SEO is one of the most in-demand and rewarding skills in the digital marketing industry. But how do you start and grow your SEO career?
In this blog-post, we’ll show you how to get started, what skills you need, and how to advance your SEO career.
Under how to start an SEO career, we’ll explain the basic steps to start an SEO career, such as learning the fundamentals, choosing a niche, building a portfolio, and finding clients or jobs.
We’ll also provide some useful resources and tips for learning SEO, such as online courses, blogs, podcasts, books, and tools. We’ll also share some examples of successful SEO professionals and how they started their careers.
Under how to grow your SEO career, we’ll explain the key skills and competencies that are required to grow your SEO career, such as technical SEO, content marketing, link building, analytics, and strategy.
We’ll also provide some best practices and advice for improving your SEO skills, such as staying updated with the latest trends, experimenting with different techniques, networking with other SEOs, and seeking feedback. We’ll also share some examples of advanced SEO projects and challenges that can help you grow your career.
What is SEO and Why is it Important for Digital Marketing?
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization, which is the process of improving the quality and quantity of traffic to a website from search engines like Google or Bing.
SEO helps websites rank higher on the search results pages (SERPs) for relevant keywords and phrases that users are searching for. SEO also helps websites provide a better user experience, increase brand awareness, and generate more leads and conversions.
SEO is important for digital marketing because it helps businesses reach their target audience online and drive organic traffic to their websites.
Organic traffic is the traffic that comes from the natural or unpaid results on the search engines, as opposed to paid traffic that comes from ads or sponsored links.
Organic traffic is more valuable because it is more likely to be interested, engaged, and loyal to the website. According to a study by BrightEdge, organic traffic accounts for 53% of all website traffic, while paid traffic accounts for only 15%.
SEO is also important for digital marketing because it helps businesses gain a competitive edge in the online market. With billions of websites on the internet, it is crucial to stand out from the crowd and attract the attention of potential customers.
SEO helps businesses optimize their websites for the search engines and the users, and create relevant and valuable content that matches the search intent and needs of the users. SEO also helps businesses build trust and credibility with the users and the search engines, and establish their authority and reputation in their niche.
What are the Benefits of Having an SEO Career?
Having an SEO career can offer you many benefits, such as:
- High demand: SEO is a vital skill for any business that wants to succeed online. As the internet grows and evolves, so does the need for SEO professionals who can help businesses optimize their websites and content for the search engines and the users. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for SEO specialists is expected to grow by 8% from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations.
- Flexibility: SEO is a flexible career that allows you to work from anywhere, anytime, and with anyone. You can work as a freelancer, a consultant, an agency employee, or an in-house specialist. You can work on different projects, niches, and industries. You can work remotely, from home, or from a co-working space. You can work full-time, part-time, or on a contract basis. You can work independently, with a team, or with clients. You can set your own schedule, rates, and goals.
- Creativity: SEO is a creative career that requires you to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions and strategies. You have to constantly research, analyze, and experiment with different SEO techniques and tools. You have to create engaging and informative content that appeals to both the search engines and the users. You have to find new ways to optimize your website and content for the changing algorithms and user behavior. You have to keep up with the latest trends and developments in the SEO industry and the digital marketing world.
- Income potential: SEO is a lucrative career that can offer you a high income potential. According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for an SEO specialist in the U.S. is $52,424 per year, with a range from $19,000 to $112,500 per year. The salary can vary depending on your experience, skills, location, and employer. You can also earn extra income by offering SEO services to clients, creating SEO courses or products, or monetizing your own website or blog.
How to Start an SEO Career
In starting an SEO career, you need to follow some basic steps. Here are the main steps to start an SEO career:
1. Learn the fundamentals of SEO
Before you can start working as an SEO professional, you need to learn the basics of SEO, such as how search engines work, what are the main ranking factors, how to conduct keyword research, how to optimize a website and its content, how to measure and report SEO performance, and how to follow SEO best practices and guidelines.
Learning the fundamentals of SEO will help you understand the core concepts and principles of SEO, and prepare you for more advanced topics and skills.
2. Choose a niche or specialization
SEO is a broad and diverse field that covers many aspects and disciplines, such as technical SEO, on-page SEO, off-page SEO, local SEO, international SEO, e-commerce SEO, mobile SEO, and more. To start an SEO career, you need to choose a niche or specialization that suits your interests, skills, and goals.
Choosing a niche or specialization will help you focus your learning and practice, and differentiate yourself from other SEO professionals. You can also choose to be a generalist SEO who can handle different types of SEO projects and tasks, but you still need to have a solid foundation in all the main areas of SEO.
3. Build a portfolio or a personal website
To start an SEO career, you need to have a portfolio or a personal website that showcases your SEO skills and experience. A portfolio or a personal website is a way to demonstrate your SEO knowledge and abilities, and to attract potential clients or employers.
You can create a portfolio or a personal website by applying your SEO skills to your own website or blog, or by offering SEO services to other websites or businesses. You can also include case studies, testimonials, and results that prove your SEO expertise and value.
4. Find clients or jobs
To start an SEO career, you need to find clients or jobs that will pay you for your SEO services or skills. You can find clients or jobs by using different methods, such as freelancing platforms, job boards, social media, networking, referrals, cold emailing, or pitching.
You can also create your own SEO products or courses, and sell them online. You need to have a strong resume, cover letter, and proposal that highlight your SEO skills and experience, and show how you can help your clients or employers achieve their SEO goals and objectives.
Useful Resources and Tips for Learning SEO
Learning SEO can be challenging and overwhelming, especially if you are new to the field. However, there are many useful resources and tips that can help you learn SEO effectively and efficiently.
Here are some of the best resources and tips for learning SEO:
1. Online courses
Online courses are one of the best ways to learn SEO from scratch or to improve your SEO skills. Online courses can provide you with structured and comprehensive SEO lessons, tutorials, and exercises, that cover both the theory and the practice of SEO.
You can find online courses for different levels, topics, and budgets, and learn at your own pace and convenience.
Some of the best online courses for learning SEO are:
- The RankMath SEO Course: This is a comprehensive and practical SEO course that teaches you everything you need to know about SEO, from the basics to the advanced. You will learn how to rank your website on the first page of Google, how to optimize your website and content for SEO, how to perform keyword research and competitor analysis, how to build links and authority, how to use SEO tools and analytics, and more.The course includes over 3 hours of video lectures, quizzes, and a certificate of completion, they also add new videos every month.
- SEO Training Course by Moz: This is a free and beginner-friendly SEO course that teaches you the essentials of SEO, such as how search engines work, what are the main ranking factors, how to optimize your website and content for SEO, how to measure and report SEO performance, and how to follow SEO best practices and guidelines. The course includes 3.5 hours of video lectures, quizzes, and a certificate of completion.
- SEO Specialization by Coursera: This is a comprehensive and professional SEO specialization that teaches you how to develop, implement, and measure a successful SEO strategy. You will learn how to conduct SEO audits, how to optimize your website and content for SEO, how to perform keyword research and competitor analysis, how to build links and authority, how to use SEO tools and analytics, and how to create an SEO plan and report. The specialization includes 6 courses, each with video lectures, quizzes, assignments, and projects, and a certificate of completion.
2. Blogs
Blogs are one of the best ways to stay updated with the latest trends and developments in the SEO industry and the digital marketing world. Blogs can provide you with valuable and actionable SEO insights, tips, tricks, and best practices that can help you improve your SEO skills and results.
You can find blogs for different niches, topics, and levels, and learn from the experts and practitioners in the field. This website is a perfect place to learn about SEO and content marketing.
Some other blogs for learning SEO are:
- Search Engine Journal: This is one of the most popular and authoritative SEO blogs that covers all aspects and disciplines of SEO, such as technical SEO, on-page SEO, off-page SEO, local SEO, international SEO, e-commerce SEO, mobile SEO, and more. You can find the latest SEO news, guides, case studies, podcasts, webinars, and events, that can help you learn and grow your SEO career.
- Backlinko: This is one of the most influential and respected SEO blogs that focuses on link building, content marketing, and SEO strategies. You can find in-depth and data-driven SEO guides, tutorials, case studies, and infographics, that can help you boost your SEO performance and rankings. You can also join the Backlinko newsletter and get exclusive SEO tips and tricks that are not published on the blog.
- Ahrefs Blog: This is one of the most comprehensive and practical SEO blogs that teaches you how to use Ahrefs, one of the most powerful and popular SEO tools in the market. You can find detailed and step-by-step SEO guides, tutorials, case studies, and videos, that can help you master Ahrefs and improve your SEO skills and results. You can also learn how to use Ahrefs for different SEO tasks and goals, such as keyword research, competitor analysis, link building, content marketing, and more.
3. Podcasts
Podcasts are one of the best ways to learn SEO on the go, and to listen to the opinions and experiences of the SEO experts and practitioners in the field. Podcasts can provide you with engaging and informative SEO conversations, interviews, stories, and debates that can help you expand your SEO knowledge and perspective.
You can find podcasts for different niches, topics, and levels, and listen to them anytime and anywhere.
Some of the best podcasts for learning SEO are:
- The Search Engine Journal Show: This is one of the most popular and reputable SEO podcasts that features the top SEO experts and influencers in the industry. You can listen to the latest SEO news, trends, tips, and best practices, and learn from the success stories and challenges of the SEO professionals. You can also ask questions and get answers from the SEO experts on the podcast.
- The Authority Hacker Podcast: This is one of the most practical and actionable SEO podcasts that teaches you how to build and grow authority websites and blogs. You can listen to the real-life SEO experiments, case studies, and strategies, and learn how to optimize your website and content for SEO, how to perform keyword research and competitor analysis, how to build links and authority, how to monetize your website or blog, and more.
4. Books
Books are one of the best ways to learn SEO in depth and detail, and to get a comprehensive and holistic view of SEO. Books can provide you with the theory and the practice of SEO, and help you understand the concepts and principles of SEO.
You can find books for different niches, topics, and levels, and learn from the authors and experts in the field.
Some of the best books for learning SEO are:
- The Art of SEO: Mastering Search Engine Optimization: This is one of the most comprehensive and authoritative SEO books that covers all aspects and disciplines of SEO, such as technical SEO, on-page SEO, off-page SEO, local SEO, international SEO, e-commerce SEO, mobile SEO, and more. You will learn how to develop, implement, and measure a successful SEO strategy, how to optimize your website and content for SEO, how to perform keyword research and competitor analysis, how to build links and authority, how to use SEO tools and analytics, and more. The book is written by some of the most renowned and respected SEO experts in the industry, such as Eric Enge, Stephan Spencer, and Jessie Stricchiola.
- SEO 2023: Learn Search Engine Optimization With Smart Internet Marketing Strategies: This is one of the most up-to-date and practical SEO books that teaches you how to rank your website on the first page of Google in 2023 and beyond. You will learn how to optimize your website and content for SEO, how to perform keyword research and competitor analysis, and how to build website authority.
How to Grow Your SEO Career
Once you have started your SEO career, you need to keep growing and improving your SEO skills and competencies. SEO is a dynamic and competitive field that requires you to constantly learn and adapt to the changing algorithms and user behavior.
To grow your SEO career, you need to master some key skills and competencies such as:
1. Technical SEO
Technical SEO is the skill of optimizing your website and its infrastructure for the search engines and the users. Technical SEO involves aspects such as site speed, site structure, site security, site crawlability, site indexability, site usability, site accessibility, and site compatibility.
Technical SEO helps you ensure that your website is fast, secure, easy to navigate, easy to understand, easy to use, and easy to find by the search engines and the users. Technical SEO also helps you prevent and fix any technical issues or errors that might affect your SEO performance and rankings.
2. Content Marketing
Content marketing is the skill of creating and distributing relevant, valuable, and engaging content for your target audience and your SEO goals. Content marketing involves aspects such as content strategy, content research, content creation, content optimization, content promotion, and content measurement.
Content marketing helps you attract, inform, educate, entertain, and persuade your audience, and convert them into leads and customers. Content marketing also helps you build trust and credibility with your audience and the search engines, and establish your authority and reputation in your niche.
3. Link Building
Link building is the skill of acquiring links from other websites to your website. Links are one of the most important ranking factors for SEO, as they indicate the popularity, relevance, and quality of your website and its content.
Link building involves aspects such as link strategy, link research, link outreach, link acquisition, link management, and link analysis. Link building helps you increase your website’s visibility, traffic, and authority, and improve your SEO performance and rankings.
4. Analytics
Analytics is the skill of measuring and analyzing your SEO data and performance. Analytics involves aspects such as data collection, data processing, data visualization, data interpretation, and data reporting. Analytics helps you understand how your website and its content are performing on the search engines and the users, and how they are contributing to your SEO goals and objectives.
Analytics also helps you identify your SEO strengths and weaknesses, and discover new SEO opportunities and insights.
5. Strategy
Strategy is the skill of planning and executing a successful SEO campaign. Strategy involves aspects such as goal setting, competitor analysis, keyword research, SEO audit, SEO plan, SEO implementation, SEO monitoring, and SEO evaluation.
Strategy helps you define your SEO vision and mission, and align your SEO actions and tactics with your SEO goals and objectives. Strategy also helps you optimize your SEO resources and budget, and maximize your SEO results and outcomes.
Best Practices and Advice for Improving Your SEO Skills
Improving your SEO skills is not a one-time event, but a continuous process. You need to constantly practice and update your SEO skills, and learn from your own and others’ experiences.
Here are some of the best practices and advice for improving your SEO skills:
1. Stay updated with the latest SEO trends and developments
SEO is a fast-changing and evolving field that requires you to stay on top of the latest SEO news, updates, and changes. You need to follow the official announcements and guidelines from the search engines, such as Google and Bing, and monitor the algorithm changes and updates that might affect your SEO performance and rankings.
You also need to follow the industry experts and influencers, and learn from their opinions and insights on the current and future state of SEO.
2. Experiment with different SEO techniques and tools
SEO is a practical and experimental field that requires you to test and try different SEO techniques and tools. You need to experiment with different SEO methods and approaches, and see what works and what doesn’t work for your website and your niche.
You also need to use different SEO tools and software, and see how they can help you improve your SEO efficiency and effectiveness. You can find various SEO tools and software for different SEO tasks and goals, such as keyword research, competitor analysis, link building, content marketing, analytics, and more.
3. Network with other SEO professionals and communities
SEO is a collaborative and social field that requires you to network and interact with other SEO professionals and communities. You need to network with other SEO experts and practitioners, and learn from their skills and experiences. You also need to join and participate in different SEO communities and platforms, such as forums, groups, chats, podcasts, webinars, and events, and share your SEO knowledge and questions.
You can find various SEO communities and platforms for different niches, topics, and levels, and connect with like-minded and supportive SEO peers and mentors.
4. Seek feedback and improvement
SEO is a learning and improving field that requires you to seek feedback and improvement. You need to seek feedback and reviews from your clients, employers, colleagues, and audience, and learn from their praises and criticisms. You also need to seek improvement and growth from yourself, and set realistic and challenging SEO goals and objectives.
You need to measure and evaluate your SEO performance and progress, and identify your SEO achievements and areas of improvement. You also need to celebrate your SEO successes and learn from your SEO failures.
Examples of Advanced SEO Projects and Challenges
To grow your SEO career, you need to challenge yourself and take on advanced SEO projects and challenges. Advanced SEO projects and challenges can help you showcase your SEO skills and competencies, and demonstrate your SEO value and potential.
Some examples of advanced SEO projects and challenges that can help you grow your career:
- SEO Audit: An SEO audit is a comprehensive and systematic analysis of your website and its content, and how they are performing on the search engines and the users. An SEO audit can help you identify and fix any SEO issues or errors that might affect your SEO performance and rankings, and discover new SEO opportunities and insights.
An SEO audit can involve various aspects, such as technical SEO, on-page SEO, off-page SEO, content SEO, and more. An SEO audit can also involve various tools and software, such as Google Analytics, Google Search Console, Ahrefs, Screaming Frog, and more.
- SEO Strategy: An SEO strategy is a detailed and actionable plan that outlines how you will achieve your SEO goals and objectives. An SEO strategy can help you define your SEO vision and mission, and align your SEO actions and tactics with your SEO goals and objectives.
An SEO strategy can involve various aspects, such as goal setting, competitor analysis, keyword research, SEO audit, SEO plan, SEO implementation, SEO monitoring, and SEO evaluation. An SEO strategy can also involve various tools and software, such as Google Keyword Planner, Google Trends, SEMrush, Moz, and more.
- SEO Case Study: An SEO case study is a detailed and data-driven report that showcases your SEO skills and results. An SEO case study can help you demonstrate your SEO knowledge and abilities, and prove your SEO expertise and value.
An SEO case study can involve various aspects, such as SEO problem, SEO solution, SEO process, SEO outcome, and SEO learning. An SEO case study can also involve various tools and software, such as Google Analytics, Google Search Console, Ahrefs, Screaming Frog, and more.
Final Thoughts
In this blog post, we have covered how to start and grow your SEO career, and how to achieve your SEO goals and objectives.
We have explained what SEO is and why it is important for digital marketing, what are the benefits of having an SEO career, how to start an SEO career.
We have also explained how to start an SEO career, what are the basic steps to follow, what are the useful resources and tips for learning SEO, and what are some examples of successful SEO professionals and how they started their careers.
We have also explained how to grow your SEO career, what are the key skills and competencies that are required, what are the best practices and advice for improving your SEO skills, and what are some examples of advanced SEO projects and challenges that can help you grow your career.
We hope that this guide has helped you start and grow your SEO career, and that you have learned something new and useful from it. If you have any questions, comments, or feedback, please feel free to leave them below. We would love to hear from you and help you with your SEO journey.
If you are looking for professional and reliable SEO services, we are here to help you. We are a team of experienced and certified SEO experts who can help you optimize your website and content for the search engines and the users, and boost your SEO performance and rankings.
