215,000 Monthly Visitors Using Free Tools Strategy

Alright, so you are probably thinking,

Why would anyone give away valuable tools for free?

The simple answer is it works well.

Just look at Ahrefs Backlink Checker, a free tool that pulls in ridiculous amounts of traffic and backlinks every month. This isn’t just about generosity, it’s smart business. Ahrefs used the free tools strategy that anyone can replicate with the right approach.

Here’s what Ahrefs achieved with free tools to give you an idea of ​​how powerful this strategy is:

• 215K+ Visitors: Each month, tools attract lots of people, who come back again and again.
• 38.8M+ Backlinks: Millions of sites find value in their free tools and link back to them.
• 3.3K+ Keywords Ranked: Their free tools are ranking across thousands of keywords, bringing in organic traffic.

The amazing thing is this could be your site too.

Let’s learn how to use this strategy to get impressive traffic.

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The Secret Power of Free Tools

Just imagine giving your website visitors something they need, with no strings attached. They will use it, love it, and start seeing you as a helpful, trusted brand, and trusted website.

Free tools are like that one friend who always knows the answers.

It builds relationships a lot, shows off your expertise, and creates loyal visitors or customers who eventually will invest in your premium products or services in the future or immediately.

Here’s why this works so well:

• Value: People see free tools and think, why not. They get value right away, so they’re more likely to use your stuff, bookmark your site, and share it with others.
• Trust: Free tools show that you know your stuff and care enough to share it. Trust is built quickly because people can actually see the benefit of your brand firsthand.
• Expertise: This is where free tools really shine. They’re like little samplers that say, if this is what you get for free, imagine the premium version. And that’s an easy sell.

It is all about establishing yourself as the go-to expert.

And getting people invested in your brand from the first click.

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How To Use Free Tools Strategy To Build

Let’s learn how you can use this technique,

1st Step: Ahrefs’ Keywords Explorer

Enter broad terms describing the functionality of your product.

Once you have entered these terms, it will generate a list of keywords, along with search volume, keyword difficulty, and other metrics. It helps you avoid creating something niche that no one is searching for or overly competitive keywords that would be hard to rank for.

2nd Step: Matching Terms Report

This report gives you keyword insights.

Look for high-traffic terms related to the function of your potential tool.

3rd Step: Filters Modifiers

For example,

If your initial keywords focused on SEO, filtering by terms like “analyzer” or “audit” could help you uncover specific user needs, like “SEO audit tool,” “keyword analyzer,” or “backlink checker.”

This is essential for understanding how users want to interact with your tool, guiding you to create functionality they will find valuable.

4th Step: Analyze SERPs

Now, this part is crucial.

If you want your tool to rank, make sure the keywords you’re targeting aren’t dominated by massive competitors. Look for achievable keywords that still have strong search volume.

Think strategically and remember, the idea is to offer a tool that’s useful but isn’t already drowning in competition. So, use your SEO strategies to analyze search engine results pages.

And once you find those sweet keywords, you’re ready to build.

5th Step: Build Tools

You can hire a developer to build tools for you.

Or, you can use ChatGPT, Gemini, etc. tools to build tools.

Creating a free tool with ChatGPT is simple and effective. With some basic coding knowledge and a clear vision of what you want with your tool to do, you can use ChatGPT to help develop the functionality, provide explanations, and even write some of the code for you.

Some ideas to get you started:

• Keyword Generators: Everyone needs ideas, especially SEO beginners. This could attract marketers and content creators.
• Conversion Calculators: Useful for people in eCommerce or SaaS, allowing them to calculate ROI or other key metrics.
• Template Builders: Templates for proposals, checklists, or business plans can be insanely popular.

You got the idea.

Pro Tip

Don’t settle for just one. Try to build at least 10 free tools.

Why?

Because each tool serves as a unique entry point for new visitors.

Once you create many tools, your site will become a resource hub, a place people come back to when they need solutions. This is how Ahrefs did this and bringing a lot of visitors monthly.

So, try to build multiple tools.

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Why Give It All Away for Free

Let’s face it, giving away free stuff isn’t always easy to justify. But here’s the kicker, it’s a long game that pays off. Once people find value in your free tools, they’re way more likely to consider your paid products. It’s the try-before-you-buy model, only way less intrusive.

Think of it this way:

1. Free Tools as Traffic Magnets: They bring new users who may never have found you.
2. Free Services as Conversion Boosters: The more people get used to your brand, the more likely they’ll buy from you down the line.
3. Free Content as an Engagement Tool: By offering solutions at no cost, you’re priming your audience to see you as a valuable resource, not just another brand looking to make a sale.

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Final Takeaways

Once you have got a few tools live, track your progress.

You will start seeing results as users discover, use, and share your tools. It might take a few months, but once you see the uptick in traffic, engagement, and brand recognition, you will understand why the free tools strategy is one of the best techniques in the world.

Ahrefs, with all its free tools, has shown us just how much impact this approach can have. Follow this strategy, and you could soon be on your way to thousands of visitors a month, valuable backlinks, and a solid base of users who trust you.

Go and build.

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