Almost 68% of digital experiences start with an online search. So, every business and brand wants to be a part of this world. However, having a website or creating a social media profile is not enough to drive success. You need to optimize various on-site and off-site elements to mark a strong online presence and reach potential clients.
That is where a search engine optimization expert comes to the rescue. SEO specialists help businesses improve their websites’ visibility on search engines by boosting their rankings on SERPs. They use varied tactics and platforms to build brand awareness and drive traffic to websites.
The question is how to become an SEO expert. Fortunately, it is not difficult. You just need to acquire SEO knowledge and skills to start working as a professional.
We have shared all the details to help you understand the entire journey of becoming an SEO specialist.
What Is SEO?
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a marketing tactic that optimizes websites and improves their online visibility on search engines. It boosts a website’s ranking for relevant searches, increasing organic traffic and conversions.
Search engines like Bing, Google, and Yahoo use complex algorithms to rank different websites. They consider factors such as user experience, authority, and relevance to determine how valuable and useful a web page is. SEO ensures that web pages meet search engine ranking factors to achieve higher ranking in SERPs.
If your website is not ranking at the top, it may be due to the following reasons:
- Poor link-building strategy
- Slow page loading speed
- Poor user experience
- Use of irrelevant keywords
- Competitors have better content
If you want to improve a website’s search engine ranking, you must master SEO basics. You must know the necessary changes to optimize a page and improve its rankings.
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Also Read: Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Specialist Job Description
What Is an SEO Expert?
An SEO expert is a skilled and knowledgeable professional who understands how search engines work and accordingly optimizes websites for higher search engine rankings and online visibility. SEO experts help businesses grow organic traffic to improve conversion and revenue.
Apart from technical expertise, they possess creativity, problem-solving, analytical, and creativity skills, which help them navigate the ever-evolving digital landscape. They analyze user behavior, industry trends, search intent, and other aspects of developing effective SEO strategies.
Companies recruit experienced and skilled SEO experts to handle their websites and accelerate business growth. They need proficients who are great not only at selling but also at delivering. So, if you are wondering ‘how to become an SEO expert?’, then start by getting familiar with the fundamentals.
You should know how to make web pages appealing and create compelling content. You should be able to optimize websites, blogs, and other aspects. Moreover, you must have a fair understanding of social media, content, design, etc.
Benefits of Becoming an SEO Expert
There are ample benefits to becoming an SEO specialist. It is one of the most sought-after job roles, and companies need them to run online businesses. Here are the top reasons to select SEO as your career path:
- Starting your SEO journey and becoming an SEO expert is simple and hassle-free. You don’t need any specific degree to join this field. You can take an online SEO course from a trusted institute, earn a recognized certificate, gain hands-on experience via assignments, and become career-ready in no time.
- Once you become an SEO professional, you can explore a myriad of job opportunities. Businesses are sparing no effort to attain higher rankings on search engines, and they need SEO services. So, make the best of the situation, apply for your dream jobs, and earn handsome salary packages.
- As an SEO expert, you can start your business and work hard to expand it. You can start a restaurant, B2B business, or any side hustle and use your knowledge to grow it. You have all the skills and resources you need to build a business from the ground up.
- SEO has become an essential part of any business, and no brand can survive in this competitive world without it. If you know how to implement SEO strategies correctly, it can work wonders for your career.
- If you like to travel or need a flexible job that can be done from anywhere, SEO is your solution. You can work as a freelancer or find a remote job that allows you complete work flexibility. You don’t have to leave your home or cancel your holidays anymore.
- SEO specialists have great growth potential as the field is constantly evolving. One of the biggest pieces of advice for people wondering how to become an SEO specialist is to keep pace with industry trends and changing algorithms.
- SEO professionals always remain relevant to companies and brands seeking ways to increase organic traffic and build brand awareness. Be a part of this industry and make a promising career by working with the top brands.
How to Become an SEO Specialist?
The following are the tips to learn how to be expert in SEO and master its concepts to make a promising career in the field.
- Understand How Search Engines Work
- Learn SEO Basics
- Take an Online Course
- Follow Industry Experts
- Get Familiar with SEO Tools
- Expand Your Network
- Gain Hands-on Experience
- Stay Consistent and Informed
- Build a Solid Portfolio
1. Understand How Search Engines Work
The first step to mastering SEO and becoming a skilled professional is to become familiar with how a search engine works. Many people directly jump to joining a course or watching advanced tutorials, but that’s the wrong way to learn.
It’s recommended to understand how search engines analyze web pages to rank them in SERPs. Also, you must know search engine algorithms and factors that affect a website rankings. You should learn the three main search engine processes:
- Crawling refers to discovering web pages and content on the internet.
- Indexing that search engines use to organize web pages and content.
- Ranking refers to how and where a website will appear in SERPs.
Learn the intricacies of optimizing websites and content so search engines can find, read, and index them easily for search engine ranking results.
2. Learn SEO Basics
As an SEO aspirant, you must already have knowledge of SEO fundamentals. However, you need to delve deeper into SEO because it is more than links and keywords. Driving organic traffic is one of the primary goals of SEO. The real objective of SEO is to provide a seamless and memorable user experience.
You must understand technical SEO, on-page SEO, and off-page SEO. Learn about different types of SEO tactics, marketing platforms, tools, and more. You must also know how to drive organic traffic and convert visitors into paying clients. Moreover, you need to offer prospects what they want.
Get insights into metadata, keyword research, optimization, analytics, etc. Know the guidelines and best practices to follow at every step of the SEO process. Master smaller aspects of SEO and then move to the more advanced and creative elements.
Also Read: Types of Backlinks in SEO (15 Different Off-Page Backlinks Types)
3. Take an Online Course
Now that you have started your SEO journey, it’s time to take it up a notch. There were days when people had to watch tutorials and read books to learn SEO, as there were no proper classes or courses.
Fortunately, you have ample online and offline sources to learn SEO. Join a reliable SEO course online to learn from industry leaders and seek professional guidance. You will work on multiple hands-on projects and get a sneak peek into how the industry works.
There are various options to choose from:
- You can start with content marketing to learn how to write SEO-friendly content for different channels.
- A complete SEO course that covers every topic, from basics to advanced. It also offers a plethora of learning materials and resources that you can use to acquire skills and knowledge.
- Certification courses help you become job-ready and validate your capabilities as an SEO professional.
- Google offers Google certification for aspirants seeking online training.
4. Follow Industry Experts
Don’t restrict your knowledge. Get access to all the resources and material you can to hone your skills. And what’s a better way to improve your skills than to follow industry leaders and experts who have proved their excellence?
Follow SEO professionals on LinkedIn, listen to their podcasts, read their blogs, and watch tutorials to know the SEO sector closely and prepare for it. You will understand the challenges to expect and the benefits of stepping into the sector.
There are a lot of online communities and events that guide beginners on how to be an SEO professional. Attend them, ask questions, share your ideas, and learn from the experiences of others.
Follow people on social media to stay updated with the industry trends and attend their online sessions for helpful advice.
5. Get Familiar with SEO Tools
One of the primary traits of SEO experts is their prowess in using advanced SEO tools. As an SEO professional, you have to deal with massive data, handle multiple digital platforms, track results, and measure campaign performances. You can’t expect to do all these manually because it will consume all your time and resources.
Therefore, proficiency in using SEO tools is a must. Start with something simple, such as Google Search Console, then shift to more advanced tools and upgraded versions. Here are the most popular SEO tools you must know about:
- Google Analytics, a free tool from Google, is used to track website traffic and user behavior. It helps marketers evaluate various reports and KPIs.
- Google Search Console is a commonly used SEO tool that offers detailed data about a website’s performance.
- Ahrefs is a paid tool trusted by several brands and marketers for its amazing features.
- SEMrush is an all-in-one SEO tool used for various tasks, such as competitive analysis, social media monitoring, PPC, link building, and keyword research. The tool is known for regular updates in its features and helps boost SEO efforts.
- Google Keyword Planner is a commonly-used keyword research tool.
6. Expand Your Network
If you want to thrive in digital marketing, you need to create a network and connect with industry experts. You can join online SEO communities through networking events, social media, and forums.
Be active on different channels, participate in discussions, exchange ideas, share insights, gain experience, and seek guidance. Connect with mentors to seek feedback for your work and engage with like-minded people. This will help you keep pace with the industry trend and find better growth opportunities.
7. Gain Hands-on Experience
It’s time to apply your knowledge in the real world by working on a few projects. During an SEO course online, you get to work on live assignments that help you build an impressive portfolio before starting your career. You can also do an internship to get practical experience and understand how a marketing team works.
When you work under the guidance of experienced SEO experts, you learn more than what’s written in books. You learn to create content, optimize various on-page elements, develop a campaign, execute SEO strategies, and track results. You also analyze website traffic, find relevant keywords, and use tools to monitor progress.
Work on varied projects for your friends or family members to obtain experience. Identify your strengths and weaknesses. Gain SEO skills and compile a portfolio that includes client testimonials, completed projects, and success stories.
Also Read: Top SEO Project Ideas & Topics for 2024 (Beginners To Advanced)
8. Stay Consistent and Informed
SEO experts know how to use digital technologies appropriately for various marketing campaigns. So, once you learn SEO and its concepts, it’s time to practice different techniques and build your practical skills. Ensure you are consistent with the practice and work across different industries to gain experience. Implement advanced methods and acquire soft skills to build a strong foundation.
Practice SEO tactics and experiment to understand what works and what doesn’t. It will sharpen your abilities and motivate you to take risks. Keep a tab of all your SEO activities and maintain a log for career growth.
Staying informed is another critical point in being an SEO expert. SEO evolves every month. The rules, algorithms, and ranking factors change frequently. Google alone introduces around 250 SEO updates every year. Hence, SEO professionals need to keep pace with the changes and adjust their campaigns. Follow authentic and reliable websites or blogs to know the latest news. Adapt faster and stay on your toes to stay relevant.
9. Build a Solid Portfolio
If you are not showcasing your work and achievements through a portfolio, all your efforts are in vain. You give your best to work on a project and expect more than a fee. When people appreciate your work, you get a real reward. So, build an impressive portfolio highlighting your projects, achievements, results, case studies, success stories, and contributions.
Whether you work on assignments during an SEO course or do an internship, compile a portfolio to show all that you have done. It will attract recruiters and clients, making you stand out when seeking opportunities.
The following are a few useful tips for building an SEO portfolio:
- While sharing your SEO efforts, mention numbers through measurable results. When people see figures, they tend to believe you more. Include KPIs like keyword rankings, website traffic, revenue growth, and conversion rates.
- Your case studies must include successful campaigns, increased organic traffic, and improved search engine rankings.
- Update your portfolio and add new projects, certifications, and achievements to show your commitment.
- Share expertise, insights, and strategies related to SEO.
Job Responsibilities of an SEO Expert
As you understand how to become an SEO expert, it’s equally important to learn about the roles and responsibilities of an SEO professional. Your typical day will bring a lot of excitement, tasks, and responsibilities.
1. Keyword Research
You will do keyword research, determining relevant and competitive search terms that the target audience uses to seek answers on search engines. Once you have a list of keywords, you will filter them to choose the most relevant ones and create content around them.
2. Optimization
This is a continuous process where you must optimize various on-page and off-page elements. There are different types of optimization, such as:
- Content
- Conversion
- Website
- Images
- Headings
- Meta tags
- URL structure
- User experience
- Keywords
- Guest blogs
- Links
3. Analytics
SEO experts also measure what works and what doesn’t. For this, they use analytical tools to track and monitor campaign performances and assess webpage performance.
4. Technical SEO
Technical SEO includes technical audits to find and fix issues that can affect a website’s performance, crawling, and indexing. It also includes optimizing URL structure and internal lining.
5. Link Building
Backlinks or inbound links are the links you acquire from another website to yours. They are vital ranking factors and, hence, need special attention. They show a vote of confidence, which builds a website’s authority. SEO professionals build quality and relevant links to win the trust of search engines and users.
Also Read: What Are Meta Tags in SEO? All Meta Tags Explained
6. Mobile Optimization
As a large part of online searches happens on smartphones, SEO experts need to optimize websites and apps for mobile devices. They enhance user experience, responsiveness, and loading speed of websites for mobile phones, which affects mobile SEO. Google also prioritizes websites with a mobile-centric approach. Thus, mobile optimization is important to an SEO expert’s job responsibility.
7. Collaborating with Other Marketing Teams
One of the key factors to becoming an SEO expert is partnering with other teams. As an SEO expert, you will work with other marketing teams to align your strategies and reach the same goals. You will collaborate with content marketers, social media marketers, PPC analysts, web developers, graphic designers, and PR teams.
8. Content Development
You will also create optimized, high-quality content that meets user intent and answers common queries. Your content must attract and engage the target audience and follow SEO best practices.
9. Keeping Up with the Industry
The digital world is evolving daily, and so are SEO methods. Search engines, especially Google, update their algorithms and ranking factors every month, so SEO experts must keep up with changes and market trends.
10. Web Coding
SEO professionals must possess basic knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. They must also know how to optimize various HTML tags and troubleshoot common website issues. They will work with developers to implement SEO tactics and ensure that the code is optimized.
11. Analyzing Websites
You will regularly assess websites, content, URL structures, meta tags, performance, and user experience to optimize them for search engines. If you find any loopholes or areas for improvement, you will take the necessary steps to fix them.
12. Monitoring Performance Metrics
You will track metrics and key performance indicators, including keyword rankings, organic traffic, and conversion rates. For this, you will use various analytical tools and gather data to make informed decisions.
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Qualities and Skills of a Good SEO Expert
A well-versed search engine optimization expert possesses the following skills and qualities:
1. Keyword Research
Keyword research refers to finding and identifying relevant short and long-term keywords to use in content, website, and social media posts and enhance a web page’s search engine rankings. Knowledge of keyword research is a prerequisite to executing a successful SEO campaign and generating desired results. You need to select keywords based on the search engine’s algorithm and search intent. Also, you must analyze the keywords that drive maximum conversion rates.
2. Analytical Skills
SEO experts must showcase analytical skills to interpret data, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions. They use different metrics and KPIs to assess the performance of an SEO campaign and use advanced tools to track a website.
3. Technical Proficiency
An SEO expert doesn’t need coding and programming skills but must be familiar with the basics of HTML. This helps them improve the technical elements of a website, including website architecture, HTML tags, images, URLs, etc. It also ensures that the code is optimized for search engines so they can crawl and index the website easily.
4. Decision Making
SEO professionals must be able to make quick and informed decisions to ensure that campaigns move in the right direction and align with business goals. Due to limited resources, they must also trust their judgement and balance insights with experience.
5. Communication Skills
SEO professionals collaborate with other teams, stakeholders, and clients. Therefore, they must communicate their ideas and views clearly and precisely. They must effectively convey their results, methods, and suggestions to technical and non-technical team members.
6. Creativity
Digital marketing is about implementing new and creative ideas to attract the audience. Hence, SEO experts must create compelling content, innovative marketing strategies, and engaging campaigns that drive maximum traffic. They must also use storytelling techniques to provide a seamless user experience on all marketing channels.
7. Time Management
SEO professionals must know how to use their time efficiently and prioritize their tasks. They must monitor multiple campaigns simultaneously while staying organized and calm. Also, they must generate the best results within the stipulated time.
8. Adaptability
SEO is an evolving field, with Google updating its algorithms every month. So, SEO specialists must adapt to these changes smoothly and update their campaigns according to industry trends. They must stick to best practices and market trends while implementing strategies.
Also Read: What Are LSI Keywords in SEO? Examples, Benefits, Use
Career Paths and Job Opportunities for SEO Experts
Search engine optimization is a crucial part of any digital marketing campaign. It has also opened a plethora of career opportunities for aspirants and businesses. After knowing how to become an SEO expert, it’s important to know the different career paths you can pursue:
SEO Expert- This job optimizes websites and content for search engines, implements on-page and off-page SEO strategies, and conducts keyword research.
Content Marketer- Integrates content development strategies into SEO techniques to optimize articles, blogs, social media posts, and website content.
SEO Consultant: Offers advice and recommendations to clients on improving website rankings, driving organic traffic, and enhancing online visibility.
SEO Manager- Leads a team of SEO specialists and content writers to ensure that campaigns are executed well. They analyze results and track campaign performances.
Digital Marketer- Takes digital marketing initiatives and coordinates marketing tactics, including content, social media, email, PPC, SEO, etc.
Freelancing or In-house SEO Job
Once you become an SEO expert, the next step is to consider whether you want to work as a freelancer or find a job in an agency or company. The two have different setups and their respective pros and cons.
Freelancing- You are your own boss. Therefore, you have complete freedom to decide work hours, projects, clients, and fees. You can choose clients and projects that intrigue you and charge an amount that suits you. However, finding clients is not easy and workload can be way too much sometimes.
In-house Job- When you join a company, it ensures job stability and consistent money. You get employee benefits and several growth opportunities. You also collaborate with different departments, which enhances your knowledge and skills.
You can also choose to work for a digital marketing agency, where you will get exposure to a range of projects and clients. You will interact with clients and work with multiple teams. However, it’s a high-pressure environment, and you must meet tight deadlines.
Also Read: Full On-Page SEO Checklist 2024 (With Strategy)
Salary Expectations for SEO Professionals
One common question after learning how to become an SEO specialist is how much SEO experts make. The salary packages of SEO professionals may vary based on their experience, expertise, knowledge, and job role.
A beginner’s average salary is around ₹18-20k per month, while a mid-level SEO expert can make ₹30-40k per month.
As you gain experience and apply for managerial roles, you can expect an average salary between ₹60-70k per month. Based on industry standards and expertise, you can earn impressive salary packages.
FAQs Related to Becoming an SEO Expert
If you want to become an SEO expert, you must possess the following skills:
– Keyword research
– Analytical
– Technical SEO
– Optimization
– Content development
– Problem-solving
– Communication
No, you don’t need any specific degree or experience to be an SEO professional. However, it’s always recommended that you take an online SEO course to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills.
To stay updated with the SEO trends and keep pace with the changing algorithms, you must follow industry blogs, attend webinars, join a community, expand your network, and experiment with different SEO strategies.
As businesses are moving online and looking for ways to expand their reach, they need skilled SEO professionals. The increasing competition in the digital marketing sector has made businesses depend increasingly on online platforms to connect with their audiences and enhance brand awareness. SEO experts apply their creativity and knowledge to help brands make the best of all online marketing channels and drive traffic to the website.
There is no single formula for being an SEO specialist. However, you must follow certain steps to learn SEO and hone your skills. Here are a few tips to help you:
– Learn the basics
– Join an online course
– Get familiar with trends and tools
– Follow industry leaders
– Read blogs and listen to podcasts
– Practice to learn and grow
– Build a portfolio
– Apply for a job or start freelancing
Becoming an SEO demands commitment, hard work, consistency, and training. So, start by enrolling in a reliable SEO course. It will help you clarify your concepts and gain hands-on experience under the guidance of industry leaders. You will also learn about different tools and technologies that come in handy in an SEO career. Completing a certification course will require a minimum of 3-4 months.
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Conclusion
Whether you are a web designer, social media marketer, PPC analyst, content marketer, or online store owner, if you have anything to do with websites or online business, you can become an SEO expert.
Search engine optimization is the heart of any digital marketing campaign. Hence, it offers promising careers and lucrative opportunities. The best part is that becoming an SEO expert is not rocket science. You just need to read, practice, and test your skills consistently.
The best way to start your SEO journey is by taking an online SEO course that provides all the information and concepts in one place through an extensive curriculum. WsCube Tech is a trusted platform to pursue SEO courses. We offer practical training programs that promise to transform you into a full-fledged SEO expert and elevate your career.
SEO is here to stay, and investing your time and effort in learning SEO is the best you can do to make a successful career.
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