Are you one of those SEO Specialists who constantly deals with people’s questions regarding the SEO status?
This question keeps aggravating thousands of users who have already proven their calibre in this field. However, after the emergence of AI, this question continues to circulate and baffle everyone, including me. I began working as an SEO specialist in 2019, and since then, I haven’t looked back.
The only to-the-point answer to your query is that SEO is evolving, not dead. Now, you may need to shift gears while doing SEO, but remember that it will always stay relevant. I know the confusion hasn’t ended here, so let’s delve deeper into how SEO remains relevant and what is the truth about SEO in 2026.
What does SEO Specialists do?
An SEO specialist, also known as a search engine optimization specialist, ensures that you stay one step ahead of your competitors by bringing organic traffic to your website. To strengthen your digital presence, he handles all the tasks for you, including keyword research, image optimization, link building, and more.
With over five years of experience, I have established myself as a well-known name in the field. Hence, if you are already functioning as an SEO person, congratulations- you are on the right course. It is similar to digital marketing, which mandates rapid access to probable customers.
Let’s talk in detail about the SEO types and how you can master this skill as a beginner.
Types of SEO
The four primary SEO types that everyone should be familiar with as a beginner include:
1- On-page SEO
- It is the foremost action towards constructing a substantial presence on all search engines. While doing it, your preliminary focus should be on using the right types of keywords that are not overly forceful.
- Regarding keywords, the primary one is the focus keyword that will be optimized by search engines, allowing your web page to appear higher in the results. All the other keywords you use are related phrases to your focus keyword that occur only once in the article.
- However, the number of times your focus keyword appears depends on the length of your article. In a 1000-word article, mention it at least 9 or 10 times. The mistake I made and later regretted.
- Do not forget to add your focus keyword in the meta description. It indicates that the data being searched for for is mentioned in the article. Try to write it on point. Also, your title must contain your focus keyphrase.
- The well-structured article is the king. An article written without headings and points will never get recognized. Assure to give fitting headings, including H1, H2, and H3, so the reader can instantly jump to their required point.
- I have seen people dismissing Internal linking. Don’t do that. Your article must possess 3 to 4 internal links.
- Last but not least, image optimization can lead to a significant increase in readers/clients. Do it precisely.
2- Off-Page SEO
Off-page SEO is entirely the opposite of on-page SEO because all the activities are done outside your website. Here the focus shifts to link building. Master this skill, and you will be unstoppable. When I started doing backlinking, I preferred quality over quantity.
Do not obtain links solely for the sake of link-building. Discover the most reputable sites and acquire high-quality links. You must construct a strong image so that your site receives well-deserved recognition.
Guest post and list yourself in various directories. Your social media game should be top-notch. Be active on every possible platform and get clients from there.
3- Technical SEO
It includes all the indexing and crawling. If any web page of your site is not indexed or crawled, it will not be shown on the search engine. You present an XML Sitemap to the search console and design a robot.txt file.
It calls for your coding knowledge. You must be familiar with the basics of CSS and HTML to operate it. To utilize Google Analytics, which displays all traffic. Your site speed optimization and all other errors, including broken links, also fall into this category.
Most importantly, you should never overlook the need to make your site mobile-friendly. According to research, the maximum number of visitors you obtain comes from mobile. Mind it.
4- Local SEO
If you run a restaurant or store or offer a product, local SEO can be a real game changer. It enhances the visibility of your brand in local searches, including maps and ‘near me.’
For instance, whenever people search for the ‘best jewellery shop near me,’ your brand will emerge at the top if you have done the local SEO. Hence, if your site is service-based, never skip this step.
Benefits of becoming SEO Specialists
Let’s put light on a few benefits that uplifted me to become an SEO specialist.
1- It is a widely Valued Skill
To run a business successfully, all it takes is the best digital marketing skills. The more effective the marketing, the greater the profit you will obtain. The same is the case for SEO, as it is closely linked to digital marketing.
In today’s world, it is critical to get substantial digital recognition. Every business owner wants to lead the way. Hence, SEO has become a necessity of the hour. Polish your skills because you will never be out of work.
2- Diverse Career Options
Here comes my favourite trait. This skill offers a wide range of career choices, making it an engaging option. You can work as a freelance SEO specialist or be a part of any Search engine optimization company or agency if you are toiling as a junior. Once you gain experience, you can initiate your firm.
3- Substantial Earning
How much you can earn depends on your job description. For instance, working as a freelancer or being associated with any well-known agency charges you differently. However, in the US, SEO Specialists salary range from $ 40,000 to $100,000, depending on an experience.
4- Time and Location Freedom
There is nothing better than not being time- or region-bound. I work as a content creator and SEO specialist, and I’m fortunate to be able to work from anywhere without worrying about my work schedule. The flexible working hours make this job worthwhile.
5- Professional Growth
Being curious and enthusiastic about learning something new every day, I found this element worth mentioning. Do you know that after every few months, SEO presents new algorithms, so you have to keep learning to stay in the race? Different keyword-searching tools emerge, making it more intriguing.
6- It Complements other Skills
This element highlights why SEO is one of the most valued skills worldwide. SEO and content writing go hand in hand because it enables writers to write SEO-optimized and well-structured content. Additionally, SEO and digital marketing share a similar approach, focusing on driving traffic through social media campaigns and email marketing. Hold on, it doesn’t end here because it also pairs well with web development.
How to become SEO Specialists
I know many of you are eager to learn how to initiate your SEO career now that you are aware of all the benefits it offers. Below, I will share my personal experience and how I entered this field and gradually became professional. Let’s get started.
1- Cover the Basics
- Whenever we talk about SEO basics, keyword stuffing comes first. If you learn to do it rightfully, you can level up your skill.
- You should be familiar with all the free and paid keyword tools and how to utilize them effectively. As a beginner, I recommend using free tools.
- Now comes the on-page SEO part, which involves using keywords appropriately in your content, as said earlier.
- On-page SEO is generally more straightforward than off-page SEO. Hence, I suggest that you hone your on-page skills and then shift your focus to off-page and technical SEO, as I did.
- Your clients are your most significant weapon, so give them the best user experience. Your site should load within 2 seconds. Otherwise, you’ll lose maximum clients. Moreover, do not forget about mobile-friendly features.
- Many people choose SEO courses to gain knowledge, but I wouldn’t recommend them because you can locate thousands of videos on the internet that will assist you.
2- Practice Make you Perfect.
The more you practice, the better you will get with time. Once you lock the first step, give free services to 4 or 5 clients. It will create lasting confidence, and it might help you get more clients in the future.
3- Build Strong Portfolio
Here is the factual reason why you should work on some projects. Your portfolio demonstrates your capabilities, and it instills confidence in clients, making them more likely to hire you. It will generate more opportunities in the future. Hence, having a strong portfolio is vital.
4- Stay Updated
As I mentioned earlier, SEO is constantly evolving, so it’s crucial to continue educating yourself. Every six months, Google releases new algorithms, so be sure to stay in touch. All SEO Specialists keep an eye on Google’s algorithms for new updates.
Common SEO mistakes to avoid
I have seen people making significant mistakes, not acknowledging how they can influence their lifelong hard work. Let’s put some light on such errors so that you can sidestep them in the future.
- Avoid plagiarism. Your duplicate content may generate traffic for a time, but you will regret it later.
- Your focus keyword should be added in the meta description and headings. Don’t overlook this point.
- Not making your website mobile-friendly will cause you to lose your clients rapidly. Mind it. Remember that most clients come from mobile devices.
- If your website is taking a bit longer to open than usual, you have already lost 50% of clients.
- Apart from duplicate content, you should also not compromise the quality. A well-structured content is the king.
- Quality over quantity. A link generated from a notable and reputable site is worth more than 1000 links generated from the devalued site.
- Failing to address broken links will also harm you in the future.
Free Keyword Tools
- Google Keyword Planner
- Google Trends
- Answer the Public
- Keyword Everywhere
- Ahref Webmaster Tool
- Google Search Console
- KW Finder
- Semrush Keyword Magic Tool (Free trail for 7 days)
Final Words
I hope you now understand why SEO is important for business and digital marketing and why SEO Specialists are in high demand. With over 5 years of experience, I can assure you that you will continuously get work opportunities once you dominate this skill.
Regarding salary, you can expect to earn approximately £22,000, which is likely to grow over time. However, once you become a pro, you will be unstoppable.
You can find a remote job from anywhere, whether you are in Australia or Auckland. Construct your website, write down the content, and start practicing. Good luck.
