High demand for SEO professionals. Here’s why

The concept of Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) has existed for more than a decade, but it is one that has driven a huge influx of jobs

Today, the world revolves around information that is the driving force behind any economic value chain. The thirst for information has led to the evolution of “Search Engines” and are the most widely used tools currently. Gradually marketers have also started using this platform for advertising their products. Keeping this in mind, search engines seem to be one of the most dynamic marketing online promotion channels, as they are a prime source for getting more and more online customers.

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), is the most important technique in a Search Engine Marketing (SEM) process and, as part of an internet marketing strategy, can be utilized primarily for increasing a website’s ranking and lead to web domination. SEO can consider how search algorithms work and what exactly online customers search for, in terms of user-centered design and online customer value and cost-effectiveness. The concept of SEO has existed for more than a decade, but it is one that has driven a huge influx of jobs. Today, there are over one billion websites and each of these must jostle for attention in the search engine result pages of Google, Yahoo, Bing, and other lesser-known search tools. 

Due to the importance of digital marketing strategy in recent times, organisations are investing in stronger presence and position on search engine platforms. Customers prefer to search information through search engine platforms than going directly to the company’s websites. Thus, developing a successful SEO strategy can help attract new customers.

An SEO professional is a person who specializes in learning and mastering the algorithms behind search engine results so that they can help their clients and companies appear in searches. SEO professionals are expected to have skills in writing, data analytics, marketing, link building, web content, HTML, competitor analysis, and keyword research. Expertise in using SEO tools such as Raven, Moz, and others is also essential.

Listed below are popular roles and career paths for SEO professionals looking to take the next step in their career:

1. Digital Marketer –Digital marketing is an easy way to utilize your existing SEO experience while broadening your range of skills. Digital marketers are responsible for online marketing including SEO, SEM, Pay Per Click (PPC), and social media. This implies that digital marketers must be able to create and implement marketing strategies, utilize SEO, work with the content managers, understand and utilize social media as part of long-term strategies, use analytics and data management, and work with advertising platforms to drive paid traffic. Know-how in web marketing, communications, and strategic marketing can help you excel in your career.
2. SEO Manager – Search engine optimization often requires a team of analysts, data managers, SEO specialists, content strategists, technology experts, and much more. The larger an organisation, the larger their SEO team will be, and the more they will benefit from an SEO manager. Managers must understand search engine optimization and potentially search engine marketing..
3. Marketing Analyst – Data analytics is a large part of search optimization and as an SEO specialist you should be able to track the performance of existing initiatives, identify opportunities for new ones, and generate forecasts and reports based on data.
4. Search Engine Marketer – SEO and SEM often overlap, but in practice they are very different. SEM is a broader term and incorporates SEO. SEM requires you to learn new skills including Pay Per Click (PPC) marketing, advertising, and customer relationship management. While many SEM professionals specialize exclusively in paid search, you can branch into SEM and SEO to handle both aspects. Proficiency in Google AdWords, Bing AdWords, and various web analytics is a must for this role.
5. Content Marketer – Content marketing is a specific niche within the field of digital marketing. Content marketers help businesses connect with their audience. There are several mediums through which they make these connections such as blog posts, social media posts, emails, graphics, reports, and videos. Your primary goal as a content marketer is to work as a part of the company’s overall digital marketing strategy by identifying and engaging with the target audience in a way that is meaningful to them.