What Is Bluehost SEO Tools Start
Bluehost SEO Tools Start is a paid Bluehost add-on that provides website SEO reports, recommendations, keyword/ranking tracking, and search-engine submission support for beginner-friendly optimization.
Key takeaways
- Bluehost SEO Tools Start is a beginner-friendly add-on for basic SEO reports and keyword tracking.
- It tracks up to 10 keywords and 2 competitors, with monthly progress reports.
- It includes search engine submission to Google and Bing.
- It does not replace Google Search Console or advanced SEO platforms.
- Best for small sites or beginners who want a lightweight SEO checklist.
It is designed for small site owners who want a simple SEO checklist without leaving the Bluehost dashboard.
What Bluehost SEO Tools Start Is Used For
- Get a site SEO score – The tool analyzes your website and creates a Marketing Report organized by topic.
- Track keywords – Monitor up to 10 keywords with weekly ranking scans.
- Monitor competitors – Keep an eye on 2 competitor domains.
- Receive monthly reports – Get progress summaries via email.
- Submit to search engines – One-click submission to Google and Bing.
How to Get Started
- Purchase the add-on – From your Bluehost dashboard, add SEO Tools Start to your hosting plan.
- Connect your site – The tool will automatically scan your domain.
- Review the Marketing Report – Check the SEO score and recommendations.
- Set up keyword tracking – Enter up to 10 target keywords.
- Add competitors – Specify up to 2 competitor URLs.
- Follow recommendations – Implement on-page fixes (meta tags, content, etc.).
- Check monthly reports – Track progress and adjust strategy.
When Not to Start Here
- You need deep technical SEO – The tool does not replace Google Search Console for crawl errors, indexing, or structured data.
- You manage multiple sites – It is designed for a single Bluehost-hosted site.
- You want advanced keyword research – Limited to 10 keywords; no volume or difficulty data.
- You rely on automated ranking improvements – Recommendations are generic; content and link building still required.
Alternatives to Bluehost SEO Tools Start
| Tool | Best For | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Google Search Console | Free indexing, crawl, and performance data | Free |
| Semrush | Full keyword research, competitor analysis, site audit | Paid (starts ~$119.95/month) |
| Ahrefs | Backlink analysis, keyword explorer, rank tracking | Paid (starts ~$99/month) |
| Ubersuggest | Budget keyword research and site audit | Freemium (limited free, paid from $12/month) |
Next step
FAQ
Is Bluehost SEO Tools Start worth it?
For beginners or small sites wanting a lightweight SEO checklist and basic keyword tracking, the introductory price (~$1.99/month) can be worthwhile. However, it does not replace free tools like Google Search Console or advanced platforms like Semrush.
How is Bluehost SEO Tools Start different from the free SEO checker?
The free SEO checker provides a one-time site analysis. SEO Tools Start offers ongoing keyword tracking, competitor monitoring, and monthly reports.
Can Bluehost SEO Tools Start replace Google Search Console?
No. Google Search Console provides essential indexing data, crawl errors, and search performance metrics that Bluehost SEO Tools Start does not.
Related topics
Sources
- Bluehost Help: SEO Tools — Primary source for Bluehost's own description of the tool and its marketing report output.
- Bluehost Blog: SEO Fundamentals — Useful for Bluehost's definition of core SEO practices the add-on is meant to support.
- Bluehost SEO Checker — Helps distinguish the free checker from the paid SEO Tools Start add-on.
- Google Search Central — Best authority for indexing, sitemaps, metadata, and search best practices beyond Bluehost's product.
Reviewed by Lucía Marín, Founding editor.