SEO Workflow Automation: 7 Best Practices

Automating your SEO workflow saves time, reduces errors, and improves efficiency. Here's a quick summary of the best practices covered in this guide:

• Keyword Research Automation: Use tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, or SEObot to quickly identify and analyse keywords.
• Technical SEO Automation: Automate site audits and issue tracking with platforms like Ahrefs, SE Ranking, or Screaming Frog.
• Content Optimisation: AI tools like ContentGecko and Onpage.ai improve readability, structure, and keyword use.
• SEO Reporting: Automate dashboards and reports with tools like Coupler.io or DashThis.
• Link Building Automation: Streamline outreach with platforms like Respona or BuzzStream.
• Rank Tracking: Monitor keyword performance with tools like AccuRanker or Nightwatch.
• Task Automation: Simplify repetitive tasks using tools like AgencyAnalytics or Surfer SEO.

Quick Comparison Table

11 Make.com Automations You NEED To Start Using Every Day

1. Keyword Research Automation

Keyword research automation has transformed how we identify and analyse keywords. With AI-driven tools, you can process vast amounts of data in minutes, not hours, making keyword discovery quicker and more efficient. These tools integrate smoothly into SEO workflows, helping you plan content more strategically.

Popular Keyword Research Tools

There are several standout tools in the market, each with its own strengths. For example, SEMrush boasts a database of over 25 billion keywords, while Ahrefs and Moz are well-known for their competitor analysis features.

SEObot, created by John Rush and Vitalik May, deserves special mention. It uses AI to analyse Google data in over 50 languages, making it a great option for identifying impactful keywords.

Turning Keyword Data into Content Strategy

Keyword research isn't just about finding the right terms - it’s about using that data effectively to shape your content. Here are three practical ways to turn keyword insights into action:

• Understand Search Intent: Tools like SEMrush's Topic Research categorise keywords by intent, helping you align your content with what users are actually looking for.
• Group Related Keywords: Use semantic clustering to group similar keywords. This method has shown success, with 88% of marketers continuing their SEO efforts after seeing better results.
• Track and Adjust: Tools like Ahrefs and Moz let you monitor keyword rankings and content performance in real-time, so you can refine your strategy as needed.

2. Technical SEO Automation

Handling technical SEO for large or complex websites can be overwhelming. Automation tools make it easier by taking over time-consuming tasks. In fact, 86.07% of SEO professionals now use AI in their workflow.

Automated Site Audits

Modern audit tools are designed to quickly evaluate your site's technical health. For example, Ahrefs' Site Audit checks over 170 technical and on-page SEO issues, while SE Ranking can analyse more than 115 metrics for up to 1,000 pages in under two minutes.

Here's a comparison of popular tools for enterprise-level audits:

"The new website audit tool is designed so you can quickly identify what needs to be fixed on your page visually. What I like the most is that even if you don't have previous SEO experience, it is detailed what you need to do to fix the existing issues".

Once audits are complete, staying on top of the issues they uncover is key to maintaining your site's technical performance.

Issue Management Systems

Dealing with technical SEO issues effectively requires a structured system. Modern tools help prioritise and resolve problems based on their impact on SEO, ensuring that the most critical issues are addressed first.

Here’s how an efficient issue management process works:

• Automated Detection: Tools monitor your site for issues continuously. With 75% of marketers using AI, manual work time is greatly reduced.
• Priority Sorting: Problems are typically grouped into:
  • Critical errors that affect rankings.
  • Warnings that need attention soon.
  • Notices for minor tweaks.
• Resolution Tracking: Platforms like Semrush offer dashboards to track fixes and compare audit results over time.

"Site Audit crawls all your website's pages. It flags all possible technical and on-page SEO issues, provides recommendations on how to fix them, visualises key data in a chart, and delivers an overall SEO health score".

Automation is transforming technical SEO. For example, 15.6% of SEO professionals report saving over 10 hours a week by using AI. This extra time can be redirected to more strategic and impactful projects.

3. Content Optimisation Tools

Content optimisation tools are game-changers for improving SEO content, increasing rankings, and saving time. Just like keyword research and technical audits, automating content optimisation is a key part of a smooth SEO workflow.

AI Content Analysis

AI-powered tools now assess content based on essential SEO factors. Here's how one tool, ContentGecko, delivered impressive results for various businesses:

• promoty.io: Traffic jumped from 18,000 to 90,000 monthly clicks.
• askly.me: Gained 40,000 monthly SEO keyword impressions from scratch.
• lamisuperbooster.com: Achieved a massive 1,073% traffic increase in just nine months.

Different tools specialise in distinct areas of content optimisation:

These tools improve content by analysing readability, structure, and keyword use, while also benchmarking your content against top-ranking competitors. They can even spot technical issues like broken links or missing meta tags.

But content analysis is just one part of the equation. Structuring your site through automated internal linking is another powerful strategy.

Automated Internal Linking

Automated internal linking strengthens your site’s structure and improves SEO. For example, a European classified ad website nearly doubled its top search rankings - from 6,891 to 12,118 pages - by adopting automated internal linking.

Here’s a suggested linking ratio:

• 60% phrase match keywords
• 30% exact match keywords
• 10% partial match keywords

Tools like SEObot simplify this process with AI-driven algorithms that generate strategic internal links automatically. Use analytics to monitor the impact - track traffic, rankings, user engagement, and link equity. Regular adjustments based on performance data ensure your strategy works well for both users and search engines.

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4. SEO Report Automation

SEO report automation is a game-changer for improving efficiency. It's no surprise that agency executives spend over 5 hours each month creating reports for a single client.

Building SEO Dashboards

Creating effective SEO dashboards takes careful planning and the right tools. Coupler.io offers a great example with their dashboard, which integrates data from GA4, Google Search Console, and Ahrefs. This setup tracks the entire conversion funnel, from the first click to the final purchase.

Key components of a strong SEO dashboard include:

For instance, Organic Digital’s use of DashThis highlights how consolidated metrics can improve client understanding. Their Technical SEO Consultant, Dave Ashworth, shared that presenting multi-channel data in one view has significantly boosted client engagement.

Automated Report Delivery

Once dashboards are set up, automating report delivery can save even more time. Automated reporting eliminates repetitive tasks, freeing up resources. In fact, Coupler.io's automation saved users a combined 180 years of reporting time in 2023 alone.

"Each dashboard saves you an average of 4 hours per month doing mind-numbing copy-pasting and other endless manual work." - Reportz.io

Jelly Digital Marketing & PR provides a great example of the impact. Their Director, Darian Kovacs, shared that automated reporting improved client communication and boosted sales by setting clearer expectations.

Here’s how to make the most of automated reporting:

• Set a reporting schedule: Choose daily, weekly, or monthly reports, focusing on metrics like organic sessions, average position, and bounce rates.
• Use branded templates: Customise reports to reflect your agency's identity. DashThis users, for example, create thousands of tailored reports every month, showcasing the scalability of this method.
• Consolidate reports for multiple clients: Configure tools to generate reports for several clients at once, making portfolio management more efficient.

To ensure accurate and comprehensive reports, pick tools that integrate seamlessly with platforms like Google Analytics, Search Console, Ahrefs, Moz, and SEMrush. This approach guarantees consistent data collection and analysis.

5. Link Building Automation

After tackling content and technical optimisation, let's dive into how link building automation can simplify outreach. By using AI-driven tools and analytics, you can streamline the process and focus on building meaningful connections.

Finding Link Sources

Identifying quality link sources is all about using the right tools. For example, SEMRush's Link Building Tool connects with Google Search Console and Gmail to pull contact details for potential link partners automatically. When choosing sites, prioritise those with themes that align with your content rather than just chasing high domain authority.

Here are some useful platforms for link building and their key metrics:

Once you've identified your targets, automated outreach systems can help you manage and execute campaigns more effectively.

Link Outreach Systems

Automated outreach tools are essential for managing campaigns at scale. As Guillaume Deschamps, a Digital PR Manager, notes: "With Respona, we earn 350 links from high-authority websites each month".

Here’s a comparison of some popular outreach tools:

To make the most of automated link building, keep these tips in mind:

• Regularly audit link quality and performance metrics, such as traffic, rankings, and conversion rates.
• Use automation wisely, balancing it with manual oversight to maintain a personal touch.

Interestingly, 73.5% of link builders secure fewer than 10 links per month. This underscores the importance of focusing on quality over quantity. By combining automation tools with manual efforts, you can scale your link-building campaigns while maintaining high standards.

6. Rank Tracking Systems

Automated rank tracking systems are essential for keeping tabs on how your keywords are performing. These tools allow SEOs to monitor thousands of keywords across different locations and devices, making it easier to stay on top of search engine rankings.

Setting Up Rank Monitors

Rank tracking tools come with advanced features that make it easier to monitor keyword positions. For instance, SE Ranking offers plans starting at £65 per month for tracking 500 keywords. It supports mobile and desktop tracking across multiple locations.

Here’s a quick comparison of some popular rank tracking tools and what they offer:

"As an SEO consultant, evaluating how well various SEO strategies are working is essential. To retain my clients, I need to be able to show them that their rankings are improving over time", says Kelly Fitzgerald, Founder of Savvy Marketing Services.

When configuring rank monitors, focus on these priorities:

• Track keywords critical to your business with location-specific settings.
• Set up alerts for major ranking changes and monitor mobile and desktop rankings separately.

Once your tracking is in place, the next step is to analyse the data for actionable insights.

Ranking Data Analysis

Rank tracking tools provide in-depth analytics to help identify trends and opportunities. For example, Backlinko.com monitors over 114,000 keywords in the US, with 16,000 consistently ranking in the top 10.

"If you're an SEO agency, ensure the top 2 widgets are keyword rankings and traffic. As your rankings go up, so will your traffic, and having these side by side makes it very clear to the client that SEO is working", advises Joshua George, Founder of ClickSlice.

Key metrics to focus on include:

To get the most out of rank tracking, combine this data with other performance metrics. As Jacob Hicks, Owner of Magnyfi, explains: "The real KPIs every client wants to know are leads and/or sales. We like to include both in our monthly reports. Ultimately, what is their ROI from our efforts?".

Tools like Keyword.com ensure 96.8% accuracy by using data centre rotation and proxy networks. This level of precision helps you make well-informed decisions based on reliable data.

7. SEO Task Automation

Automating SEO tasks can save time, increase efficiency, and let you focus on strategy while maintaining high-quality results.

SEO Project Tools

Today's SEO tools combine automation with strong tracking capabilities. For example, AgencyAnalytics offers project management features starting at £9.50 per campaign (minimum of 5 campaigns).

Here's a quick look at some top SEO tools and their features:

"SEO automation tools allow you to speed up tedious tasks, scale organic traffic, and drive report-worthy results quickly", says Aleksandr Tiulkanov.

Automated Task Systems

In addition to project management, automating specific tasks can simplify your workflow even further. Start by identifying repetitive tasks that can be automated without losing quality.

Here are some key components of an automated SEO system:

"Expert validation and refinement are key to transforming AI outputs into reliable, actionable results", highlights Aleksandr Tiulkanov.

To make the most of SEO task automation:

• Map out your workflow
• Start with simple, repetitive tasks
• Keep an eye on performance and tweak as needed

These practices build a streamlined system that improves efficiency across all your SEO efforts.

Conclusion

Key Automation Methods

SEO automation plays a major role in digital marketing today, with 75% of workers relying on AI tools. Let’s recap some of the core automation practices that have transformed SEO workflows.

The most effective approaches focus on automating repetitive, standardised tasks where results can be tracked easily. For instance, automated site audits can cut manual inspection costs by up to 50%. These tools save time and provide actionable insights.

This foundation paves the way for the next wave of automation, where emerging trends will reshape SEO strategies.

What's Next in SEO Automation

While automation continues to evolve, human expertise remains irreplaceable. Google's AI Overviews (formerly known as Search Generative Experience) is already changing how search works. Looking ahead to 2025, several trends are set to shape the future:

With organic search accounting for 53% of trackable website traffic, it’s more important than ever to strike the right balance between automation and expert input.

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