As a startup founder, struggling to navigate the complexities and ever-changing landscape of digital marketing is an unequivocal added concern. It seems that the more you learn, the more you realize there is more to know. This is especially true with new products being marketed to you constantly with free trials available. Many times, all this does is take you further away from your goals, leading to constantly subscribing to new tools and a lack of follow-through due to feeling overwhelmed. 

As a passionate and dedicated entrepreneur and marketing expert, I have tirelessly tested countless tools in order to find the perfect ones to streamline the marketing process and set startups up for success. Just this month, I welcomed my very first marketing intern to the team, and together, we have spent hours on end testing new tools each day. I am beyond excited to share with you three game-changing free tools that will revolutionize your SEO strategy and make building your sales funnel a breeze. No more guessing or drowning in a sea of email subscriptions – we are focusing on just three standout tools that have truly made a difference for us and that we confidently recommend.

These tools are not just helpful, they are essential for harnessing the full potential of your online presence.

1. Seo-stuff.com: Accurate Keyword Data for SEO Success

When it comes to SEO, keyword research is crucial. Seo-stuff.com is a powerful yet user-friendly tool that enables startup founders to conduct comprehensive keyword research easily. Unlike other cumbersome competitors that may be more suited for marketing professionals than founders, Seo-stuff.com offers a simple interface and insightful data that can significantly enhance your SEO strategy. With the ability to conduct one high-quality search for free each day, this tool is a game-changer for startups looking to boost their online visibility and drive organic traffic to their website. If you need more keywords, you can purchase credits for as low as $8 for 2,000. No more downloading another free trial, forgetting about it, and being billed $129.95 a month because you forgot to cancel… I’m looking at you semrush. 

2. Protoolio Funnel Template: Visualize Your Sales Funnel

Understanding your sales or marketing funnel is crucial for optimizing the customer journey, conversion rates, and driving revenue growth. The Protoolio Funnel Template is a must-have tool for startup founders looking to visualize their website traffic:leads funnel with precision. Founded by SUNY New Paltz alum Danté Ledbetter, this innovative tool allows you to map out every stage of the customer journey, from initial awareness to final conversion. By identifying potential bottlenecks and optimizing each stage of the funnel, you can maximize your marketing efforts and accelerate business growth. Don’t let visitors bounce from your site without offering an opt-in; welcome them into your funnel and visualize your impact along the way. Protoolio also offers a range of other useful calculators, such as CAC, LTV calculator, and more. If you don’t see what you need, you can commission a custom calculator for just $15, delivered in under 3 business days, and then embed it on your website as a valuable addition for your online visitors. 

3. Explodingtopics.com: Uncover Trending Topics and Insights

Staying ahead of the curve is essential for startup success, but it’s a challenge because we’re all limited on time. Explodingtopics.com is the ultimate solution. This invaluable tool provides real-time insights into trending topics and search volume, allowing startup founders to identify new opportunities and capitalize on emerging trends. With a wealth of data on product trends, brand mentions, and search volume, Explodingtopics.com empowers startups to create relevant content, forge strategic partnerships, and make informed business decisions. Now, without gatekeeping, here are the three products with the highest growth percentage and largest search volume in the last six months, based on our experience using the $1 pro trial: 1. hydrogen water bottles 2. prebiotic soda 3. grounding sheets – do with that what you will. It’s the tip of a trends iceberg and we could easily write an entire post on how much we love explodiing topics, but the best thing to do is check it out for free yourself.

The digital marketing landscape is constantly evolving, and staying ahead of the curve can feel like just adding another stressor to your plate. We tested over 50 tools this month and chose to feature these because they offered the most useful solutions and provided the best user experience. By leveraging the power of free tools like Seo-stuff.com, Protoolio, and Explodingtopics.com, startup founders can unlock new opportunities, optimize marketing efforts, and drive sustainable growth for companies.

What tools would you like us to review next? Let us know in the comments below, and stay tuned for more insights and recommendations from Volt & Clove!

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Lauren Volper, Founder, Volt & Clove

Lauren is the Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Volt & Clove, a Hudson Valley-based digital marketing agency specializing in SEO, funnel integrations, and email marketing automation. Before launching Volt & Clove, she founded the Forbes-featured experiential marketing and events company WineUp in San Francisco in 2017.