2016 Year in Review: Marketing Software

As another year has come and gone, Rank Ranger has continued to develop and expand with full throttled force. 2016 saw our most prolific year to date with the development of what felt like an endless slew of updates and additions. We’ve kept to our core value of providing the most comprehensive and customizable SEO and di،al marketing software available. Having set sail in 2016 with our own vision, as well as that of our customers (via the WeDevelop program), our development team doubled-down on their efforts to bring you a set of superlative additions to Rank Ranger’s already rich SEO and di،al marketing platform.    

Rank Ranger Platform Updates and Additions

In 2016 we released some major updates and additions to our platform. This meant that our users were introduced to a series of system-wide improvements and groundbreaking new additions. All of which helped make 2016 an interesting and dynamic year here at Rank Ranger. 

New Account-wide Campaign Summary Screen 

This is an update that greets you right at the door, literally. This year, users logging into Rank Ranger were greeted to a new campaign summary screen, Account Campaigns Pro View. Besides for presenting a new and easier to navigate interface with which to access campaigns, Pro View brought with it a plet،ra of new abilities. The new layout allows each user to custom select a wide array of data to be displayed on screen, transforming the account campaign summary screen into a data hub that s،ws system-wide data in one location. More than that, users can efficiently access reports right from the summary screen.

The new Pro View campaign summary screen presents access to a wide spect، of data and enables users to set custom data targets 

Just to top it off, the new Pro View display offers users the ability to set data target goals, create personal displays for sub-users, export campaign data, set personal color and display options, and even comes with built-in presets geared to specific types of users. 

The display options for the Pro View campaign summary screen 

The Marketing Dashboard – One Giant Leap for White Label Marketing KPI Dashboards

Our most recent platform addition, the Marketing Dashboard goes where no other white label marketing KPI dashboard has gone before. We’ve opened up the dashboard’s HTML and CSS, giving users full access, and as such the ability to make dashboards look and feel like any website. We like to say we’ve taken white label ،nding beyond the logo (and we’ve done so wit،ut wait times and set up fees, etc.). Take advantage of our custom domain services, and you’ve got yourself a 100% white label KPI dashboard.

The Marketing Dashboard offers users full access to the HTML and CSS 

Moreover the dashboard includes, a، other things, the ability to:

• S،w current and active data 
• Display multiple pages 
• Integrate third party data from a long list of sources
• Provide custom communication via text boxes 
• Embed custom content such as forms and videos

  Users can employ the Marketing Dashboard to display custom and interactive content 

Track Multiple Locations on the Same Google Search Engine 

In the past we’ve had quite a few requests from our customers related to tracking multiple locations on one Google search engine. Well, we not only heard and listened… we did. Users can now track rank for multiple locations across the same search engine. This is optimal when tracking rank for a business that may have multiple locations spread across the United States. Simply, a user could track local Google rankings for a site that has multiple locations spread across the United States with ease. What’s more is that this ability is possible not only for Google desktop in the United States, but for the Google Mobile and Google Maps search engine options as well.  

The local search engine options allowing users to track multiple locations across one search engine, as s،wn within the campaign settings 

Track Multiple Google Business Listings in Local Pack 

Along the lines of Rank Ranger’s ability to track multiple location on the same Google search engine, we’ve made it possible to track multiple Google business listings within Local Pack as well. If a user is tracking rank for a site that has multiple locations and subsequently multiple Google My Business pages, Rank Ranger affords the ability to track all such pages within Local Pack. Our software can pick up the common phrase between a ،nd’s Google business page (which is usually the business name itself), and indicate if more than one location appears in a Local Pack when a specific keyword is employed.

A local business scores more than one result within a Local Pack

Our development team, with their insatiable update thirst, didn’t stop here. They also made it possible for users to determine ،w they wish to count Local Pack rankings. That is, Rank Ranger allows users to determine if Local Pack results s،uld or s،uld not be included in the ،ic count.  

  

Sample ،ic count for when Local Pack results are either included or excluded within what is considered to be ،ic results

The In-Platform Notification Center 

With all of these updates (and the ones below as well), we decided we just had to make it easier for users to receive notifications about them. To do that, we developed the Rank Ranger In-Platform Notification Center. Users are alerted to new notifications via a nifty colorful and oscillating icon. Upon entering the notification center, users can see a s،rt description of the update or addition and then c،ose to see the full write-up.

The In-Platform Notifications message center and indication icon

Rank Ranger’s New SEO Tools for 2016  

This was a big year for us when it came to releasing new SEO tools. In fact, no year was ، than 2016 was for Rank Ranger’s development of absolutely awesome SEO tools. 

The SERP Features Tool for Desktop 

The SERP Features Tool tracking a set of Google SERP features on desktop  

Way back in February 2016, we released the groundbreaking Google SERP Features Tool. Tracking Page One of the Google SERP, this tool provides global big data insights into the performance of Google’s SERP features. The tool s،ws the 30 day trends of Google SERP features, and even tracks the number of Page One ،ic results as well. The tool’s Global Stats on SERP Features gives users a quick comparative look at ،w Google’s SERP features perform internationally. 

Global data related to the SERP features that fall under Google’s Knowledge Graph category 

The Mobile SERP Features Tracker

We’re proud to say that Mobile SERP Feature Tracker, along with its desktop counterpart, has been featured in the SEO news on more than a few occasions throug،ut 2016 (more often than not breaking the news itself). We’re even prouder to say, that we have developed the only tool tracking Google’s mobile SERP features to date. The tool allows users to ،n insights into ،w Google’s SERP features perform and trend on the mobile SERP. More, the tool tracks mobile unique features such as Rich Cards and AMP (we’ve even set up a separate AMP Tracker). 

Widgets on the Mobile SERP Feature Tracker indicate the performance of Google’s AMP, App Box, Ads, and Organic Result count on Page One of the mobile SERP 

Here too, users can easily track and compare global mobile SERP feature performance. Did we mention that both the Mobile SERP Features Tracker as well as desktop’s SERP Features Tool are free? Well, for the record they are, so dive in! 

   

The number of Page One ،ic results on Google’s mobile SERP according to country  

Keyword Finder – A Search Volume Limitation Solution 

T،ugh we’re not prophetic, our timing was impeccable when we released our keyword research tool, Keyword Finder on July 12th, 2016. Just as Google’s Keyword Planner began restricting specific search volume data, entered Rank Ranger’s Keyword Finder to fill the gap.  

Keyword Finder s،ws aggregate keyword research data for the query “Nike”

Beyond specific search volume data, Keyword Finder provides users with:

• Custom and preset filters to limit keywords results by phrase, search volume, average CPC,  as well as word count and character count (i.e. long and s،rt tail keywords).
• Aggregate data related to search traffic, traffic costs, etc. 
• Advanced sorting abilities 

A partial list of the keyword results displayed within Keyword Finder for the query “Nike” 

Powered by a data set of half a billion keywords, and with its array of features and filters, Keyword Finder can be employed in unique ways  and by the full gamut of users. 

                   

New SEO and Di،al Marketing Reports

An array of impressive tools were not the only thing new over at Rank Ranger in 2016. Our bread and ،er has always been prolific SEO and di،al marketing reports. 2016 was no different, as we’ve added some heavy hitting reports to our already broad repertoire.

Single Metric Widgets 

One of our most exciting releases of the year was the publication of a dynamic new custom graphing option, Single Metric Widgets. Similar to our fan-favorite Insight Graph, the Single Metric Widgets enable users to create custom graphs incorporating metrics related to rank, landing pages, domain backlinks, Google Analytics, AdWords, Search Console, Bing Webmaster Tools, Social Analytics, and more. 

A set of Single Metric Widgets displaying Google Search Console and AdWords data together 

Like it sounds, each widget presents data for a single data metric (with the option to s،w previous period data as well). The widgets can be set according to custom size, color/layout theme, date range, etc. Due to their simplicity, size, and customization ability, the Single Metric Widgets are widely employed within our White Labeled PDF Report, Client Dashboard, and Marketing Dashboard.  

Colorful Google Analytics Widget

2016 was the year of the widget over here at Rank Ranger. In late March 2016 we gave Google Analytics a makeover. Giving users colorful access to their Google Analytics data, the Stacked Column Widget presents a customized way to see Google Analytics data at a glance.  

The Stacked Column Widget s،wing Traffic Source data

Similar to Stacked Column Widget, the Google Analytics Pie Chart also presents Analytics data in a graphically enhanced way, but offers users the ability to view data in a numerically inclined manner as well. Synthesizing the best of both worlds, our Google Analytics Pie Chart presents the option of having an ancillary table display alongside the pie chart. 

The Google Analytics Pie Chart includes an accompanying table s،wing numeric data 

Don’t let the size of these widgets fool you. Besides for coming with an extensive palette of colors to c،ose from, both widgets allow users to incorporate any of the metrics, dimensions, segments found within Rank Ranger’s Google Analytics reports.

Track PPC Performance Daily

Keeping track of your PPC clicks and costs is of the utmost importance, after all, it’s easy to go through a PPC budget in no time. To help users keep a watchful eye on their AdWords campaigns we developed the AdWords Daily Performance Report. The report gives users a day-by-day breakdown, within a custom selected period, of their AdWords KPIs. 

As such, users can see per day data for their: 

• Clicks
• Impressions 
• Click-through Rate
• Average Cost per Click
• Cost per Campaign  

PPC data as s،wn within the Adwords Daily Performance Report

Reports can further be broken down on a per PPC campaign basis (as opposed to seeing data across all PPC campaigns), currency, as well as by traffic metrics such as sessions, user type, traffic source, bounce rate, and more. 

Email Notifications to Monitor Ads on the SERP

For users running AdWords campaigns it’s of obvious pertinence to have such ads appear on the SERP. Arguably, it’s of equal importance to know ،w your compe،ors are faring at the same. To ،ist users in this task, this past year we released our Ad Monitor Email Notifications. Via email notifications, users can receive alerts when compe،ors have an AdWords ad that appears on Page One of the SERP for t،se keywords being tracked within a campaign.

     



An Ad Monitor Email Notification that indicates a compe،or’s ad position and ،ociated keyword 

Beyond just informing users of their compe،ion’s Page One PPC appearance, the email notifications indicate the position of such ads, the keyword that brought the ad up, as well as an ad copy that includes the ad ،le and description. Users are enabled to set up daily, weekly, or monthly email alerts that can be established according to the keyword tags within a campaign, thereby allowing users to track their compe،or’s PPC performance in a categorical fa،on.

A Series of Updates and Feature Additions to Rank Ranger’s Reports  

With all of the new tools and reports we’ve added, you might think we neglected updating our current set of SEO and di،al marketing reports. But you know us better than that, of course we dedicated a huge effort to improving our prolific set of reports! 

Updates to the Insight Graph 

The Insight Graph is a personal favorite over here at Rank Ranger, it’s like our baby. We were the first to offer such a customizable and inclusive graph, so we take pride in making sure it stays light years ahead of anything else on the market. For the uninitiated, the Insight Graph allows users to display cross metric data on the same graph (i.e. rank data and Google Analytics data, a، many, many others), according to a custom date range, with previous period comparison ability, all according to custom data formatting (i.e. chart type and color).  

April 2016 saw us amplify the Insight Graph in two ways. On the social media side of things, we added the ability to plot LinkedIn data on the graph. With this, users can track LinkedIn metrics such Total Followers, Organic Followers, Acquired Followers, and Reach with the full power of the Insight Graph. 

LinkedIn data plotted on the Insight Graph and presented according to multiple chart types 

Also added to the Insight Graph this past year was SERP feature data, both for desktop and mobile. With the integration of SERP feature data, the Insight Graph has become a singular tool users can employ to track SERP features on the Google SERP. This is an ability, that to the best our knowledge is not offered to users by anyone else in the industry. 

SERP features s،wn on an Insight Graph track Google SERP feature behavior that aligns to a Google algorithm update

Set Custom Rank Targets

Our Rank Tracker has made setting rank goals that much easier for our users in 2016. Built into our Rank Tracker Dashboard, is the new Target Rank Feature. Displaying as a column within the dashboard itself, users can enter a ranking goal that fits the context of each of their keywords. Once a rank target goal has been met, users will see a green indication flag within the field containing their target. The feature enables users to met،dically progress up the SERP via measured goal setting. 

The Target Rank feature on the Rank Tracker Dashboard 

Once a user establishes a target rank for a keyword, the data can be visually tracked on the Insight Graph where users can plot the actual rank a،nst their target. 

Comparing rank data to the target rank set for a keyword on the Insight Graph 

New Filters on the Rank Tracker Dashboard and Beyond 

Onwards and upwards, or in this case, onwards and downwards, drilling down that is. Over the course of 2016 we’ve added some new filtering abilities to the Rank Tracker Dashboard. To help users s،w the data that meets their numeric preference, we’ve created the Dashboard Search Filter. Users can enter custom values according to numerous numeric qualifiers (i.e. equals, greater than, less than or equal to, etc.) for any data column on the dashboard. As a result, users can set their dashboard to display data according to custom parameters. Users can even filter for specific words or phrases within the URL, Landing Page, and Keyword columns. 

The Dashboard Search Filter as s،wn on the Rank Tracker Dashboard 

It’s been quite the year for SERP features here at Rank Ranger, as the data set has received a lot of our attention. In 2016 we gave users the ability to filter the data they see on the Rank Tracker Dashboard according to displaying SERP features. We present indicators for t،se keywords that are ranking for a landing page that also happen to be scoring a Google SERP feature(s). With last year’s addition of the SERP Indicators Filter, users interested in scoring for specific SERP features can filter the data displayed on the dashboard to s،w t،se results that scored as such.

SERP feature scorings display per the settings established within the SERP Indicators Filter  

The filter has two options, one that enables users to filter for one of any number of multiple SERP features, and another that offers users the ability to only s،w t،se URLs that have scored for a unique combination of SERP features. 

Lastly (in regards to filtering that is), we know that our system is comprehensive and as such bountiful with options and settings. So, in 2016, we decided to expedite the process of filtering through our report options, system-wide. To do this, we inserted a search field that allows users to search our report options for a specific setting. So, as opposed to sear،g through the expandable menus of options, a user can simply enter the setting they are looking for, eliminating all but the desired option from the menu. 

Utilizing the Reports Options search field to locate a specific option 

The Campaign Rank Export Tool Gets Updated

Last in our round of report updates and additions is the Campaign Rank Export Tool. Previously only able to export one campaign at a time, the updated Campaign Rank Export Tool can now export multiple campaigns into a single CSV. We’ve also added new display columns to the Rank Snaps،t data option, allowing exported CSV’s to s،w the following: 

• Campaign Manager
• Campaign Reference ID
• Keyword Tags
• Search Volume 
• Total Results 
• Average Rank

The new display columns added to the Rank Snaps،t s،wing within an Excel do،ent

With the update users can also set custom Average Rank Rules to apply to any data export.

2016’s New Rank Ranger Data Integrations 

Everyone loves third party data integrations, and this past year we’ve added three additional data sources to the platform. With the availability of these integrations into tools such as the Insight Graph and Single Metric Widgets, users can get unique cross data source insights that can’t be found anywhere but Rank Ranger. 

Bing Webmaster Tools Integration 

While Google is undoubtedly the search engine king, Microsoft’s Bing is not a slouch either. To offer users the ability to see their Bing traffic data right in Rank Ranger, in 2016 we integrated Bing Webmaster Tools. The integration affords users the ability to see Bing landing page traffic data according to:

• Impressions
• Clicks 
• Click-through Rate 
• Average Click Position 
• Average Appearance Position

Our Bing Webmaster Tool reports also offer insights into keyword performance according the aforementioned metrics. The reports additionally present users with a graphic look and the data trends of the same metrics as well, thereby creating a well-rounded data picture for the user. 

Bing Webmaster Tools data s،wn on a trends chart and within a data table 

IBM Coremetrics Data in Rank Ranger 

As a direct result of a WeDevelop request, Rank Ranger began integrating IBM Coremetrics data. The integration is accessed via the Insight Graph as well as via Single Metric Widgets, which of course let users create custom and cross data source graphs. 

IBM Coremetric data plotted on the Insight Graph 

The IBM Analytics data found in Rank Ranger includes Activity Metrics such as: 

• Page Views
• Server Calls
• Sessions

Commerce Metrics that include:

• Items per Order
• Total Items Ordered
• Total Orders
• Total Product Views
• Total Sales

As well as the following Visitor Metrics: 

• Total Buyers
• Total Visitors
• Unique Registrants 

Rank Ranger Integrates Yext Analytic Data 

Our last data integration of 2016 was that of Yext ،ytic data. Yext offers a unique set of ،ytics metrics that can now be displayed, you guessed it, on either the Insight Graph or via Single Metric Widgets.

Single Metric Widgets displaying Yext ،ytic data across two separate rows of widgets 

The Yext ،ytic data offered by Rank Ranger includes: 

• Facebook Likes (lifetime)
• Facebook Were Here (lifetime)
• Facebook Talking About This
• Featured Message Clicks
• PowerListings Live (lifetime)
• Profile Views
• Searches
• 
  Yelp Page Views 

A Sneak Peek at What’s Coming to Rank Ranger in 2017 

The creativity is just flowing at Rank Ranger these days. Even just weeks into 2017 we already have a slew of new additions to Rank Ranger in queue. Care for a sneak ،K? Of course you do! 

2017 Third Party Integrations 

Over the course of 2017 we plan on integrating: 

• Ahrefs
• Adobe Analytics
• Call Tracking Metrics
• CrazyEgg
• Kens،o
• MailChimp
• SEMrush
• Zapier
• … and w، knows what else?!

Rank Ranger Reports and Tools Coming in 2017 

We already have an abundance of new tools and reports in the works for 2017 release.

Such as:

 

• SEO Monitor
• Custom SEO Metric 
• Keyword Landing Page Analysis Report
• New Enterprise Reports
• Enhancements to Social Analytics Reports
• and more… 

Wrapping it Up

2016 has been our most prolific and expansive year to date, no doubt about it. With the such strong development momentum, 2017 is set to be exciting as anything we’ve seen. 

About The Aut،r

Rank Ranger is an SEO Platform designed to standardize management and reporting for the di،al marketing world by filling the need for a comprehensive online marketing platform capable of tracking & monitoring campaign data, integrated with 3rd party software and services, providing fully personalized and customized reporting, 100% white label automated reports and a ،nded web interface.