If you run a small business, you probably wear too many hats already. Marketing, customer service, accounts—and somehow, you’re meant to be a master of SEO too?
Here’s the good news: you don’t need to be an SEO expert. You just need the right tools.
The best SEO tools take the guesswork out of getting found on Google. They show you what’s working, what needs fixing, and where to focus next.
And no—you don’t need a huge budget.
Here are 10 of the best SEO tools for small businesses in 2025. Some are free. Some are paid. All of them can save you time and get results.
1. Google Search Console
This free tool from Google is a must.
It shows:
- What phrases people search before landing on your site
- Which pages are getting traffic
- Any crawl errors or issues holding you back
You don’t need to guess what Google thinks about your site—you can see it for yourself.
Best for: Understanding what’s working and spotting easy wins.
2. Yoast SEO (for WordPress)
If your website runs on WordPress, Yoast is your on-page co-pilot.
It helps you:
- Optimise titles and meta descriptions
- Add internal links
- Set a focus phrase for each post
- Create a clean sitemap
The free version is powerful enough for most users. Just don’t follow every suggestion blindly—use common sense too.
Best for: Making sure each page is SEO-ready.
3. Ubersuggest
Created by Neil Patel, Ubersuggest is a great all-rounder for keyword research and tracking.
You can:
- Find content ideas
- See how hard it is to rank for a phrase
- Check what your competitors are doing
- Track your rankings over time
The free version has limits, but it’s fine for smaller sites.
Best for: Keyword research and spying on the competition.
4. Screaming Frog SEO Spider
This one sounds scary but is brilliant.
It scans your entire site like Google does and shows you:
- Broken links
- Missing title tags
- Duplicate content
- Slow-loading pages
The free version crawls up to 500 pages, which is enough for most small sites.
Best for: Finding hidden problems you didn’t know you had.
5. AnswerThePublic
Want to know what real people are searching for?
Type in a word like coffee or roofing and it shows you dozens of questions, comparisons, and phrases people type into search engines.
It’s great for blog post ideas and FAQ pages.
Best for: Writing content that matches real-world searches.
6. Google Trends
This shows you what’s hot right now.
You can compare two phrases (e.g., “window shutters” vs. “Venetian blinds”) and see which one gets more searches over time.
It’s not detailed, but it gives you a quick gut check on what people are interested in.
Best for: Spotting trends before your competitors do.
7. PageSpeed Insights
Google doesn’t just look at your content. It also checks how fast your website loads.
Use this tool to see:
- How your site performs on mobile and desktop
- What’s slowing it down
- How to fix it
Fast pages rank better and keep visitors happy.
Best for: Speeding up your website.
8. Localo (formerly Surfer Local)
This tool is designed for local businesses. It shows how your Google Business Profile is performing and what local competitors are doing better.
If you rely on foot traffic, bookings, or local services—this is gold.
Best for: Local SEO and Google Maps visibility.
9. Rank Math
Another powerful plugin for WordPress users. It’s like Yoast, but with more advanced features and lighter on your site speed.
It also has built-in schema support, which helps search engines display your content better (like star ratings or FAQs).
Best for: Users who want a step up from Yoast.
10. Notion (with an SEO checklist)
OK, Notion isn’t an SEO tool. But it’s the perfect place to track your content plan, check off optimisation steps, and stay consistent.
Use it to:
- Plan blog posts
- Store keywords
- Track changes and rankings
Consistency beats perfection. And Notion keeps you on track.
Best for: Staying organised and focused.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need every tool on this list. Pick one or two that match where you are right now.
If you’re just starting? Google Search Console + Yoast will do.
Creating content? Add AnswerThePublic and Ubersuggest.
Want to go local? Localo and Google Business Profile are your best bet.
SEO doesn’t have to be hard. With the right tools, it can actually be fun. And more importantly—it works.