If you like spending time optimizing web pages for the internet, then you might have a calling as an SEO specialist.
In this article, we will cover what an SEO specialist is and what they do, as well as the skills needed to perform well in the role. We will also take a look at an average SEO specialist salary and tell you how to become an SEO specialist.
What is an SEO Specialist?
Work at a Marketing Agency
Take on SEO Clients and Projects
Want to practice SEO on your own website but don’t have one yet? Check out our WordPress Website Builder.
What is an SEO Specialist?
A search engine optimization (SEO) specialist is someone whose job it is to improve a website’s rankings in search engine results.
These people are also known as “SEO experts” and in short, they are someone who knows how to get more traffic from search engines.
An SEO specialist performs search engine optimization across an entire website to ensure content is relevant. up-to-date, and leads to a positive user experience. That includes writing and creating content specifically for SEO.
Other duties include tasks such as implementing and maintaining title and meta tags, URL redirects, and 404 errors; analyzing competitors’ web presence; monitoring Google Search Console and similar webmaster tools; identifying link-building opportunities; and negotiating contracts with agencies and vendors.
SEO specialists often work closely with other members of marketing and creative teams to hash on new business initiatives as well as update and coordinate social media accounts to increase user engagement.
Learning how to be a high-quality SEO specialist can open a world of opportunities working for individuals and companies in need of SEO help.
SEO Specialist Skills
In order to be an SEO specialist, you will need to know what skills are common among SEO experts.
Each job has different requirements, but below are most of the key core skills that SEO specialists have:
Knowledge and understanding of high-volume, low-competition keywords
Knowing how and where to add keywords to a webpage
On top of these key skills, SEO specialists need to have great communication skills. They need to be able to identify the best course of action for a client and articulate their reasoning for that decision clearly to their client.
SEO Specialist Responsibilities
SEO specialists wear many different hats in their roles.
Establish, implement, and develop optimization strategies that increase the company’s search engine results rankings
Perform keyword research to find valuable SEO keywords to use throughout the company’s website and marketing materials
Set and reach measurable goals that demonstrate improvement in marketing efforts
Monitor daily performance metrics to understand SEO strategy performance
Efficiently communicate with other marketing professionals to align goals
Collaborate with members of the marketing department to manage SEO strategy
Write strong, compelling, and high-quality website content such as blog posts and page descriptions
Maintain and update content and website links for maximum optimization and search engine rankings
Below we will cover some of the best things you can do to set yourself up for a role as an SEO specialist.
Taking SEO courses is a good way to quickly learn the basics of SEO and expand that knowledge until it becomes your area of expertise.
That means that by taking SEO courses and earning SEO certifications you can present a viable piece of proof that you know what you are doing when it comes to SEO.
Practice SEO on Your Own Website
If you want to market yourself it is essential that you have a website, and if you want to market yourself as an SEO specialist, it is essential that your website incorporates strong SEO best practices.
Working on your own site is a great opportunity for trial and error. When you have your own website, you can make changes and try things out right away instead of waiting for the approval of your boss or the site owner.
Use your site as a cycle to test, learn, and improve. Plus, when you operate and practice on your own site you get to see all of the factors and work that goes into making a site rank well such as using strong keywords and writing great content.
Work at a Marketing Agency
If you want to become an SEO expert then try to get your foot in the door at a marketing agency. When you work at a marketing agency, you are involved in a wide range of projects and have the chance to work with other marketing experts.
You are surrounded by people who already know and practice SEO. Just being around them allows you to pick up on more and learn SEO quickly.
If you want to take this a step further, try to become your marketing agency’s in-house SEO specialist.
Since a lot of businesses don’t have someone committed to SEO, just knowing the most about SEO could open up opportunities for you to become the authoritative voice at your company when it comes