There are options to take courses and learn from YouTube, along with college courses that are designed to help people learn marketing with search engines. But the best way in my opinion to actually grow and become a great search engine optimizer is by actually working for a large search engine optimization company or agency.
These SEO companies are going to help fast-track you in the right direction, especially the companies who have been working with search engines since the 90s! These guys have been dedicated to knowing inside information from search engines and using that information to grow their own websites (along with client websites) for years. Most of these people who started in the 90s are true webmasters, they did more work than we can imagine, remember dial-up?
You’re going to learn through these SEO companies, such as learning about how to write SEO content that actually ranks on the search engines. These companies are going to show you how to manage Google Search Console, Google Analytics, Google Trends, Google Keyword Planner, Google My Business, and the list goes on! You are basically working with Google when you are a search engine optimizer, you are a third-party basically.
Many SEO companies will provide you with a “SEO checklist” and this will allow you to learn how to give a SEO report to a client and how to fix SEO errors. Most of these companies have been doing the research and refining their SEO checklist as time goes on, algorithms can always change and SEO companies will usually update their SEO checklists for clients. You will get a lot of experience from editing and managing many websites along with creating and sharing content.
This is the way to get better at SEO, you need a support system or co-workers who are going to show you what works and what doesn’t work. They are going to show you neat tricks like using the site: and sites: option on Google to show how many links your website ranks for and how many backlinks your website might have. You are going to learn more from a company that is doing SEO every day for many people instead of other routes like YouTube or school (both not bad ideas though).
Interns don’t usually get a salary but the experience helps greatly.
Sometimes you might have to start as an intern but other times you can take a small position like doing video SEO for companies, you can learn how to create good file names that search engines can understand, create closed captionings, and do whatever makes it easier for people to find that video like submitting the video to websites and video platforms such as YouTube and Dailymotion. You’ll learn how to create great meta-titles and descriptions, how to create thumbnails, etc.
I would start with asking for a small position in a SEO company like researching content to be written, editing content, and seeing if there are spelling/grammar errors, doing video editing, etc. Then you can become a jack of trades by learning the different components of SEO, once you know this information then you can continue working for the company in a greater capacity or move on to your own website projects, pay it forward.
Let’s break it down to what are the best ways to become a search engine optimizer:
Learn the basics: Start by learning the basics of SEO. This includes understanding how search engines work, what keywords are, and how to optimize content for search engines.
Familiarize yourself with SEO tools: There are many SEO tools available that can help you optimize a website. Some popular ones include SEMrush, Moz, Ahrefs, and Google Analytics. Familiarize yourself with these tools and learn how to use them effectively.
Practice on your own website: Start practicing SEO on your own website. Create content and optimize it for search engines. Experiment with different techniques and measure your results to see what works best.
Stay up-to-date with industry news: The world of SEO is constantly evolving, so it’s important to stay up-to-date with industry news and changes in search engine algorithms. Follow SEO blogs and websites, attend conferences and webinars, and network with other SEO professionals to stay current.
Get certified: There are many SEO certification programs available that can help you demonstrate your expertise and knowledge. Some popular certifications include the Google Analytics Individual Qualification (IQ), the SEMrush SEO Toolkit Course, and the HubSpot Content Marketing Certification.
Gain experience: Look for opportunities to gain experience in SEO. This could include working on projects for friends or family members, freelancing, or interning with a company that specializes in SEO.
Build a portfolio: As you gain experience, build a portfolio of your work. This could include case studies, reports, or samples of optimized content. A strong portfolio can help you stand out when applying for jobs or working with clients.
Network: Finally, network with other SEO professionals. Attend industry events and conferences, join online communities and forums, and reach out to others in the industry. Networking can help you stay up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies and can also lead to job opportunities or new clients.
My name is Greg and I have 20 years of experience in creating and managing websites. I have 6+ million views collectively on social media platforms like Quora, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Contact me to get your website optimized for search engines.
