Are SEO Automation Tools a Good Idea?

kpaulmedia · 06-23-2011, 01:44 PM

SEO Automation Tools: a Good Idea?

Like chainsaws, drills and power washers, SEO automation tools can make life easier. However, they can also be dangerous to your web marketing efforts when not used correctly. Many people who are new to making money online will buy tools because they think they need them.

And while automation tools for SEO can make life simpler in some ways, they are by no means absolutely necessary. In fact, in some cases, doing something by hand and not with a tool may be more beneficial to you.

Before You Use an Automation Tool for SEO

Here are some basic considerations to make before you drop money on the latest, greatest SEO tool.

Manual First - If you're buying a tool - for backlinking for example - you are going to want to make sure you are already doing what it does automatically by hand. This helps make sure you understand the nitty-gritty details of an SEO method. Once you understand the process, it is then time to see if it can be automated.

Tool or No Tool? - While SEO automation tools can get a lot done quickly, the quality of the work sometimes leaves a lot to be desired. Going back to the backlinking example, SENUKEX or one of many other tools may be able to automate link building, but are those thousands of links as valuable as one or two authority links that were placed by hand? Post-Panda, more and more people are seeing the value of doing things by hand so that it looks more natural.

Is It Really Needed? - Going along with the last point, another consideration you should make is whether you really need the new tool or not. If you're not already using the process it automates, the chances are you don't need the latest tool. On the other hand, if you're already spending time with a method that works and a tool can automate that, it's probably a good idea. Knowing when to use tools and when they're just a waste of time and money is important.

More Thoughts on SEO Automation Tools

In my time online, I've seen many people get swept up in the buzz about a new product that does this or that. Marketed as YOU NEED THIS, many newbie and intermediate Internet marketers jump on the bandwagon and purchase the tool, not really having a use for it. In some cases they may get lucky and receive some benefit from the tool, but a lot of the time it is going to sit on your computer unused.

Quality vs Quantity - This is an age old question, but in most cases, quality is going to win over time. For example, while brute force quantity has worked in the past for things like link building, more and more it is becoming about having a well rounded link portfolio of high quality links rather than 10,000+ backlinks from questionable sites. Post-Panda, the web is becoming even more about quality rather than quantity.

Know the Basics First - If you do not understand the theory behind an SEO method, buying a tool is not going to solve this problem. In fact, it may make it worse for you if you use a tool like SENUKEX to try to "get results." Without understanding the basics, any SEO tool you buy is not going to be worth the money.

Don't get me wrong. I have quite a few automated tasks that I use scripts or software to make easier. I don't like to rush into anything when the latest greatest SEO automation tool appears. When you do your homework and due diligence, you are going to find that most of the MUST HAVE SEO automation software isn't really needed at all. On top of that, when used incorrectly it could have serious detrimental effects on your web marketing efforts.

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K. Paul Mallasch is the publisher of Webmaster Chronic, where you can learn more about SEO Automation Tools. He is also available as a freelance copywriter.

06-23-2011, 01:44 PM	#1
kpaulmedia Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: US Midwest Posts: 29 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Are SEO Automation Tools a Good Idea? SEO Automation Tools: a Good Idea? Like chainsaws, drills and power washers, SEO automation tools can make life easier. However, they can also be dangerous to your web marketing efforts when not used correctly. Many people who are new to making money online will buy tools because they think they need them. And while automation tools for SEO can make life simpler in some ways, they are by no means absolutely necessary. In fact, in some cases, doing something by hand and not with a tool may be more beneficial to you. Before You Use an Automation Tool for SEO Here are some basic considerations to make before you drop money on the latest, greatest SEO tool. Manual First - If you're buying a tool - for backlinking for example - you are going to want to make sure you are already doing what it does automatically by hand. This helps make sure you understand the nitty-gritty details of an SEO method. Once you understand the process, it is then time to see if it can be automated. Tool or No Tool? - While SEO automation tools can get a lot done quickly, the quality of the work sometimes leaves a lot to be desired. Going back to the backlinking example, SENUKEX or one of many other tools may be able to automate link building, but are those thousands of links as valuable as one or two authority links that were placed by hand? Post-Panda, more and more people are seeing the value of doing things by hand so that it looks more natural. Is It Really Needed? - Going along with the last point, another consideration you should make is whether you really need the new tool or not. If you're not already using the process it automates, the chances are you don't need the latest tool. On the other hand, if you're already spending time with a method that works and a tool can automate that, it's probably a good idea. Knowing when to use tools and when they're just a waste of time and money is important. More Thoughts on SEO Automation Tools In my time online, I've seen many people get swept up in the buzz about a new product that does this or that. Marketed as YOU NEED THIS, many newbie and intermediate Internet marketers jump on the bandwagon and purchase the tool, not really having a use for it. In some cases they may get lucky and receive some benefit from the tool, but a lot of the time it is going to sit on your computer unused. Quality vs Quantity - This is an age old question, but in most cases, quality is going to win over time. For example, while brute force quantity has worked in the past for things like link building, more and more it is becoming about having a well rounded link portfolio of high quality links rather than 10,000+ backlinks from questionable sites. Post-Panda, the web is becoming even more about quality rather than quantity. Know the Basics First - If you do not understand the theory behind an SEO method, buying a tool is not going to solve this problem. In fact, it may make it worse for you if you use a tool like SENUKEX to try to "get results." Without understanding the basics, any SEO tool you buy is not going to be worth the money. Don't get me wrong. I have quite a few automated tasks that I use scripts or software to make easier. I don't like to rush into anything when the latest greatest SEO automation tool appears. When you do your homework and due diligence, you are going to find that most of the MUST HAVE SEO automation software isn't really needed at all. On top of that, when used incorrectly it could have serious detrimental effects on your web marketing efforts. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= K. Paul Mallasch is the publisher of Webmaster Chronic, where you can learn more about SEO Automation Tools. He is also available as a freelance copywriter.