually drops the final s on some words. Still a great pre-research tool.

Wordtracker - You cannot be in the search engine marketing business without an annual subscription to this service. An easy to use interface, and a great depth of information can be gleaned using this constantly updated database.

WebPosition Gold - Indeed the gold standard for old school search engine optimization. The Reporter tool checks your positions automatically, in dozens of engines. Don't be without this tool. Versions for up to five domain for a small business, and one version with unlimited domains for SEO agencies. 

SEOElite - a new comer to the SEO tool chest, this is a fabulous tool for checking those all important back links on your site, and others. Rapid analysis of linking pages, gathering prospective links for reciprocal link swaps, instant checking of current links.. this is a great tool.

Optilink  - One of my personal favorite tools for off page analysis, and link prospecting. A huge time saver when doing research.  Fantastic customer service. Constant improvements in software. Highly recommended.

Books

Planet Ocean's Unfair advantage Guide to the Search Engines  - This is the book that essentially started our business. PO's "Unfair Advantage" book is constantly updated with the latest information. Truly the gold standard of SEO books, and where JT the principal of this company got his start.

PPC Management Tools

Atlas Onepoint - Formerly GoToast, this online service manages and adjusts your bids at dozens of pay per click engines automatically, saving hours on even the smallest PPC budgets. You set the prices you are willing to pay, and Atlas One Point optimizes your bids and maintains your rankings and budgets. The larger your budget and the more competitive your terms, the more this is worth to you.
Sign up for a no risk FREE 14 day trial of Atlas OnePoint

BidRank - A desktop application that does your bid adjusting for you! You purchase it rather than pay a monthly fee. Several versions at differing search term counts. Bid Rank itself manages Overture US and its international versions, Bid Rank Plus handles more of the second tier PPC engines. A fabulous tool, and one of the leaders in the category.