digiforce

An SEO specialist has the detailed knowledge necessary to devise and conduct search engine optimization campaigns. Among the skills required are:

Website Analysis: Review and analyze sites for areas that need to improved, deleted, revamped, etc.; prepare detailed SEO strategy reports.

Keyword Analysis, Research & Copywriting: In-depth knowledge of keyword research. This includes knowing how to identify the least inexpensive, yet most profitable keywords.

SEO Copywriting: This includes the aforementioned keyword research, as well as SEO writing guidelines, eg where to place keywords in copy so that it gets the most SE traffic, how to write effective headlines and how to write effective call-to-action statements. SEO specialists are also responsible for creating (or overseeing the creation of) original SEO content in addition to implementing off-page SEO content strategies such as link building.

Search Engine Guidelines: Keeps abreast of white hat and black hat tactics so as not to run afoul of search engine guidelines.

Liaison: SEO specialists liaise with many different departments and professionals, inside their own company, with the client company and with independent contractors.

At least as important as actual skills are the attributes an SEO should have. SEO is a detail oriented field, so a specialist must be a detail oriented person. They must also be a self learner to keep up with the quickly changing field, have an analytical mind to be able to make sense of the vast amount of data, and be creative enough to formula plans in response to the data they’ve viewed. An SEO should also have a faculty for language as words are the foundation of all search and SEO.

The SEO manager may not have the detailed knowledge of a specialist, but has the additional duties of coordinating and evaluating specialists or agencies doing specialist work.

Other titles for this function includes: SEO Analyst, SEO Strategist