I'd just get the LLC. Like others have said, it isn't expensive or time consuming, and it can provide that peace of mind, make it easier to set up a "business" bank account, and potentially save your ass with taxes.
If ~$250 bucks to set it all up is too much...I'd wonder if you're really that serious about your business idea?
I'm a "creator" (full time reporter) who occasionally purchases supplemental software solutions. I probably wouldn't pay for anything SEO related (although I'm sure some would), but I can think of a few other services I'd happily pay for.
What services would make sense for publishers, IMO, really depends on their content type and platform. Creator is so overly broad as to not really be helpful anymore