Update: 04/24/2019

While no longer free, you can still get a 14-day trial of the SEOTools for Excel add-in. The tool has grown in popularity since we first wrote about it in 2012 and now has a dedicated website: https://seotoolsforexcel.com/. Another great excel resource you might want to check out is Spreadsheeto, a free Excel online training that adapts to your skill level. If you’re an Excel rookie looking to learn the basics, or an intermediate user interested in tapping into the more advanced features of Excel, this training is a great resource.

Excel Moves from Stone Age to Superhero with SEO Add-In



We used to hate Excel. We’re talking hate with a capital “get out of my face.” Endless rows and columns of tiny cells filled with long strings of characters that morphed into one of those creepy Magic Eye posters wasn’t exactly our idea of a Sunday picnic.

Then, everything changed. SEOtools for Excel, a brilliant add-in created by Niels Bosma, is revolutionizing the way we use this program. Now, everything we need is perfectly integrated into one simple program. We’ve been analyzing the heck out of websites for days, and we haven’t even had to click out of Excel. Not even to use the bathroom. Genius.

So, what’s going on with this tool? SEOtools adds an incredible toolbar to your existing Excel program. This toolbar will provide you with tons of functions for analyzing keywords, domain names, webpage content, backlinks, and more. It’s an SEO aficionado’s dream. One more thing. This add-in is free. Which means we’re ordering way more Chinese takeout than we were last month.

We just want to hit on a few of our favorite functions in the SEOtools add-in. Once you read through these, you’re immediately going to head over to NielsBosma.se and download it.

Domain Name Availability Checker

We don’t use this one that frequently, but this function is awesome. SEOTools will use your input to generate a huge list of potential domain names for your company website. Then, you can check the availability of every single one of those domain names. You can even see when domain names that are taken are set to expire. So if you really want your domain to be “JohnLovesChicken.com,” you can easily use this tool to see if it’s taken.

Error Identification

We, like the entire population of the universe, hate those 404 Error Messages. The only thing worse than slogging through web pages trying to get those error messages to disappear is sitting and waiting for Google Webmaster to update so we know whether or not we fixed it. SEOTools has got this function set up to monitor 404 error messages live. When you fix the problem, you’ll know immediately. Ah, instant gratification, how we love you.

Backlink Tool

Real, worthwhile, relevant links are the bones and sinew of effective SEO. We were tired of getting stymied by those links we thought were up and running but turned out to be less-than-functional. SEOTools for Excel allows you to monitor which links are actually linking to your blog or website. You’ll know pronto when something’s not right. This is maybe the first time we’ve used “Windows” and “efficiency” in the same sentence.

Page Elements

Finally—no, not finally in the least; there are tons more tools to use, but we digress—you can easily gather all the meta information for a website and see it listed on Excel. SEOTools helps you to capture Page Titles, meta tags, and heading info and display it in nice, neat columns. This tool has been amazing as we try to evaluate the health of the websites we’re managing. It’s much easier to identify problems or missing page elements with this function.

It takes awhile to learn how to navigate through Excel and utilize all of the functions efficiently. Once you get the hang of it, though, SEOTools can be one of the most effective website analytics tools you have. For more information, tutorials, and a list of all the functions offered with this add-in, check out NielsBosma.se/projects/seotools.

Or don’t, and live in the dark ages.