Free Trials of Ahrefs Alternatives
Why Teams Make This Switch and What to Expect
Teams often switch from Ahrefs to alternatives like Semrush, Moz, or Mangools for various reasons: cost, feature set, or even better support. Ahrefs is a robust tool, but its pricing can be a significant barrier for smaller teams or startups. For instance, Ahrefs offers a basic plan starting at $99 per month, which might be too expensive for small teams or startups with limited budgets. Semrush, on the other hand, offers a free plan with basic features and a paid plan starting at $119.95 per month, which can be more cost-effective for small businesses. When making the switch, teams should expect a significant change in the user interface and functionality, which may require a learning curve. Additionally, feature discrepancies and data differences can impact how teams conduct their SEO efforts.
Exporting Data from Ahrefs
To migrate from Ahrefs to another tool, the first step is to export your data. Ahrefs offers several ways to export data, including through the user interface and API endpoints.
Exporting Data via the User Interface
- Site Audit Data: Navigate to the Site Audit section and click on the "Export" button. Choose the format (CSV or JSON) and click "Export." For example, if you are exporting data for a site audit of 10,000 URLs, ensure the export includes all critical data points such as crawl errors, broken links, and page speed insights.
- Backlink Data: In the Backlink section, select the domain or page you want to export. Click on the "Export" button and choose the desired format. For instance, exporting backlink data for a domain with 10,000 backlinks would require careful selection of the relevant metrics such as domain authority, page authority, and referring domains.
- Keyword Data: In the Keywords section, select the keyword list you want to export. Click on the "Export" button and choose the desired format. Ensure the export includes all relevant keyword metrics such as search volume, keyword difficulty, and CPC.
Exporting Data via API
Ahrefs provides an API endpoint to export data in bulk. For example, to export backlink data, use the following endpoint:
```http
https://api.ahrefs.com/?output=json&target={domain}&type=backlinks
```
Replace `{domain}` with the domain you want to export. Use the API documentation for more details on specific endpoint parameters and authentication. For instance, to export backlink data for the domain `example.com`, the API call would be:
```http
https://api.ahrefs.com/?output=json&target=example.com&type=backlinks
```
This API call would return a JSON object containing all backlink data for the specified domain.
Importing and Reconfiguring in the New Tool
Once you have your data exported from Ahrefs, the next step is to import it into your new tool. Each tool has its own import mechanisms and setup steps.
Importing Data into Semrush
- Site Audit Data: In Semrush, navigate to the Site Audit section and click on "Import." Select the CSV file you exported from Ahrefs. Ensure the file includes all necessary columns such as URL, status code, and crawl errors.
- Backlink Data: In the Backlink section, click on "Import" and select the CSV file you exported from Ahrefs. Verify that the import includes all relevant backlink metrics such as referring domains and domain authority.
- Keyword Data: In the Keyword Magic Tool, click on "Import Keywords" and select the CSV file you exported from Ahrefs. Ensure the import includes all keyword metrics such as search volume and keyword difficulty.
Importing Data into Mangools
- Site Audit Data: Mangools does not directly import Ahrefs data. You will need to manually enter the data or use the data to configure your site audit settings. For example, you can manually input URLs and their status codes into Mangools.
- Backlink Data: In the Backlink section, click on "Import" and select the CSV file you exported from Ahrefs. Ensure the import includes all relevant backlink metrics such as referring domains and domain authority.
- Keyword Data: In the Keyword section, click on "Import" and select the CSV file you exported from Ahrefs. Ensure the import includes all keyword metrics such as search volume and keyword difficulty.
Common Issues and Fixes
Switching from Ahrefs to another tool can lead to several issues, including data discrepancies, functionality gaps, and user interface challenges.
Data Discrepancies
Different tools may have different methodologies for collecting and analyzing data, which can lead to discrepancies. For example, the number of backlinks reported by Ahrefs and Semrush may differ due to different crawling methods. To mitigate this, ensure you understand the data collection methods of both tools and adjust your expectations accordingly. For instance, Ahrefs uses a more aggressive crawling methodology, which may result in a higher count of backlinks compared to Semrush.
Functionality Gaps
Not all features available in Ahrefs are available in other tools. For example, Semrush does not have a direct equivalent to Ahrefs' Site Explorer. To address this, you can use a combination of features in the new tool to achieve similar results. For instance, in Semrush, you can use the Backlink Analytics tool to get detailed information about backlinks. Additionally, you can use the Site Audit feature in Semrush to identify and fix technical SEO issues.
User Interface Challenges
The user interface of a new tool may be significantly different from Ahrefs, leading to a learning curve. To ease this transition, familiarize yourself with the new tool’s documentation and tutorials. Semrush offers comprehensive help articles and video tutorials on their website. For instance, Semrush provides detailed guides on how to use the Backlink Analytics tool and the Site Audit feature, which can help teams quickly get up to speed with the new tool.
Realistic Timeline and Milestones
The migration process from Ahrefs to another tool can take several weeks, depending on the complexity of your setup and the amount of data you need to transfer. Here is a realistic timeline and milestones to help you plan:
Week 1: Export Data
- Day 1-3: Export site audit, backlink, and keyword data from Ahrefs. Ensure all data is complete and includes all relevant metrics.
- Day 4-5: Verify the exported data and ensure completeness. For example, cross-check the number of URLs, backlinks, and keywords to ensure no data is missing.
Week 2: Import Data into New Tool
- Day 6-7: Start importing data into the new tool (Semrush or Mangools). Ensure all data is imported correctly and includes all relevant metrics.
- Day 8-10: Configure settings and workflows based on the imported data. For example, set up alerts for new backlinks and keyword rankings.
Week 3: Testing and Fine-Tuning
- Day 11-14: Test the new tool’s functionalities and compare results with Ahrefs. For instance, compare the number of backlinks and keyword rankings between Ahrefs and Semrush.
- Day 15: Make any necessary adjustments to the new tool’s settings. For example, adjust the threshold for crawl errors in the Site Audit feature.
Week 4: Final Adjustments and Training
- Day 16-20: Conduct final adjustments and ensure all team members are trained on the new tool. For instance, conduct training sessions on how to use the Backlink Analytics tool and the Site Audit feature.
- Day 21: Full transition to the new tool. Ensure all team members are comfortable with the new tool and can perform all necessary tasks.
Conclusion
Switching from Ahrefs to another tool like Semrush or Mangools can be a complex but rewarding process. By following this guide, you can ensure a smooth migration and take full advantage of the new tool’s features. For more information on using Semrush for specific tasks, check out Using Semrush for Local SEO and Semrush vs Ahrefs for Agencies. If you are looking for other SEO tools, consider SEO Tools for Content Marketers and Keyword Research Tools for SaaS Companies.
