What does an SEO executive do all day? If you’ve ever wondered about the ins and outs of this role, you’re not alone. SEO might seem like a mystical art to some, but there’s a lot of strategic planning and execution behind it. An SEO executive plays a crucial part in helping businesses get noticed online, driving more traffic and boosting sales.
In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at what a day in the life of an SEO executive involves. From keyword research to performance analysis, we’ll explore the various tasks they handle and the skills they need to succeed. If you’re curious about SEO or considering a career in this field, stick around to learn more.
Kickstarting the Day with a Cup of Coffee and Keyword Research
Mornings for an SEO executive often start with a fresh cup of coffee and a dive into keyword research. This is the bread and butter of SEO, where the magic begins. Keywords are the phrases people type into search engines to find what they need. An SEO exec’s job is to identify the right keywords that align with a business’s goals and audience.
Using tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, or SEMrush, they analyze which keywords have high search volume and low competition. It's not just about finding popular terms; it's about finding the right balance between relevance, search volume, and competition. This research helps inform the content strategy and ensures the website is targeting the right audience.
Here’s a simplified look at what they might do:
- Identify Target Keywords: Look for keywords that align with the brand’s products or services.
- Analyze Search Volume: Check how often these keywords are searched each month.
- Evaluate Competition: Determine how hard it is to rank for these keywords.
- Prioritize Keywords: Select keywords that offer the best potential for driving traffic.
By the time they finish their morning coffee, an SEO executive has usually identified some valuable keywords to focus on, setting the tone for the rest of the day.
Creating Content That Connects
After laying the groundwork with keyword research, the next task is to focus on content creation. SEO executives work closely with content writers to develop engaging articles, blog posts, and web pages that incorporate these keywords naturally. The goal is to produce content that not only attracts search engines but also engages readers.
But it’s not just about stuffing keywords into the content. That’s a rookie mistake. The key is to weave keywords into the content in a way that feels natural and provides value to the reader. Here’s how an SEO executive might approach this:
- Draft Content Briefs: Provide writers with guidelines on how to incorporate keywords effectively.
- Ensure Readability: Make sure the content is easy to read and understand, with clear headings and short paragraphs.
- Include Internal Links: Connect the new content to existing pages on the website to help with navigation and SEO.
- Optimize Meta Tags: Craft compelling meta titles and descriptions that encourage clicks from search results.
Creating content is a collaborative effort, and an SEO executive plays a pivotal role in guiding the strategy to ensure it aligns with the overall SEO goals.
Technical SEO: The Backbone of a Website
While keywords and content are essential, they’re not the only pieces of the SEO puzzle. Technical SEO is another critical area where SEO executives spend a good chunk of their time. This involves optimizing the website’s architecture and backend to ensure search engines can easily crawl and index it.
Technical SEO can be a bit like spring cleaning. It’s not always glamorous, but it’s necessary to keep things running smoothly. Here’s what an SEO executive might tackle:
- Site Speed Optimization: Ensure the website loads quickly to improve user experience and rankings.
- Mobile-Friendliness: Make sure the site is responsive and works well on all devices.
- Fixing Broken Links: Identify and fix any dead links that could harm the website’s credibility.
- XML Sitemaps: Create and submit sitemaps to search engines to help them understand the site’s structure.
Technical SEO might sound daunting, but it’s a fundamental part of keeping a website healthy and visible in search engines.
Building Links and Relationships
Next up on the SEO executive's agenda is link building. This involves acquiring hyperlinks from other websites to your own, which can significantly impact search engine rankings. Think of it as a vote of confidence from other sites that your content is valuable and trustworthy.
Link building requires a mix of strategy and outreach. Here’s how it typically unfolds:
- Identify Link Opportunities: Look for reputable sites in the industry that might be interested in linking to your content.
- Outreach and Networking: Reach out to website owners or bloggers to propose link exchanges or guest posting opportunities.
- Create Shareable Content: Develop high-quality content, like infographics or comprehensive guides, that others will want to link to.
- Monitor Backlinks: Keep track of acquired links and ensure they are active and relevant.
Building relationships with other websites is a long-term commitment, but it’s an essential part of a successful SEO strategy.
Analyzing Performance and Making Adjustments
No SEO strategy is complete without performance analysis. This is where the SEO executive checks how well the efforts are paying off. They dive into analytics tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track metrics such as traffic, click-through rates, and rankings.
Performance analysis is all about data-driven decisions. Here’s what it involves:
- Track Traffic Sources: Understand where visitors are coming from—organic search, social media, or referrals.
- Measure Keyword Rankings: See how the targeted keywords are performing in search results.
- Analyze User Behavior: Check how users interact with the site, including bounce rates and time spent on pages.
- Identify Areas for Improvement: Use data to spot opportunities and refine the SEO strategy.
This step is vital for continuous improvement. By analyzing performance, an SEO executive ensures that the strategy remains effective and aligned with the business goals.
Staying Updated with SEO Trends and Algorithms
SEO is a field that’s always changing. Search engine algorithms are frequently updated, meaning SEO executives must stay on their toes to keep up with the latest trends and changes. This involves reading industry news, attending webinars, and participating in SEO forums to learn from others in the field.
Keeping up with trends isn’t just about staying informed; it’s about adapting strategies to maintain and improve rankings. Here’s how SEO executives keep current:
- Follow SEO Blogs: Read articles from reputable sources like Moz, Search Engine Journal, and HubSpot.
- Join SEO Communities: Participate in discussions on platforms like Reddit, LinkedIn, or specialized SEO forums.
- Attend Webinars and Conferences: Gain insights from industry leaders and network with peers.
- Experiment and Test: Try new strategies and techniques to see what works best for their websites.
By staying updated, SEO executives can anticipate changes and adjust their strategies accordingly, ensuring continued success for their websites.
Collaborating with the Marketing Team
An SEO executive doesn’t work in isolation. They often collaborate with other members of the marketing team to align SEO efforts with broader marketing strategies. This collaboration ensures a cohesive approach to driving traffic and conversions.
Here’s how an SEO executive might work with other marketing team members:
- Coordinate with Content Creators: Ensure content aligns with SEO goals and branding guidelines.
- Work with Social Media Managers: Use social media to promote content and engage with the audience.
- Align with Paid Advertising: Coordinate with PPC campaigns to maximize visibility and conversions.
- Share SEO Insights: Provide data-driven insights to inform marketing strategies.
Collaboration is key to a successful marketing strategy, and an SEO executive plays a vital role in making sure all efforts are aligned and working towards the same goals.
Wrapping Up the Day: Reporting and Reflection
As the day winds down, an SEO executive often spends time reporting on the day’s activities and reflecting on the progress made. This involves preparing reports for stakeholders to keep everyone informed about SEO performance and upcoming plans.
Here’s what this process might look like:
- Prepare Performance Reports: Compile data on traffic, rankings, and other metrics to share with management or clients.
- Reflect on Daily Achievements: Consider what went well and what could be improved.
- Set Goals for Tomorrow: Plan tasks for the next day to keep momentum going.
- Communicate with Stakeholders: Ensure everyone is updated on the latest developments and strategies.
By reflecting on the day’s work and planning for the future, an SEO executive ensures a proactive approach to SEO and continuous improvement.
Final Thoughts
The life of an SEO executive is dynamic and multifaceted. From keyword research to technical optimizations, content creation to performance analysis, every task plays a role in driving a website’s success. It’s a role that requires both creativity and analytical skills, as well as a willingness to adapt to the ever-changing digital environment.
If you’re looking to make your ecommerce brand or SaaS startup stand out, Pattern can help make that happen. We focus on driving real results by turning traffic into paying customers, crafting content that converts, and building a growth strategy that doesn’t leave you waiting 12 months for results. We see SEO through a performance marketing lens, ensuring every dollar delivers real ROI. Let us help your brand get found by more people who are ready to buy.