If you've searched for a comprehensive list of the glut of free SEO tools available, Ann Smarty's got you covered. Smarty serves up brief descriptions, screenshots and links to tools for everything from link checking, to keyword research and on-page analytics. For example, in keyword research there's Urban Dictionary, the MSN clustering tool, and Webaroo's Search Radar, among others. With on-page analytics (things like page load times, keyword density, etc.) you can try using the Web Page Analyzer from WebsiteOptimization.com. Smarty also lists social media tools like TweetVolume and Facebook Lexicon.

So you're an expert at increasing conversions from your search campaigns, right? What happens when your client wants to offer you more business, but needs conversions from channels like social media, display and content networks? Hamlet Batista offers some tips for driving non-search conversions. Study the source of your traffic carefully. "For example, people visiting technical forums like free scripts or technical documents," he says. "People visiting 'make money online' sites like free reports/e-books on how to make money." Then, tailor your offer directly to them. Batista also says that the kinds of ads you craft …

In response to a chorus of articles touting the benefits of Google's newly enhanced Keyword Tool, Michael VanDeMar argues that even with search volume data, the tool is "useless" for SEO purposes. According to VanDeMar's experience, the data is geared toward marketers that are trying to research PPC traffic, and it doesn't actively reflect a keyword's organic search potential. VanDeMar tested his theory using a poetry Web site, tracking 5 keywords in terms of actual search volume versus the AdWords Keyword Tool's estimated volume. In some cases, the two totals matched up, but as VanDeMar points out, he'd …

Kalena Jordan dives into the basics of article marketing, explaining why it should be added to a good SEOs bag of tricks. After a Web site has been optimized and the initial link-building campaign has run its course, article marketing can help keep fresh inbound links flowing, and pump up SERP rankings. So hire a freelance writer, or corral someone in-house to start crafting well-written, keyword-rich pieces. And instead of rolling out self-promotional pieces, brainstorm ways to draw readers in (either offering them advice, tips or anecdotes) and make the connection to your product or service themselves. …

Margie Semilof interviews Guy Creese, a content management expert with Burton Group about the evolution of enterprise search, and the rationale behind Microsoft's acquisition of Norway-based FAST. Creese explains that IT managers are often responsible for ensuring that a site's search function is effective, as well as assisting with SEO efforts. "IT managers have to do both well," he says. "It's common for companies to concentrate on only one of the two. They spend a lot on search marketing, which brings people to the site, but because the site search is so poor it then drives people away. …

Microsoft has rolled out a beta version of its adCenter Desktop, an offline campaign management suite, and is inviting search marketers to apply. "The positives of software like this are numerous," says David Snyder. "The most obvious is that it allows you to make wholesale edits and revisions without worrying about the real time implications on your account." Snyder notes that the adCenter Desktop is just one more example of how intently Microsoft seems to be focusing growing its paid search market share--albeit in a misguided fashion. "Traffic is based on users, and until the organic results of …

Scour is a new social search engine that crawls Yahoo, Live Search and Google, and then ranks the results according to the "wisdom of the crowd." Registered users improve the results by clicking a thumbs-up or thumbs-down icon next to a specific listing, or adding comments, and the engine's algorithm updates accordingly. Scour gives users points for searching, voting and commenting on results, as well as inviting friends. The points can then be recouped for Visa gift cards.

Paul Chaney serves up some blog copywriting tips that focus on crafting clean, error-free articles. And the first tip is one that applies to all sorts of published writing, whether it's a blog post, a guest article, Web site copy, or even a feature for a print publication--don't edit yourself. "The only problem is how many of us are in a position to have another person, preferably an editor, proof our copy?" Chaney asks. In lieu of an editor or proofreader, make liberal use of your spellchecker. If possible, print your copy before you review it (sometimes glaring …