Getting started with SEO doesn’t mean you need to drop $99/month on a fancy platform. In fact, some of the best SEO tools out there are completely free—and perfect for beginners who want to build traffic without breaking the bank.
Here are three beginner-friendly tools that can help you choose the right keywords, write content people are actually searching for, and track your performance—all without spending a dime.
1. Ubersuggest (by Neil Patel)
Ubersuggest is one of the most beginner-friendly SEO tools out there. It helps you:
- Find keywords and search volume
- See how hard it is to rank for a specific phrase
- Spy on what your competitors are ranking for
You can enter a keyword like “free traffic tools” or “affiliate SEO” and get a full list of related terms. You’ll also see estimated monthly search volume and SEO difficulty, so you know what to target—even if your site is brand new.
Pro tip: Look for keywords with low competition and moderate search volume. These are perfect for ranking faster when you’re just getting started.
2. Google Search Console
Google Search Console is the most important SEO tool that almost no beginner uses—yet it’s 100% free and gives you insider info straight from Google.
Once you verify your website, you’ll be able to see:
- Which keywords you’re showing up for
- How many people are clicking on your content
- Where your pages rank in search results
Search Console also alerts you to any site errors or indexing issues. If Google has trouble crawling your page, this is where you’ll find out.
Set it up as soon as your site goes live. It’ll help you track your progress and see what’s working.
3. AnswerThePublic
AnswerThePublic helps you discover the questions real people are asking online—so you can create content they’re actually searching for.
Just type in a keyword like “email marketing” or “seo for beginners,” and it’ll give you a massive list of questions, comparisons, and related phrases people are typing into search engines.
This is gold when you’re planning blog posts, YouTube videos, or social media content. The more your content answers specific questions, the more likely it is to rank in search results.
Bonus Tip: Don’t Overwhelm Yourself
You don’t need a hundred tools. In fact, these three are more than enough to get you started:
- Use Ubersuggest to plan your keywords
- Use AnswerThePublic to get content ideas
- Use Search Console to measure your results
They’re powerful, simple, and totally free. No credit card, no trial periods, no gimmicks.
Affiliate Opportunity?
Currently, these three tools don’t offer traditional affiliate programs (at least not public ones). However, if you ever promote SEO-related products like:
- LeadsLeap’s link tracker and page builder
- Wealthy Affiliate (great SEO training)
- Keyword research tools with affiliate programs like Mangools or SE Ranking
…then this post could be a perfect lead-in. You can always revisit this later with an upsell CTA or link a related product at the bottom.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to spend a fortune to get started with SEO. With just a few free tools, you can build a strong foundation, find the right keywords, and start showing up in Google results.
Want more simple, no-cost strategies for getting traffic? Check out the full 104 Free Advertising Questions series at ForgedSite.com.
Want step-by-step help building your own online business? Check out my favorite platform below.
