If you own a website, knowing how it performs in search results is essential. SEO performance shows how well your site ranks, how much organic traffic you get, and what needs improvement. The good news is that you don’t need to spend money to analyze your site’s performance. In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to check SEO performance free using practical tools and methods that anyone can apply.
Step 1: Use Google Search Console
The first and most reliable way to check SEO performance free is through Google Search Console. It’s a free platform provided by Google that tracks how your website appears in search results.
How to set it up:
Go to search.google.com/search-console.
Sign in with your Google account.
Add your website and verify ownership.
Wait a few days for Google to collect data.
What you can learn:
Which keywords bring users to your site.
The number of clicks, impressions, and your average ranking position.
Which pages get the most visibility.
Mobile usability and page speed issues.
Backlinks and internal links.
Regularly reviewing this data helps you identify what’s working and what needs improvement.
Step 2: Analyze Traffic with Google Analytics
Google Analytics is another powerful free tool that helps you understand user behavior once visitors reach your website. It complements Search Console data by showing how people interact with your pages.
What it shows:
The amount of traffic from organic search.
Bounce rate and average session duration.
Which pages attract the most visitors.
Conversion data and user demographics.
How to use it:
Create a free account on analytics.google.com.
Add your website as a property.
Install the tracking code or use a plugin like Site Kit if you’re on WordPress.
Link Google Analytics with Search Console for complete insights.
Combining both tools gives you a full picture of your SEO performance, from keyword visibility to user engagement.
Step 3: Run a Free SEO Audit
An SEO audit identifies technical and content issues that could affect your rankings. You can easily check SEO performance free using online SEO audit tools.
Popular free tools:
Ahrefs Webmaster Tools: Scans your site for technical issues and missing meta tags.
Ubersuggest: Provides keyword rankings, SEO health scores, and backlink information.
SEOptimer: Offers a quick site audit with actionable improvement tips.
Screaming Frog (Free version): Crawls up to 500 pages and detects SEO errors.
What to look for:
Broken internal and external links.
Missing or duplicate title tags and meta descriptions.
Missing image alt text.
Redirect loops or 404 errors.
HTTPS or mobile optimization issues.
Fixing these issues helps improve your technical SEO and overall site performance.
Step 4: Review Your Backlinks
Backlinks are one of the most important ranking factors in SEO. When other sites link to yours, it signals to search engines that your content is trustworthy and valuable.
To check SEO performance free, you can use tools like:
Ahrefs Webmaster Tools: Shows referring domains, anchor text, and link quality.
Moz Link Explorer: Reveals your Domain Authority and top linking websites.
Ubersuggest: Displays total backlinks, referring domains, and anchor distribution.
Focus on earning backlinks from high-quality, relevant websites. Avoid spammy or low-quality links, as they can hurt your rankings. If you find harmful backlinks, disavow them using Google’s Disavow Tool.
Step 5: Test Page Speed and Mobile Optimization
Website speed and mobile performance directly affect SEO rankings and user satisfaction. A slow or unresponsive site can lead to higher bounce rates and lower conversions.
Free tools to test your site speed:
Google PageSpeed Insights: Provides a detailed analysis of speed and user experience.
GTmetrix: Shows loading time and gives optimization suggestions.
Google Mobile-Friendly Test: Checks how well your site performs on mobile devices.
How to improve page speed:
Compress large images before uploading them.
Enable browser caching.
Minify CSS and JavaScript files.
Use a reliable hosting provider or a Content Delivery Network (CDN).
A faster website enhances both SEO and user experience, leading to better engagement and higher rankings.
Step 6: Evaluate On-Page SEO Elements
On-page SEO ensures that your individual pages are optimized for search engines and users. You can easily check SEO performance free by reviewing your on-page elements manually or using plugins like Yoast SEO or Rank Math.
Important factors to review:
Meta titles and descriptions: Each page should have a unique, descriptive title with relevant keywords.
Header tags (H1, H2, H3): Organize content logically for readability and SEO.
Keyword placement: Naturally include target keywords in your text.
Internal linking: Link related pages to help search engines understand your site structure.
Image optimization: Use descriptive filenames and alt text.
These adjustments can help your pages rank higher and attract more organic traffic.
Step 7: Monitor Keyword Rankings
Checking keyword rankings helps you understand how visible your content is for specific search terms. This allows you to see which keywords perform well and which need improvement.
Free tools to track keywords:
Google Search Console: Shows the average position of your keywords.
Ubersuggest: Tracks keyword rankings and competitiveness.
SERProbot: Lets you monitor a few keywords daily at no cost.
Focus on improving pages that rank on the second or third page of search results. Small content updates can often move them to page one.
Step 8: Check User Engagement Metrics
User engagement metrics give insights into how visitors interact with your site. Search engines consider engagement a signal of relevance and quality.
Key metrics to review in Google Analytics:
Bounce rate: The percentage of users who leave after viewing one page.
Average session duration: How long visitors stay on your site.
Pages per session: How many pages users view during a visit.
Improving engagement can be as simple as adding more visuals, internal links, or clear calls to action.
Step 9: Monitor Local SEO (If You Have a Business)
If you run a local business, local SEO is critical. It helps your site appear in searches for users in your area.
Free tools for local SEO:
Google Business Profile: Tracks customer views, clicks, and directions requests.
Moz Local Check: Ensures your business information is consistent across directories.
BrightLocal (Free trial): Monitors local rankings and online citations.
Keep your Google Business Profile updated with accurate contact details, business hours, photos, and reviews.
Step 10: Compare with Competitors
Keeping an eye on competitors can reveal valuable opportunities. By analyzing other websites in your niche, you can identify content gaps and keyword opportunities.
Tools to compare SEO performance:
Ubersuggest: Shows competitors’ top pages and keywords.
SimilarWeb: Estimates traffic and engagement sources.
SEOquake: Displays on-page SEO data directly from your browser.
Understanding your competitors’ strengths and weaknesses helps you refine your strategy and stay ahead in search rankings.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to check SEO performance free gives you full control over your website’s growth. With tools like Google Search Console, Google Analytics, Ubersuggest, and Ahrefs Webmaster Tools, you can track your progress without spending a cent.
The key to success is consistency. Review your SEO metrics regularly, make data-driven improvements, and keep your content relevant. Over time, you’ll see better rankings, more organic traffic, and stronger online visibility — all achieved with free resources and smart strategy.
