What Is an SEO Specialist? Responsibilities & Qualifications

Curious what an SEO specialist does and how they can help take your business to new heights?

In this post, we’ll unpack:

• What is an SEO specialist?
• What does an SEO specialist do?
• Common responsibilities of an SEO specialist
• Where SEO specialists work
• Why partner with an SEO specialist
• How to choose an SEO specialist
• SEO specialist qualifications
• And more!

Keep reading to journey into the world of an SEO specialist!

What is an SEO specialist?

An SEO specialist is a person who is responsible for managing the SEO performance of websites, usually for their own company or for a client via their SEO company. They are a digital marketing professional with a wide range of digital marketing and analytical skills.

What does an SEO specialist do?

SEO specialists focus on optimizing websites to rank higher in online search results on search engines. These professionals, well-versed in the world of marketing, will have experience with multiple aspects of SEO, including on-page, off-page, SEO audit, and technical SEO.

Common responsibilities of an SEO specialist

SEO specialists are responsible for managing the SEO performance of a site. This usually includes multiple types of SEO, like on-page, off-page, technical SEO services, and local SEO services. Some experts may specialize in one particular type while others will have experience more.

Let’s dive into the different areas of SEO a specialist would be responsible for in more detail!

On-page SEO

On-page SEO focuses on website optimization, like enhancing your content and improving your internal linking strategy. Within the realm of on-page SEO, specialists may concentrate in areas like content marketing services.

Off-page SEO

Off-page SEO refers to strategies that take place outside your website, like earning backlinks from reputable sites. SEO specialists in this area will focus on boosting your presence across the web.

Technical SEO

Technical SEO ensures the backend of your site functions at its best, so your site loads and functions at its prime. Often, technical SEO requires development skills.

Commonly, SEO experts work in multiple areas of SEO, combining experience in all areas to promote a comprehensive strategy and results.

Where do SEO experts work?

Depending on their interests, experience, and goals, SEO specialists may offer their services:

• At an agency or SEO company
• In-house for a company
• As a freelance SEO provider

Where an SEO specialist works will likely impact their pricing model and how much you can expect to pay for SEO services.

Salaries for SEO specialists working for an agency or in-house at some of the best SEO companies start at $40-$50k. Freelance SEO providers have more freedom to set pricing for their work, and their earnings will depend on the number and type of contracts they secure.

Why partner with an SEO specialist?

SEO specialists partner with businesses in all industries to help them achieve higher online rankings, leads, and revenue.

If you want to show up at the top of online results when people search keywords or phrases related to your business, you’ll want to work with an SEO provider.

While it may be tempting to take on SEO projects yourself, remember that SEO requires technical expertise and experience to yield the best results. As noted above, some SEO strategies require knowledge of development practices that many businesses can’t implement on their own.

Partnering with a reputable SEO specialist, or team of SEO specialists at an agency, will set you up for long-term success.

How to choose an SEO specialist

Here are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind when vetting SEO providers.

1. Check out their portfolio of results

Reputable SEO specialists will have a track record of proven results. Scope out their site for a portfolio or results page, showcasing their work.

2. Review their pricing

Next, make sure their pricing fits your goals and budget. Keep in mind, you’ll often get what you pay for with SEO, so watch out for “cheap” SEO services.

3. Look for client testimonials

You’ll also want to look for testimonials from past or current clients. This will give you an inside look at what it’s like working with a particular SEO specialist and how they manage client expectations.

4. Be wary of “guaranteed” or “quick” results

SEO takes time, and your SEO provider should clearly communicate that expectation. If an SEO specialist promises “quick” or “guaranteed” results, it should raise some red flags.

SEO specialist qualifications

If you’re interested in the SEO field, here are some common qualifications to consider.

Many SEO specialists obtain a bachelor’s degree in areas like:

• Marketing
• Public relations
• IT or computer science
• Data or statistics

But you don’t necessarily need a background in one of those areas to become an SEO specialist. Many SEO specialists receive on-the-job training, especially when working in an agency setting.

In addition, you can hone your skills with online SEO courses and certifications, directly from sources like Google. Becoming well-versed in numerous aspects of SEO will help you stand out and allow you to drive the best results for clients, while building your portfolio.

Partner with proven SEO specialists

Hopefully this post gave you some good background info on what SEO experts do and how they can help grow your company and help you debate in-house vs. agency SEO.

Ready to dial up your SEO with a team of proven specialists?

Our team has experience with every facet of SEO, and we know what it takes to help clients succeed online.

Connect with us to learn more and get started with your custom SEO project!