If you’re actively involved in link building, you’re likely familiar with numerous prominent link-building tools. For those with the time and resources, consider exploring these versatile search engine optimization (SEO) tools to support your link-building efforts.
I’ll provide an overview of each tool, highlighting their unique "nuts and bolts" features to maximize their potential during link-building and content marketing campaigns.
Paid Link-Building Tools
These first two tools are comprehensive options offering various functions and require a subscription.
Nightwatch.io: This relatively new tool allows you to monitor up to 20 domains and 100 keywords. Nightwatch offers features like ranking tracking and backlink monitoring. It’s a worthwhile option if you’re on a budget or seeking fresh alternatives.
Nightwatch is visually appealing and can integrate with Google Analytics and Search Console. While I advise against relying solely on rankings, it’s crucial to know whether you’re ascending, remaining stable, or declining in search engine result pages (SERPs) to understand your situation.
A valuable section in Nightwatch displays a graph of your average SERP position alongside competitors. You can quickly analyze ranking reports based on tracked keywords, identifying those needing improvement. This tool helps you focus when building links to specific pages and using particular anchors. Be cautious, though, not to get overwhelmed by daily ranking fluctuations.
Another feature I regularly use is the comparison of client rankings to competitors, which aids in launching a new link-building campaign. If your page’s ranking drops while competitors rise, it’s an indicator that changes are necessary.
You can pin items on the Dashboard to monitor multiple sites or specific site data, creating a convenient dashboard for instant access upon login. Moreover, if you prefer daily ranking reports, this tool accommodates that need.
Nightwatch also provides keyword tracking and new suggestions—a great asset when running out of ideas or needing inspiration for linking partners or new content concepts.
LittleWarden.com: This tool checks mail exchanger (MX) records and redirects, along with monitoring page title changes, which can improve rankings and conversions.
LittleWarden tracks elements that might negatively affect your rankings. It’s frustrating when technical issues go unnoticed by the SEO team. This tool ensures you won’t invest effort in gaining links to a page that’s inaccessible to Google. Its monitoring capabilities are beneficial in such scenarios.
You can also monitor domain and secure sockets layer (SSL) certificate expirations. Little Warden sends monthly email reminders for approaching expiration dates, with customizable features for convenience.
Free Link-Building Tools
The following tools are free and serve specific tasks.
Siteliner.com: This tool detects broken links and duplicate content.
Broken links diminish user experience, while duplicate content is an issue significant enough for Google to provide guidance on its management. Canonicalization is recommended for handling duplicate content across similar pages.
The Skipped Pages section identifies reasons for skipped pages, such as blocked access or 404 errors. This information is invaluable, ensuring you’re not linking to non-indexed pages.
Finding broken links on websites is straightforward with Siteliner. Search by keyword to identify potential partner sites, then offer valuable content with functional links to replace broken ones on target sites.
FirstIndexed.com: This free tool reveals when a URL was first indexed, simplifying your search process.
When placing links on a page, this tool helps determine the currency of information. If a page was indexed a decade ago, verify the relevance and accuracy of its content.
Older pages may not be ideal link partners due to frequent topic updates. Additionally, they might have more broken links, allowing you to engage webmasters by highlighting what needs fixing or updating.
Conclusion
Link building can’t rely solely on a keen eye; it requires support from smart, well-optimized pages to influence rankings. Great links and smart content don’t guarantee improved rankings or traffic as many factors are involved. The tools mentioned can complement and enhance your link-building arsenal.
