What Does an SEO Specialist Do All Day Long?
Ever wondered how SEO specialists fill their day?
Hint: it’s a lot more than tossing keywords into web pages and hoping for results.
Here’s a closer look at their daily tasks, using the example of a fictional client, “GlowTech Solutions,” to see how optimisation work takes shape.
What’s the Job of an SEO Specialist?
At its core, an SEO specialist focuses on improving a website’s visibility and ranking on search engine results pages (SERPs).
This involves handling a mix of tasks, such as optimising on-page features and improving technical SEO performance.
For GlowTech Solutions, this includes ensuring the site loads quickly, works well on mobile devices, and is easy for search engines to navigate.
Specialists also tweak details like meta tags, descriptions, and sitemaps to help search engines index the site effectively for SEO.
Day-to-Day Responsibilities
Here's some day to day things an SEO Specialist might do:
- Keyword Research: Identifying search terms GlowTech’s audience uses and aligning content accordingly.
- Building Backlinks: Earning quality links from trusted sources through outreach and collaboration.
- Monitoring Performance: Tracking site rankings, traffic, and user behavior to refine strategies.
SEO professionals also spend a significant chunk of their time—around 16 hours a week—reviewing data and optimising sites.
SEO Skills That Matter
A range of skills is require to be an experienced and result driven SEO:
- Understanding search algorithms and using tools like Google Analytics, SEMrush, and Ahrefs.
- Knowledge of coding languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for technical improvements.
- Teamwork skills for collaborating with writers, designers, and developers.
Starting the Morning: Reviewing Metrics
The day begins with analysing GlowTech’s performance metrics to identify what’s working and what needs improvement.
Using tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console, specialists evaluate site traffic, engagement rates, and conversions.
Based on these insights, they create a task list, prioritizing impactful updates such as refreshing outdated content or assessing competitors’ strategies.
Morning tasks might include:
- Fixing site navigation issues to enhance user experience.
- Identifying areas where GlowTech can outshine competitors.
Mid-Morning: Digging Into Keywords
Keyword research is central to SEO work.
For GlowTech, this means identifying search terms like “best glow sticks for parties” or “durable glow sticks.”
Specialists weigh each term’s potential by assessing factors like search volume, competition, and cost-per-click. They also balance different keyword types:
- Long-tail keywords: Specific terms such as “waterproof glow sticks for camping.”
- Short-tail keywords: Broader phrases like “glow sticks.”
Competitor analysis is another key step.
Specialists study rivals’ keyword strategies and backlink profiles, pinpointing gaps GlowTech can exploit.
his research ensures data-driven planning for better search rankings.
Afternoon: Crafting Content That Ranks
High-quality content plays a major role in SEO. Specialists collaborate with various team members to create material that is engaging and optimised for search engines.
- For copywriters: Provide detailed outlines with targeted keywords.
- For designers: Recommend visuals that align with SEO goals.
- For developers: Ensure technical aspects, like site speed, meet SEO standards.
On-page optimisation includes refining title tags and meta descriptions, headers, and content.
For example, if GlowTech wants to rank for “How do glow sticks work?”, the specialist ensures the page offers:
- A clear, concise answer at the start.
- Supporting visuals and relevant examples.
Late Afternoon: Link Building and Outreach
Building strong backlinks is essential to SEO success. Specialists spend this time securing links from authoritative sources through activities like:
- Outreach: Partnering with blogs, news outlets, and influencers to earn mentions or guest posts.
- Analysing Competitors: Finding opportunities by studying their backlinks.
- Fixing Broken Links: Replacing broken links with updated content from GlowTech to boost traffic and rankings.
Digital PR is another critical element, blending traditional PR with SEO tactics. For GlowTech, this might include:
- Creating campaigns like “The Science of Glow Sticks” to pitch to media outlets.
- Partnering with event organisers to secure sponsorships and links.
Specialists also monitor the health of GlowTech’s backlink profile, removing harmful links and targeting new opportunities for improvement.
Final Word: It's all in a day's work!
An SEO specialist’s work combines technical know-how, creative thinking, and constant adaptation.
By diving deep into keyword research, building relationships, and crafting optimised content, they help businesses like GlowTech stand out in search results.
It’s a demanding role, but the results— to pump visibility, better traffic, improved revenue, and ultimately make it all worthwhile.
