I’m always on the lookout for new Search Engine Optimisation tools, tips, inside information and other great snippets of knowledge to help increase the quality of service we provide our clients. No matter how big or small, there is always something new to learn or experience.
While on another jolly jaunt across the net in search of SEO wisdom, I came across a tool created by Vladimir Prelovac; renowned for his WordPress work, he is giving away an SEO tool called SEO Doctor for Firefox. So I read through the synopsis and thought I’d give it a bash. Here’s my review…
Like most plugins for Firefox, the tool installed fine and immediately swung into action placing itself in the bottom status bar. However, my first point of notice was that there was no availability for the tool in Chrome, only Firefox. I know that may be picky as I prefer using the Chrome browser, but it was the first thing I picked up on.
What originally caught my eye when I was reading about this tool was the fact that it included a new metric for measuring the overall effectiveness of a web page. It’s been called ‘SEO Score’ (well yes, obvious I know) that takes all the other factors the tool measures into account and provides an overall mark out of 100. The closer to 100 you get, the better your optimisation.
The user interface is simply and well arranged and clicking on the display provides an easy to use pop-up panel displaying all the other factors the tool calculates.
Another interesting metric the tool measures is that of ‘flow’. This compares the amount of on-page links going to your domain, compared with those pointing to sources beyond your own website. It suggests anything above 50% is a good thing.
Clicking on the down arrow to the right of a metric allows you to access the complete information about that particular factor. The tool provides a ‘more info’ link straight to Vladimir’s website where he provides more information about that particular measurement. Very useful, as there is no need to go hunting for a separate explanation as to what it represents. Additionally, there is an ‘export to CSV’ link in the top right enabling you to download and analyse the information separately, again extending the usability of the tool.
However, the tool itself is very basic in terms of what it provides. Other than the interesting use of ‘flow’ and ‘SEO Score’ (which other tools do similarly) the information available is quite simple. Plus, everything the tool measures is orientated around on-page optimisation without any information concerning the off-page side of SEO. Information that is available elsewhere in other tools.
I decided to put SEO Doctor to the test to find out how the results of the tool weighed up. Having visited several websites, some of which on-page issues were already known, the only thing I picked up on was that of its page loading measurement.
One site I visited SEO Doctor told me it took 5 seconds to load the page giving me a lovely, big satisfying green tick next to the factor. Now, I would say that 5 seconds is actually on the slow side of things, a time I would expect this particular web page to take using a dial-up connection – but I’m using cable! So I ran the site through another tool I use for measuring site load speed. That told me the site takes 0.75 seconds to load – somewhat of a difference! (I then ran a second test to make sure, SEO Doctor said 2.5 seconds, my reliable tool said 0.7 seconds)
So, my conclusion.
Although the site speed’s accuracy is a little debateable, overall the tool is a useful, well organised piece of software that provides good feedback with some great usability features. However, it does only contain the very basic information. So if you are interested in SEO, a beginner or an enthusiast, go get it. But I would personally recommend for the hardcore SEO’ers like us at Vertical Leap, there are far more reliable and more in-depth tools at our disposal.
Either way, there’s no harm in trying it out for yourself!
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