1---
2name: tools-page-generator
3description: When the user wants to create, optimize, or audit free tools pages. Also use when the user mentions "free tools," "tools page," "toolkit," "free [X] tool," "free [X] calculator," "free [X] checker," "lead magnet tool," "programmatic tools," or "tools hub." For content strategy, use content-strategy.
4metadata:
5 version: 1.0.2
6---
7
8# Pages: Tools (Free Tools)
9
10Guides free tools pages that drive traffic and lead generation for the main product. **Tools are free, standalone utilities** — not the primary monetization. They serve the same ICP as the paid product, are often extracted mini-features from the full product (low dev effort), and typically scale via programmatic SEO. Distinct from features (paid capabilities) and resources (content hub).
11
12**When invoking**: On **first use**, if helpful, open with 1–2 sentences on what this skill covers and why it matters, then provide the main output. On **subsequent use** or when the user asks to skip, go directly to the main output.
13
14## Initial Assessment
15
16**Check for project context first:** If `.claude/project-context.md` or `.cursor/project-context.md` exists, read it for product, ICP, and conversion goals.
17
18Identify:
191. **Tool types**: Calculators, checkers, converters, generators (see Tool Types below)
202. **ICP alignment**: Same audience as paid product; tools solve related problems
213. **Format**: Single tool page vs. toolkit hub + per-tool pages
224. **Gate strategy**: No signup (max traffic) vs. email gate (lead capture) vs. usage limits (taste → upgrade)
235. **Tech**: Often SPA (single-page application); lightweight, fast load
24
25## Tools vs Features
26
27| Dimension | Tools | Features |
28|----------|-------|----------|
29| **Monetization** | Free; not primary revenue | Paid product capabilities |
30| **Purpose** | Lead gen, traffic, trust | Conversion, evaluation |
31| **Content** | Standalone utility; excerpt from product | Full product capability list |
32| **Scale** | Many tools; programmatic keywords | Fewer, curated |
33| **Format** | Often SPA; toolkit hub | Benefit-led grid/list |
34| **User intent** | "I need to do X now" (task) | "What can this product do?" (evaluation) |
35
36## Tool Page Structure
37
38| Section | Purpose |
39|---------|---------|
40| **Headline** | Task-focused; "Free [X] Checker" or "Calculate [Y] in Seconds" |
41| **Tool UI** | Input → process → output; minimal friction |
42| **Instructions** | 1–3 steps; "Enter URL → Click Analyze → Get Results" |
43| **Tool description** | What it does, who it's for; SEO content |
44| **FAQ** | Tool-specific: "What is [X]?", "How is [Y] calculated?" |
45| **CTA** | "Get full access" / "Try [Product] free" — link to main product |
46| **Related tools** | Internal links to other tools in toolkit |
47
48## Toolkit Hub Page Structure
49
50| Section | Purpose |
51|---------|---------|
52| **Headline** | "Free [Category] Tools" or "Free Tools to [Outcome]" |
53| **Category tabs/sections** | e.g., SEO Tools, AI Writing Tools, Local SEO (Semrush pattern) |
54| **Tool cards** | Name, one-line benefit, CTA to tool page |
55| **How to use** | Short ordered procedure (often 3 steps for hubs); e.g. Choose tool → Enter info → Get results. Section **H2** per **howto-section-generator**—prefer outcome/tool-led (“How to use these tools”) or “In *N* steps …” **only** when *N* matches the visible steps |
56| **CTA** | "Access 50+ tools with free account" |
57| **Social proof** | Logos, "Trusted by X brands" |
58
59## Tool Types (Common Patterns)
60
61| Type | Examples | Programmatic potential |
62|------|----------|-------------------------|
63| **Calculators** | ROI, LTV, loan, salary, carbon footprint | "[X] calculator" keywords |
64| **Checkers** | SEO, backlink, plagiarism, grammar, keyword rank | "[X] checker" keywords |
65| **Converters** | Unit, currency, file format, encoding | "[X] to [Y] converter" |
66| **Generators** | Sitemap, meta tags, FAQ schema, titles | "[X] generator" keywords |
67| **Analyzers** | Content, readability, sentiment | "[X] analyzer" keywords |
68
69## Best Practices
70
71### Lead Gen Focus
72
73- **Taste of product**: Tool delivers instant value; CTA offers "more" (full product, higher limits)
74- **No signup preferred** for top-of-funnel; email gate or limits for bottom-of-funnel tools
75- **Usage limits**: e.g., 3 checks/day free → upgrade for unlimited (Semrush, Ahrefs pattern)
76
77### Same ICP, Lower Friction
78
79- **Extract from product**: One capability from full product; low dev cost
80- **Same keywords**: Tools rank for "[X] tool" while product ranks for "[X] software"
81- **Bridge**: Tool users → trial signup when they hit limits or need more
82
83### Programmatic SEO
84
85- **Keyword patterns**: "[keyword] checker," "[city] [tool]," "[X] calculator" — template + data
86- **Scale**: Many tools; each targets long-tail; see **programmatic-seo**
87- **Template**: Same structure per tool; unique input/output, FAQ, meta
88
89### Technical
90
91- **SPA-friendly**: Single page, client-side processing; fast load
92- **Schema**: SoftwareApplication, HowTo for tool pages
93- **Mobile-first**: Tools often used on-the-go
94
95## URL Structure
96
97| Pattern | Example |
98|---------|---------|
99| **Hub** | /tools, /free-tools |
100| **Category** | /free-tools/seo, /tools/calculators |
101| **Per tool** | /free-tools/seo-checker, /tools/roi-calculator |
102
103## SEO
104
105- **Intent**: Informational + Transactional (task completion)
106- **Title**: "Free [X] Tool \| [Product]" or "[X] Checker — No Signup"
107- **Programmatic**: Template + keyword/data; avoid thin content; each tool adds unique value
108
109## Output Format
110
111- **Tool list** (types, names, keywords)
112- **Toolkit hub structure** (if multiple tools)
113- **Per-tool page structure** (sections, CTA placement)
114- **Gate strategy** (no signup vs email vs limits)
115- **Internal linking** (hub ↔ tools, tools ↔ product)
116- **Programmatic template** (if scaling)
117- **SEO** metadata
118
119## Related Skills
120
121- **card**: Tool card structure; name, benefit, CTA; grid layout for toolkit hub
122- **grid**: Toolkit hub grid layout; responsive columns
123- **features-page-generator**: Tools ≠ features; tools are free lead gen; features are paid capabilities; link from tools to product/features
124- **programmatic-seo**: Tools at scale; template + data; keyword patterns
125- **resources-page-generator**: Tools can be a section in resources; or standalone /tools
126- **landing-page-generator**: Tool page as lead-capture LP when gated
127- **schema-markup**: SoftwareApplication, HowTo for tool pages
128- **howto-section-generator**: "How to use" step section; HowTo JSON-LD with tool usage copy
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