Do you want to be an SEO expert? Then take a look into these aspects you need to know…
Interviewer: So, you have applied for the position of an SEO expert, haven’t you?
Applicant: Yes, sir. That is right.
Interviewer: How long have you been in SEO?
Applicant: About two years.
Interviewer: Tell me, what sort of SEO stuffs you are familiar with?
Applicant: Well sir, I know all about it!
Interviewer: Well then! Tell me the procedure of running an aimed keyword research.
Applicant: Ah, I do not know what to say about that.
Interviewer: Alright, now tell me, if I want to NO INDEX any page, then what command should I right on the ‘Robot.txt’ file?
Applicant: Uuuuh…. Actually, I am not familiar with ‘Robot.txt’.
Interviewer: Okay then, tell me, what tool would you use if you want to remove a page from the search result section?
Applicant: ……(Silent)
Interviewer: What is your formula for building backlinks to search actual high PR websites?
Applicant: Actually, I only build links with the help of a bunch of lists.
Interviewer: What is Local SEO? How to increase domain authority? What is a sitemap? What is tier(?) backlink? What is word stuffing?
Applicant: [Completely silent]
That was an interview with an applicant who wanted to be an SEO specialist. Who has been into SEO for the past couple of years? Yet, his definition of SEO is limited to forum posting, blog commenting, social bookmarking, and so forth. Nonetheless, that individual is claiming to be an SEO specialist! Does he really have a clear conception of search engine optimization? The answer will be no.
The reason is; in order to be an SEO specialist you need to know a lot. Not only do you need to know about the key features but also some advanced features. You also need to have personal experience. Knowing how to create backlinks would help you survive as a freelancer but it won’t be enough to be an expert or specialist.
You need to be familiar with some stuff in order to become a successful search engine optimizer. Only off-page optimization won’t make you an SEO guru straightaway. You need to be good at both on and off-page optimization, keyword research, and content. In this post, I would like to discuss what it takes to be an SEO expert, and what objectives you need to fulfill to get a good job in a high position in SEO. So let’s begin.
A clear conception of the web
To be honest, if you do not have a clear conception of the web, you will never be an SEO expert. Because you have to execute all your SEO works on the website. That is why, you need to acquire ample knowledge of how to operate a website, how to customize it, how it works, how the server works, domain, hosting, IP, C-panel, and CMS. At any given time, you may have to work on the website structure. Thus, you need to know how to come up with a fast and effective solution to any particular problem on your website, how to optimize SEO and whatnot.
It’s not that you have to learn web development to get a good idea of the web. You need to know just the basics. So, you can learn this stuff by looking into Google.
Well aware of HTML is a must
HTML is an inseparable part of a website. It is the seed that eventually grows into a website. On top of that, when a search engine indexes a website, it only reads the website’s HTML codes. Hence, if you want to be a professional search engine optimizer, you have to be well aware of HTML. Especially, you have to be familiar with the initial tags such as: <a>, alt, meta, title, <h1>, <strong>, <img>.
It’s not that you need to know all the tags of HTML. So, you don’t have to worry. You can search on Google to know more about these tags and how to use them pretty quickly.
Knowing Keyword Research is a must
Selecting the wrong keyword is enough to ruin an SEO project. On the contrary, selecting an appropriate keyword could lead you to success. Many experts opinionated that selecting the appropriate keyword means doing half of the SEO work.
In order to select an appropriate and profitable keyword, you need to know what keyword research is. You also need to know how to look for {aimed visitors/clients?}, how to search low competition keywords, and how to run competitor analysis.
In addition, you need to know about keyword trends. When any keyword is being searched for, which country searches the most, CPC rate around the world? Not using the appropriate keywords will not only decrease your expected number of visitors but also you won’t be able to make it to the search list. That is why, as an SEO specialist you need to acquire ample knowledge about keyword research.
Must be an efficient content writer
There is a saying, “Content is the king of SEO.” This means SEO cannot be imagined without content. If you claim yourself as an SEO expert, then you need to know how to write content. You must have the craftsmanship to write content on any given topic on your sleeves.
Learning to write content is neither easy nor tough. You must have the ability to correct/legit English sentences. Also, you must have English reading skills. Above all, you must have the ability to make people understand you through your writing. It is a matter of persistence. It does not matter if it’s wrong or right, keep writing, and keep trying until you feel that you are not totally expressing yourself. Observe your surroundings and adjust your writing skills accordingly. And someday, you’ll feel that you’re doing it right!
Got to know the correct on-page Optimization
On-page optimization is a crucial part of search engine optimization. In a word, SEO is sightless/blind without it. It is better to call those so-called “SEO experts”s blind who do not know what On-page Optimization is.
So, If you do not want to fall into that category, then you need to learn all the pros and cons of On-page Optimization. It consists of multiple classes. Optimization within(?) website is the largest part/sector among those. You need to know about the following stuff:
- How to use the meta tag
- How to optimize titles
- How to optimize the description
- Keyword density and keyword replacement
- Use of sitemap.xml, robots.txt, webmaster tools & analytics
- Website structure & Layout
- URL Optimization
- Image Optimization
- Use of Heading Tag (h1, h2, h3)
- Process of internal linking
So, if you want to make a name for yourself as an SEO guru, then you need to be a master of this craft called “On-page Optimization”. Otherwise, you will never be able to be a skilled freelancer or grab and finalize big projects.
An Expert at Off-page Optimization Too
As a professional, you will also need to know Off-page Optimization. It is the next in line to On-page Optimization. It basically refers to website promotion.
Again, there is a lot more in-store than just backlink building & Off-page Optimization. Since backlink building without planning does not work at all, an expert would always prefer planning first. To do so, he/she tallies/calculates the number, type, and source of backlinks in his mind.
To be an expert in Off-page Optimization, you have to work on the followings:
- Ability to build links in every platform
- Anchor Text Optimization
- Proper technique to search for backlink websites
- Link wheel, Tier Backlink
- Page Rank, Page/Domain Authority
- Link Management
- Citation(?) (for Local SEO)
- Content Marketing & Promotion
- The conception of Google Penguin Updates
There are more factors, apart from the above-mentioned ones. But you must not forget these if you want to get to the top.
Just as we cannot think of a good, search-engine-friendly site without On-page Optimization; we cannot think of making it into the rankings without off-page optimization. Hence, you have to be good at both.
Skilled in Analysis, Tracking, Budget Planning
Being a professional SEO optimizer does not only mean working in and out. Thorough analysis is also a big part of the job. Therefore, you need to develop your skills in website analysis, tracking, and planning.
What type of visitors are approaching, what keywords are leading them to the website, which keywords are being ranked, why the other keywords aren’t getting ranked, finding out problems and solving those; all of these are being taken care of by the SEO expert. He/She also fix budgets, determines the scale of return on investment (ROI), executes plans according to it, and tracks links. If you are not good at these, you should confess that you are not a complete expert yet.
Claiming to be an expert is also dangerous. It is not possible to become an expert within a few months of work. But if you approach the way I am suggesting, you will soon establish yourself as an SEO expert.
The demand for an SEO specialist is very promising. Not only overseas but even the demand in Bangladesh is also increasing day by day. Now many institutes are looking for search engine optimizers. However, the bad news is, most of the applicants fail. Because their skill sets are incomplete.
Not only in local works, but even freelancing is suffering the same fate. You’re continuously losing buyers in the marketplaces because of the failure to be fully committed to the client’s demand. Just a bit more hard work can make you a successful search engine optimizer. So, do not waste your precious time by bidding without knowing what to do; learn first. You cannot think of a bright career without thoroughly knowing SEO. Since this sector has a very promising future, I hope no one would let pass this opportunity like a fool.
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