Stop using SEO templates that don't fit your workflow
Generic SEO templates waste more time than they save. Here's how to spot them and why I build my own.
I've downloaded dozens of "ultimate SEO templates" over the years. Most of them are bloated with tabs I never use, formulas that break, and instructions written for a hypothetical beginner. They're designed to look impressive in a sales page, not to be useful in the real world.
A good template should feel like an extension of your brain. It should have exactly what you need and nothing you don't. When I built my keyword clustering spreadsheet, I started with the output I wanted — a clean, prioritized list of clusters — and worked backward. No extra columns. No conditional formatting that makes your eyes bleed. Just the data that drives decisions.
If you're spending more time deleting columns than actually working, it's time to switch. Look for templates that show real examples, include a changelog, and offer direct support. Or better yet, build your own — and if you don't have the time, grab one of mine.