How To Become An SEO Expert- A Definitive Guide
Let’s set the record straight- Search Engine Optimization has become the cornerstone of successful internet marketing. With the growing instances of businesses moving online, for reasons that are many, the conventional methods of marketing are no longer as yielding.
Internet has become the force to be reckoned with and has directed the storyline for all, regardless of whether you are serving as business owners or being served as customers. The first place that we should be heading to is the internet.
That being said, we must also realise that just getting on the internet isn’t all that needs to be done. We need to learn to make proper use of it. How do we do it?
By developing an understanding of search engine and how it works and utilising the information.
Business owners have begun to understand that search engine and its algorithm play a decisive role in how successful their businesses will turn out to be. As someone who has dedicated his life in getting people to understand this, it is a rather sweet realisation for me.
People have begun to look for SEO Experts to take care of their SEO needs. As an aid in that direction, based on the experience of having worked in this field for almost a decade now, I decided to do my part.
Whether you are a business owner looking to build your arsenal in handling SEO or someone who provides search marketing and optimization services to businesses, here is a guide to help you grow your expertise on SEO and how it works and maybe become an SEO Expert some day.
Five Pillars Of Becoming An SEO Expert
We have discussed the need and importance of SEO many times before. Having you on this article automatically indicates that you too are aware of it and are looking forward to sharpening your tools. Without further ado, let’s dive right into it.
#1. Understanding How Search Engine Works
The name Search Engine Optimization speaks for itself. Optimising the online profile of your business as per the standards of the search engine lies at the core of the process.
In order to be able to do so successfully, you first need to understand how search engine works. Over the years, with the growing attention to SEO, the terms such as ‘search results’, ‘organic traffic’, ‘organic ranking’ have been doing rounds. While they point towards crucial elements of the process, there’s more to it.
I have spent a lot of my life interacting with the forces of the search engine and based on my understanding, here is the functioning of the search engine and algorithm in a nutshell:
Search Engines work towards providing an optimal user experience to the customers by promoting the information/products/services that they are looking for and that is useful for them. It does so by taking into account several factors.
With countless sources providing similar information/products/services, search engines sort the best websites/sources by crafting a framework with benchmarks that business owners must adhere to and satisfy in order to qualify for rankings. The various ranking factors elaborate these postulations.
The aim should be to do things in consonance with the postulations and earn the reward of better ranking and not get it by hook or by crook.
#2. Mastering The Factors That Matter
Talking of adhering to the framework and benchmarks of the search engine algorithm brings us to the most crucial set of elements that govern how websites are sorted by search engine to display in search results.
These are what we know as ‘ranking factors’. Having an understanding of these factors not only allows you to figure out how they work and what you need to do so as to qualify but also how long it takes to rank on Google.
While giving a detailed description of each factor would be too much for this article and also since I have talked about them in other posts, I will give you an idea of the most notable ones.
- Link Building- Creating a solid and legit backlink profile for your website helps you to build authority and win the trust of the algorithm. This is where most SEO strategies fall short.
- On-page SEO- Includes practices that optimise your website in tune with the standards of search engine. Examples include working on the UI of website, meta tags etc.
- Keywords- Keywords dictate when your website pops up on search results. They steer your website towards being found by the right customers. Choosing high-value keywords and integrating them is the key.
- Content Quality-What you offer through your website is a representation of who you are and what your business stands for. Quality content provides your business with the right authority and engagement to achieve better rankings.
- Maps Marketing-Can’t make the most of it without having your business show up when on the local maps when people look for what you have to offer. Maps marketing determine the level of success you will have especially in the local arena.
These are not the only factors. A thorough understanding and implementation of all the factors are crucial to gain on all fronts.
#3. Keeping Up With The Dynamics & Trends
Saying that search engine optimization is something static with a fixed pattern would be farthest from the truth. SEO is as dynamic as it comes.
While there’s no denying that there are certain factors that govern the functioning, excluding the dynamic nature of how SEO and its implementation differs from business to business from the discussion would be nothing but undermining the true efficiency of the process.
I am of the proposition that no two businesses are the same. For that reason, no two businesses will have the same SEO needs. It is crucial to understand that in order to successfully optimise for search engine.
Resorting to ‘one-type-fits-all’ strategy is the worst thing that an SEO practitioner can do. Formulation of any strategy should be preceded by a thorough analysis of the business and its nature.
Also there are frequent changes brought about through updates. These changes, in a way, set the trend of the algorithm and therefore it is crucial to stay in touch with them. Some of the resources that can be used are: Google Webmasters Blog, Google Search Blog and Search Engine Land.
#4. Learning To Make Proper Use Of Proper Tools
With the amount of things to look after and tasks to undertake while ensuring efficiency, it is only right that we figure out some way to make things easy or at least simplify them.
That’s what SEO tools are for. As someone who is willing to become an SEO Expert, it is quintessential that you get your hands on these tools to learn to use them properly to aid and assist your endeavours.
To save you time, here are a few of my favourite tools:
Some of these tools are paid. Investing in them is still a good idea when we consider what you can get from them in return, either directly or indirectly.
#5. Understanding SEO In Its True Sense
What separates an ordinary professional from an expert in any field is the approach towards understanding and doing things.
Out of all these pillars that I have talked about, this is the most important. Without having the right outlook and disposition towards Search Engine Optimization, qualifying as a legit SEO Expert would be a distant dream.
SEO is not understanding the ranking factors and trends of search algorithm and doing things just so that you are able to acquire a better ranking for your website in the search results. That is a shallow disposition and won’t get you anywhere.
Websites or businesses should ‘earn’ the better rankings. Since you are not the only one looking to do so, it is going to be very competitive. The key to it then?
To cut through the competition, you need to build your competence and make yourself eligible to serve the customers. Because that’s what it is all about. At the end of the day, the search engine wants to serve its customers diligently. Businesses should look forward to doing the same.
That alone will align you with what the search engine is looking for and the rest of it then becomes a walk in the park.
Concluding Remarks From An SEO Expert
I have been there and done that. Almost a decade is how long I have been doing this for. Through the course of my journey, I have had a few realisations. This article encapsulates fragments of it in a way that will kickstart your journey towards becoming adept when it comes to search engine and its ways.
I hope you get the most out of this. And remember, as much as it is about the technicalities, it is also about the mindset and approach towards undertaking it. Understanding that will clear the path for you and you will know what exactly needs to be done.
I fear that I might stretch it too long. So I would like to end it here. If you would like to share and discuss your views, feel free to reach out to me and maybe we will learn a thing or two from each other.