Ranking Position reports enable you to compare the relative performance in the natural listings of the search engines for different keyphrase types. As a result, they are useful for viewing the peformance of your SEO.

These tools are particularly necessary if you have a large keyword portfolio or international sales are important so you can track performance in different countries.

Before signing up for these tools, do note the following caveats:

• Some of these services may contravene Google’s terms of service (www.google.co.uk/intl/en/webmasters/guidelines.html) although they are widely used today and this is unlikely to cause a problem.
• Minimising the number of ranking queries and using the Google API Key are likely to reduce this risk
• What really counts is not the position, but number of clicks arriving and converting on your site for different phrases so your web analytics software or other custom software from an SEO agency can sometimes do a better job here.

The main SEO ranking position tools are:

• Web Position

Formerly Web Position Gold (WPG), now owned by and partially integrated with WebTrends.

• Advanced Web Ranking)

Supplied by Caphyon. Uses Google API key.

• Agent Web Ranking

High adoption client and agency side. Uses Google API key.

• Internet Business Promoter

European tool, useful for international rank checking and includes sponsored listing reporting

• Digital Point keyword tracking.

Unlike the others, this is a free service, but can be used for smaller sites.

• Read more about improving your results from SEO in the E-consultancy SEO Best Practice Guide.