How to Become an SEO Expert: The Definitive Guide

​​​​​​Whether you are a sole proprietor trying to build your brand or a seasoned business professional looking to help others build their brand, search engine optimization is a necessary skill you need to thrive in the online marketing industry.

Although you can now learn SEO from a traditional 4-year college course, it is still a relatively new niche and many people would prefer to get online certifications or learn through hands-on experience with their websites. This article explains who an SEO expert is, what they do, and the steps to help you become one.

Who is an SEO expert?

Search engine optimization involves optimizing a website to improve online visibility and increase organic traffic to search engine results pages. Therefore, an SEO expert is a person who has mastered the principles of SEO and applies them to achieve higher search engine rankings.

More than a billion websites seek attention on the search engine results page for every search. However, SEO experts strive to rank their websites on the first page of Google or other search engines so that they can reach a pool of potential customers online. There is no one-size-fits-all path to becoming an SEO expert, but the steps below are good places to start.

1. Take SEO courses

UC Davis SEO Certificate Web Page

Although certification is not a requirement in most SEO jobs, it is important to gain fundamental knowledge of SEO principles through courses. You’ll learn SEO basics, including how search engines work, HTML, and important Google ranking factors to help you use Google’s algorithms.

The above basics will lead you to more technical aspects of SEO, where you will master keywords, content marketing, link building, technical optimization and content optimization. These advanced skills will set you apart from the rest of the social media staff and guarantee you explosive results.

The great thing about taking SEO courses is that you don’t have to invest as much money as you would for a traditional degree. They are widely available through social media platforms and massive open online courses (MOOCs) for little or no cost. Below, we’ve compiled a few courses to help you get started.

2. Practice your SEO skills

Practice makes perfect, indeed. The best way to learn a language is to speak it. Likewise, you can master the principles of SEO by consistently applying your skills. You should employ your skills diligently, even if no recruiter requires your services. You can do this by running your website.

With your website, you can try almost anything. Experiments can revolve around content formats, keyword optimization, content length, and ultimately link building strategies. This independence will allow you the flexibility to learn and implement changes without consequences or control from an employer.

On the other hand, running a website is not an easy task. The first disadvantage is that there is still no profit in the initial stage. Instead, you will spend more money to fund the cost of having your website.

The time commitment and juggling numerous roles can also be challenging, although you can use it Time management tips to manage your workload. However, if you are consistent, you will get great results with your website, and it can become a side hustle or your main business in the long run.

3. Develop a portfolio of projects to showcase your work

Adobe Portfolio web page

Compiling your practiced SEO skills in a portfolio is a great way to track your progress. The projects that make up your portfolio may also include assignments, tasks and other relevant practical experiences that you have completed while taking your courses.

As you develop your portfolio, be sure to reflect your strengths through your completed projects. Package your successes to demonstrate the different SEO strategies you’ve experienced and their results. Plus, highlight data and insights so hiring managers can identify meaningful metrics that point to your success as an SEO expert.

Even if you haven’t worked as a paid SEO expert before, you can still tailor your portfolio to include the SEO challenges you’ve faced, the solutions you’ve used to overcome them, and the results you’ve recorded. Tailoring your portfolio to a particular SEO niche can also signal your professionalism and expertise to the client or hiring manager.

4. Start freelancing or get a job as an in-house SEO expert

Apart from working on your website, you can become a freelancer and get clients. Don’t worry, even if you don’t feel like an expert and might be a little hesitant to test other people’s websites.

You need to understand that your study of SEO courses and application of the other steps above put you in a much better position than the average online business owner. The more consistent you are in pointing out what works and what doesn’t, the better your experience will be.

Alternatively, you can work at an agency or as an in-house SEO. The advantage of this method is that you can learn and grow faster. This speed is because you are surrounded by people who are already competent with SEO. You will catch up with their scrutiny, supervision, corrections and guidance.

The advanced SEO skills and knowledge you develop while working as a freelancer or in-house SEO expert propel you up the corporate ladder. In no time, you’ll be mentoring entry-level SEO specialists or even teaching with the wealth of knowledge you’ve built up.

5. Network effectively for more exposure

People gathered around a wooden table, with laptops and papers, chatting.

Whether you run your own website or as an in-house or freelance SEO expert, you need to have developed an attractive portfolio to showcase your SEO skills. Don’t be afraid to reach out to potential clients or employers. Engaging your professional community by writing articles for other websites will also drive traffic to your page, help your link building efforts, and raise your professional profile on improve your site’s ranking in Google.

Also, you should be up to date with current industry trends. You can achieve this by networking with other online and offline professionals in the advertising, digital marketing and user experience niche.

Start a career as an SEO expert

SEO is a rapidly growing field, putting digital marketing and SEO skills in high demand. As such, experienced SEO professionals are incredibly valuable assets to businesses and brands today. Following the steps outlined in this article will help you on your way to becoming an SEO expert.

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About the Author: Ted Simmons

I follow and report the current news trends on Google news.

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