Sometimes, blog writing can feel like a total chore. And that’s before you even get to the “writing” part.
To create blog content for your website, you’ve got to be strategic. That means creating content around relevant topics and choosing keywords for SEO (ya know, so people actually see your blog content online).
Then, finally, comes the writing bit. And that includes research, crafting enticing headlines, and constructing some interesting, readable copy. Oh, and I forgot to mention getting your grammar and spelling right, too.
See what I mean? It’s an extensive, detail-oriented process. And that’s where online content writing tools become very handy.
They won’t literally do the work for you (there’s still something to be said about a human touch) but they can streamline your to-do list significantly.
So, here’s a list of our favourite free content-writing tools.
Title tools
1. Headline Analyser
As far as free content writing tools go, this one just about takes the cake.
What it is: A tool that analyses how effective your title is. It checks how many common, uncommon, emotional and powerful words you have. Ideally, you should have a balance for the best headline possible.
It also gives you an SEO score and tells you how your headline stacks up against other blogs targeting the same keyword.
How it works: Create a free account and use the web browser version or download the free WordPress plugin.
MonsterInsights also has a free headline analyser tool. It’s a little less overwhelming (so is a great place to start) but doesn’t have quite as much information on offer.
Grammar & Spelling
2. Grammarly
I use Grammarly every single day – so I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention it here.
What it is: The proofreader you need in your life, Grammarly lets you know when there’s a spelling issue or, you guessed it, a grammatical one.
It suggests words and even helps you condense sentences. To get the full Grammarly experience, you do need to pay to see ALL their suggestions.
How it works: Working in applications and across the web, this handy plugin follows you with suggestions wherever you write. It’s free, just create an account and you’re good to go.
3. Hemmingway Editor
What it is: An editor that assesses your content, with the aim of making your writing easier to digest.
It also gives you a word count and lets you know what reading level your content is. As a general rule of thumb, your blog content shouldn’t be above a year 6-8 reading level.
This is because people want information, fast. That means writing clear, simple sentences that get to the point. We’re not trying to write academic essays – we’re writing informative, digestible articles that answer questions.
How it works: On the right-hand side of the site, there’s a colour-coded bar that tells you what their suggestions are. This editor has two modes: either start writing in the application and use it like a Google doc or switch to edit mode and watch it light up your work like a Christmas tree.
Idea Generation
4. Answer The Public
What it is: Uses data from Google to see what people are searching for in relation to your keyword. Pick out a Q to answer or get some inspo for your next blog.
How it works: Simply enter your keyword, choose your country and hit search to see what information people are looking for in relation to your topic.
SEO
5. Yoast WordPress Plugin
If you have a WordPress website, this plugin is an absolute must.
What it does: Helps you optimise your blog posts so you’re at the top of your SEO game. Yes, please!
How it works: Find plugins on the left-hand side of your WordPress dashboard, then search “Yoast SEO” and voila, hit download and you’re good to go. Yoast will now show up on the backend of all your posts.
6. SEO Review Tools
What it is: Similar to Yoast’s SEO plugin for WordPress, so if you’re working with another website platform, I’d recommend you use this instead.
It’s not a plugin, and the desktop version isn’t free, so stick to the browser version. Like the other SEO tools, it analyses your text and gives you an SEO score and a list of things you’ve done well… and what needs improvement.
How it works: Scroll to the first “start writing content” button and you’ll be taken to the content editor. Type your content or copy n paste, popping in your keyword, title and meta description.
