Actually I would like to know this too.

I did read a thread about finding one that uses Googles API but even then a search reveals little help.

Anyone like to toss in a word or send a message?

Thanks

Any suggestions?

Yes, start migrating the client away from this type of micro-management.

Unless you have a well oiled machine in place to do this type of position checking, there are associated risks. Nothing major but you will get "your" IP banned for short periods if you are not careful. Do it too much, and you may need to use another IP.

I've found that by the time you run the reports which may take over a day or two if you are throttling like you're supposed to do, they are not accurate. Sure, they work as an overall indicator of where you "may be positioned", but that is about it.

I find that viewing the "Search Terms" section of Analytics programs will give you a very good picture of where you stand.

Is rank checking software really needed these days? For those of using WebTrends, are you also using the WPG portion of it?

I don't use WPG, I haven't in years. But I don't consider it micro-management if you just want to run reports on keywords to find your placement on the big 4.

I'm not trying to come off as smug so don't take it that way. Basically what I'm trying to do is the following:

1.) Run a report of what the website is doing now in it's current form and show my client "this is where your site is currently by each keyword on this search engine for the first 100 results."

2.) Run that report again for the 2 weeks after the site is redesigned and optimized to see if there is any change (or depending on when it will be crawled). Then run it again 2 weeks later for further results and optimize it from there.

I know their is alot of contributing factors for placement, I am well aware of them. My only question really is what program software or website can I use to meet that objective. If I have to use WPG that's fine. I'm in a position now where I'm a "do it all" rather than just "development".

Cheers.

Thank you for your comments. However, everything else aside, I'm still looking for some suggestions on best software to use for position reports. I have found that customers find this easier to understand vs. analytics software. They typically want to know where they stand for specific phrases in the top 4 search engines. WP4 just isn't cutting it. Will pay $$$ for better solution.

Unfortunately due to the TOS here at WebmasterWorld, you won't get any suggestions here at the public level.

I believe we had a very long thread in the Supporters Forum a while back that listed all the programs out there along with their pros and cons.