How SearchAtlas (and Now Otto) Became My Go-To SEO Tools

Back when I was managing big teams as an SEO Director or as a Marketing Director, SEMrush was my daily driver. It’s a fantastic product, but for a bootstrapped agency (Like we started in 2023!), the price is tough to swallow. When I launched AVLC, I couldn’t justify the cost—so I went looking for something that would give me comparable power and flexibility, but at a fraction of the price.

That’s when I found SearchAtlas. For anyone working solo or on a tight budget, it’s a game changer. SearchAtlas has most of the same core features—comprehensive keyword research, technical site audits, competitor analysis, backlink monitoring, and content optimization. But it’s way more accessible for small businesses and independent marketers.

Key benefits I found with SearchAtlas:

• • Affordable pricing for solo founders and small teams

• • Robust keyword and competitor research tools

• • Technical SEO audits and actionable recommendations

• • Backlink tracking and content optimization

• • Constantly evolving platform with new features

How I Use SearchAtlas (and Now Otto) in My Day-to-Day

As the main strategist, implementer, and optimizer at AVLC, I needed tools that could keep up with my pace and help me drive results for both my brands and my clients. SearchAtlas let me do everything I used to do with SEMrush—without the sticker shock. I use it for:

• • Deep keyword research before launching any campaign

• • Regular site audits to catch and fix technical issues

• • Tracking keyword rankings and adjusting strategy on the fly

• • Monitoring competitors and finding new backlink opportunities

Otto, the AI assistant recently added to SearchAtlas, takes things even further. Instead of manually implementing every insight (which used to eat up hours), I can now let Otto automate a lot of the heavy lifting. It’s a huge leap forward for solo operators like me—AI-powered SEO at a price a bootstrapped agency can handle.

The Aha Moment: Affordable SEO Success with SearchAtlas & Otto

The real moment of clarity came when I realized I didn’t have to sacrifice quality for affordability. With SearchAtlas, I was able to deliver the same results for clients—like the dramatic growth we achieved with AlgaeBarn—using tools that fit my budget and workflow. And now, with Otto’s AI SEO features, I can implement recommendations faster and more efficiently than ever.

Since making the switch:

• • I spend less time on repetitive SEO tasks

• • My sites (and client sites) rank higher for competitive keywords

• • I can focus more energy on strategy and growth, not just grunt work

Who Should Use SearchAtlas and Otto?

These tools are perfect for:

• • Solo entrepreneurs and small agencies who need enterprise-level SEO without enterprise pricing

• • eCommerce site owners looking to boost organic traffic

• • Marketers who want automation and actionable insights

If you’re tired of paying too much for SEO tools, or you’re building your business from the ground up, SearchAtlas (and Otto) are absolutely worth a try.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SearchAtlas as powerful as SEMrush or Ahrefs?
For most small businesses and agencies, yes. It covers the core features you need at a much lower price.

How easy is it to use?
Super intuitive—no steep learning curve, and the support is solid.

What’s the deal with Otto?
Otto is the new AI assistant that automates site audits, monitors for issues, and helps implement recommendations—so you spend less time on manual SEO.

Need help getting started or have questions?
Drop a comment or reach out (It’s really me in the chat window!)
I’m happy to share what’s working for me.