Understanding SEO can be quite a task, and making it work is even more challenging. We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 best free SEO tools to help you understand your site, how it ranks against competitors, and the power of keywords, anchor text and back links. Watch this quick video and start crafting a strategy to boost your rankings on search engines!

SEO Tool #1 Google Keyword Tool
www.adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal

Research is key, this step requires a bit of time, but it’s worth it’s weight in gold. Provided by Google, this tool allows you to research your industry keywords to learn about local and global traffic statistics.

Now, what does your site look like to search engines in terms of SEO?

SEO Tool #2 SEO Website Grader
www.websitegrader.com

SEO Tool #3 SEO Blog Grader
blog.grader.com

SEO Tool #4 Check Backlinks & Anchor Text
www.bluebacklinks.com

SEO Tool #5 Search Engine Spider Simulator
www.webconfs.com/search-engine-spider-simulator.php

SEO Tool #6 Alexa Ranking (Worldwide Rank, Search Analytics, Audience Stats, Etc.)
www.alexa.com

SEO Tool #7 SEO Book – Free SEO Tools (These SEO tools can be used for ongoing website analysis and stats.)
www.tools.seobook.com

Next, it’s a good idea to asses what your competition looks like. (You can use the tools above as well as the tools below for this purpose)

SEO Tool #8 Spy on Your Competitors (Learn About Competitor Keywords & AdWords)
www.spyfu.com

SEO Tool #9 Search Engine & Directory Submission Tool
www.ubl.org

Once your ready to move forward with an SEO strategy, these tools will hep you with search engine & directory submission as well as PR article distribution.

SEO Tool #10 Press Release Article Distribution
www.prnewswire.com

Knowledge is only half the battle! Once you understand the status of your current site and have a better understanding of what you need to do, it’s time to hire experts to handle the workload so you can get back to business.

Overwhelmed with information? We’re here to help. Contact us today for a free SEO quote.info@skyboxseo.com or call 619.865.8881

Print Week San Diego, Febuary 21-25 2011, is a week filled with print plant tours, seminars and a free trade show.

The trade show and seminars take place tomorrow, Thursday February 24 from 9:30am – 4:00pm. The trade show lasts one day and draws hundreds of print experts and industry leaders. Exhibitors include large national paper companies, local printers and other graphic design related companies, including Platt College and more. It’s a great resource for designers and printers alike!

Hope to see you there!!

Click here for more info on Print Week and the PIA Expo 2011

Skybox Creative, Inc. – Elevate your business with stellar brand + web design.

Many people may not realize that iStock gives away 4 free stock photography images each week, in addition, they also give away 4 free vector images, 4 free videos and 4 free audio tracks every single week! Hey, everyone likes free stuff!

iStock Photo has rapidly become the number one online source for royalty free stock images at reasonable prices. iStock is not only an expansive resource for stock photography, but also provides an online community where designers and photographers can connect.

Don’t you just love the internet and the unlimited possibilities!

You can review the free archives here

They recently added The Vetta Collection, where the best-of-the-best photographers sell their top shelf stock photos for between 20-70 credits. The average credit is about $1.50 each, if you pay-as-you-go. Their standard collection ranges from about 1-22 credits. Click here to learn more

If you are a designer looking for some online recognition, you are able to submit your designs (that utilized at least one element from iStock) to their Designer Spotlight Showcase. If your design is selected, it will show up for other members to review and critique. In addition, your design will have the chance to be selected as the “Design of the Week” which is displayed on the front page of the Designer Spotlight section. If that’s not enough to motivate you, you earn free credits on iStock for every submission they accept! Skybox Creative has submitted and showcased several designs on iStock, to view them, click here

Click here to learn more about iStock Designer Spotlight

Happy Friday all!

-Angelina