Wondering which marketing strategy yields the best returns for businesses? SEO still reigns supreme, and HubSpot’s State of Marketing Report 2024 confirms it — SEO outperforms the other channels with the most significant ROI.

Yet marketing teams are still unclear on exactly how to drive traffic.

So what to do? As a content creator or strategist on a marketing team, the answer is SEO training.

Investing in SEO training on your own or with your team can give you the exact insights you need to transform your website content strategy to drive more traffic to your site.

In this article, find out how SEO training (specifically, ours) can help content creators and strategists by:

Getting to Know SEO Content Fundamentals

Does a falling tree in the woods make a sound if there’s nobody around to hear it? This question equally applies to content on your website. You could write the greatest article in history, but does it even matter if it doesn’t rank and no one reads it? Is it helpful, relevant and worth the effort?

SEO training covers the fundamentals of how to optimize content. These fundamentals turn a great article that no one will see into a great article that has a chance to compete in the search results.

Consider that for every given search, there are millions of search results. And all that matters is the first 10—maybe 20—results (depending on how far people are willing to scroll, and we know from historical data on SERP positions that it ain’t that far).

Without knowing how to ideate, create and optimize content in a way that competes in the search engines, you’re essentially wasting resources.

SEO training helps students learn the basics of search-engine-optimized content from start to finish, including:

• Finding the appropriate keywords. Keywords are words or phrases your target audience searches for when looking for what you offer in search engines. Selecting the right keywords ensures your content stays relevant and is picked by search engines when they decide which websites will rank for specific queries.
• How to do keyword research. Doing keyword research well requires more than just a list of words generated from a keyword tool. It takes discernment and strategy. Using the right tools is important, yes, but also understanding nuances like the intent behind keywords, choosing just the right keywords (traffic volume vs. competition) and choosing long-tail keywords is key.
• Optimizing content with keywords. Making sure your target keywords show up on the webpage in a way that actually reinforces the topic so that search engines understand that the content you wrote is an authoritative source takes some work. You can get pretty technical here, going so far as how often and where the keywords show up, as well as what related words should be on the page.
• Tweaking content for readability. SEO training can help you understand readability scores and how those might factor into how Google evaluates a webpage against others like it.
• Optimizing other elements of the content. SEO content doesn’t begin and end with keywords. Creating and optimizing content for meta tags, using header tags correctly and using alt attributes all contribute to a well-rounded, search-optimized webpage. And these types of tasks can fall squarely on the shoulders of content creators.

Understanding How to Enhance Content Quality

You most likely know what it takes to make great content, but do you know what Google thinks about it? SEO training gives you a complete understanding of Google’s content quality guidelines.

In most cases, if you are creating excellent content, you have nothing to worry about. But it is still critical to understand the rules.

Once you know what search engines like Google consider quality content, you can begin to see the connection between content and the algorithms that filter out poor-quality content in favor of high-quality content.

Just some of the things you can explore in more detail during SEO training include:

• How to create people-first content. Content should be made for people, not search engines, says Google. SEO training gives you the knowledge to prioritize the needs of your audience over search engine algorithms.
• E-E-A-T. Experience, expertise, authoritativeness and trust are key signals in Google’s quality guidelines. Being able to break down these concepts into your content strategy and individual content pieces helps you better compete in the search results.
• AI-generated content. AI is quickly becoming a go-to tool for marketers, and understanding how to use it effectively without the risk of losing rankings or suffering search engine penalties is critical. Marketers who get this piece wrong risk more than just lost rankings but also lost business revenue. For more, see my article on Search Engine Land about how to survive the search results with AI content.
• Other Google-created quality concepts. This includes “your money or your life” content, “needs met” ratings and how the reputation of content creators factors into quality content as outlined in Google’s Search Quality Rater Guidelines.

SEO training helps you enhance the quality of your content by delving deeper into the framework of what quality means to search engines.

By the way, it’s worth mentioning that we are bringing back my In-Person SEO Training course in 2025. Our next course is January 28–30 (see the website for the rest of this year’s dates).

Now is the perfect time to join me and learn my expert insights that will help you improve your content — and SEO — strategy. Seating is limited, so reserve yours before they fill up.

Register for the In-Person SEO Training

Keeping Up with Trends

Keeping up with search engines and SEO is a full-time job for content creators, strategists and marketers, and they already have enough on their plates!

SEO training is great because it informs you about the newest search engine algorithm changes and industry updates, and how to adapt to them.

Google has long championed quality content and continues to evolve its algorithms to suppress low-grade material from search results. Content creators and strategists have to stay on top of the changes if they want to stay competitive.

For instance, Google core algorithm updates, which can happen several times a year, can impact websites in many ways, with content often being a factor (see my article on Search Engine Land for more on surviving these updates).

And when Google rolled out new spam policies related to AI content, many marketers needed to quickly shift their content strategies.

Of course, nothing beats reading up-to-date news about SEO so you can adjust strategies as soon as needed.

However, given the current climate, SEO training takes a deeper dive into how to best handle SEO content and allows you to ask questions and clarify strategies with SEO experts.

In addition, incorporating new SEO techniques is another way training can make a significant difference. As technology advances, so do SEO strategies.

A good course will cover emerging practices like voice search optimization, AI-driven content creation and mobile-friendly content, which are increasingly important.

When content creators and strategists keep up with the latest changes in SEO, they can pivot quickly and stay ahead of the game.

Final Thoughts

SEO training covers essential areas of content that are competitive in the search results, including optimization basics, enhancing content quality, mastering SEO tools and staying updated with the latest trends.

Each area contributes to a more robust, data-driven content strategy that aligns with user expectations and search engine algorithms.
With a better understanding of SEO, you can make your content creation efforts pay off in competitive search results.

That’s why SEO training is not just an educational investment; it’s a strategic move that empowers marketers, content creators and strategists to drive significant improvements in their content strategy to attract more traffic and customers.

Join us for our next In-Person SEO Training With Bruce Clay. This training course will give you the knowledge and skills to build a content strategy that drives more visibility, leads, sales, customers and revenue. Reserve your seat today before they fill up!

Reserve your In-Person SEO Training seat

FAQ: How can I utilize SEO training to develop and execute strategies that improve my website’s ranking?

Search engine optimization training provides essential skills and knowledge needed for increasing website visibility in a highly competitive digital landscape. SEO training arms professionals with the knowledge of keywords optimization, link building strategies, content production techniques and technical SEO, all key elements to creating successful SEO campaigns.

SEO training teaches you how to adapt to changes in ranking factors as they evolve. It covers how to create high-quality, relevant content that ranks and appeals to your audience.

SEO training also covers advanced techniques such as schema markup and mobile optimization that are key for optimizing website performance and accessibility.

Implementing these strategies can be difficult. A lot of website owners struggle to stay abreast of SEO trends and algorithm updates, leading them to experience stagnation or decline of site performance. Continuing SEO education is necessary in order to remain current in search results and keep your website competitive in them.

SEO training is a great way for anyone looking to expand their SEO capabilities. It not only builds your expertise but also empowers you to build an SEO strategy that generates more traffic and visibility.

Step-by-Step Procedure

1. Explore SEO Training Options: When considering various SEO training programs, ensure they cover both foundational and advanced subjects.
2. Understand Search Engine Algorithms: Learn about how search engines rank pages and the factors which contribute to them being listed at the top.
3. Master Keyword Research: Conduct keyword research using tools such as Ahrefs, SEMRush or PreWriter.ai to discover high-value keywords relevant to your target audience.
4. Analyze Your Competitors: Research what your competitors are doing. Find any gaps and areas for potential improvement.
5. Optimize Website Architecture: Build your site with a well-structured architecture that is logical for users and easy to crawl.
6. Engaging Content Creation: Develop keyword-rich articles that meet user needs with engaging articles that capture reader attention and draw them in.
7. Enhance On-Page SEO: Increase search engine visibility through optimizing title tags, meta descriptions and internal hyperlink strategies.
8. Focus on User Intent: Align content with what users are seeking out for an increase in relevancy and satisfaction for them.
9. Create Quality Backlinks: Attract quality links through guest blogging, partnerships and content promotion to establish yourself as an authority figure online.
10. Utilize SEO Tools: Track performance with tools like Google Analytics, Moz and SEMrush in order to gain actionable insights.
11. Combat Technical SEO Issues: Fix broken links, and address duplicate content and slow page speeds to increase rankings.
12. Optimize for Mobile Users: Build your site so that it is easy to navigate for mobile users.
13. Implement Schema Markup: Use structured data to improve how search results display on your site.
14. Optimize Local SEO: Increase local searches by claiming and updating your Google My Business listing.
15. Voice Search Optimization: Develop strategies that specifically target natural-language queries used in voice searches.
16. Track SERP Performance: Evaluate keyword ranking performance to gauge how successfully your strategies have taken hold in search results pages (SERPs).
17. Conduct Regular SEO Audits of Your Site: Conduct routine SEO audits on your site in order to detect and address performance bottlenecks and performance bottlenecks that hinder its overall efficiency.
18. Keep Up With Industry Trends: Stay informed by industry developments by following reliable SEO blogs and attending relevant webinars. Keep Your Knowledge Current: To stay abreast with industry developments, subscribe to top SEO blogs and attend relevant webinars regularly.
19. Experiment With Innovative Tactics: Explore innovative tactics like interactive content in order to outshout competitors.
20. Collaboration Within Your Team: Share insights and align strategies across marketing, content production and technical teams.
21. Measuring Return On Investment (ROI): In order to demonstrate their investments’ return on effort, companies need to assess how SEO efforts impact traffic, leads, and conversions.
22. Continuously Refine Strategies: Leverage insights gained through analytics to refine campaigns and achieve improved results.
23. Celebrate Milestones: To maintain momentum for SEO efforts and spur team members forward onward, celebrate milestones to celebrate progress along your SEO journey and recognize progress made along your SEO path. Doing this can serve to reinforce and sustain efforts moving forward.

The post How SEO Training Can Transform Your Content Strategy appeared first on Bruce Clay, Inc..

SEO training can get anyone up to speed on SEO, from the foundations to the latest tactics. But choosing the right course can be hard. If you’re exploring SEO training options but aren’t sure where to start, this guide will help you.

1. SEO Training Is for Everyone Across Departments
   • Business Owners or C-Suite
   • Marketing Managers
   • IT Professionals
2. SEO Training Can Future Proof Your SEO Program and Career
   • Beginners
   • Intermediate Professionals
   • Advanced Practitioners
3. SEO Training Can Cover Broad or Niche Topics
4. There Are Different Formats to Choose From
5. Do Your Research Before Signing Up
   • Expertise
   • Relevance
   • Format
   • Content
   • Reviews

• In-Person SEO Training With Bruce Clay
• Final Thoughts
• FAQ: How can SEO training help improve my business’s online visibility, traffic and overall performance?

1. SEO Training Is for Everyone Across Departments

It’s obvious that a marketing department would benefit from SEO training, but a website represents much more than just marketing.

As the hub of a brand online, a website supports business goals in many ways. Ultimately. different teams across a company have a stake in how the website performs for the business and its audience.

So, who should consider SEO training? Let’s look closer at a few different roles.

Business Owners or C-Suite

Small business owners or corporate officers — whether they know it or not — should have an interest in search engine optimization.

First and foremost, SEO drives traffic to a website, often more than any other channel. For some industries, that figure is upwards of 50% of traffic to a site, according to BrightEdge research.

C-suite roles vary from CEO and CMO to CFO, COO and beyond. Yet they all stand to benefit from knowing how SEO can impact their goals.

It’s not just the bottom line — although BrightEdge data shows that B2B and tech companies generate 2X more revenue from organic search than other channels — the benefits can be more nuanced than that.

For instance, CFOs will need to understand how SEO can impact the business so they can make investment decisions. CTOs want to be sure websites stay innovative and perform well.

Marketing Managers

On the more tactical side of the business are the marketing managers, who focus on implementing C-Suite or business owner strategies.

Because marketing managers typically oversee bringing in the right people to implement the strategies, and are also responsible for tracking KPIs, they need to understand how SEO works.

Having a better understanding of the inner workings of SEO means they will bring on the right people and focus on the right KPIs.

They will also be able to have more intelligent conversations about SEO with their direct reports as well as their teams. And they will better understand how to leverage SEO to support their marketing initiatives.

All in all, this leads to a more informed, strategic approach to marketing campaigns.

IT Professionals

Another role that’s important in moving SEO initiatives forward (but may not be so obvious) is the IT department.

Sometimes, technical SEO initiatives need the IT team to be on board, for example, if you need to update aspects of site speed and performance, security or make updates to the content management system.

via GIPHY

When IT knows that the updates or technical fixes you are requesting have weight, you may be able to move them forward faster.

When all your teams are synced on the importance of SEO, they can work together, not in silos, to impact your business goals.

This is not just theory, check out my article on what happened when one major auto brand made SEO a company-wide initiative in CMO Directive: Think SEO or Work Somewhere Else.

2. SEO Training Can Future Proof Your SEO Program and Career

Gaining the skills you need to succeed in SEO not only helps you advance your career or business, but it also helps you create SEO programs that stand the test of time.

No matter what stage of the game you’re in, SEO training can positively impact your career, from beginner to advanced:

Beginners

SEO training can give a solid foundation of SEO knowledge by covering essential concepts. This helps newcomers understand the basics so they can begin to practice SEO.

Intermediate Professionals

For those with prior experience, SEO training can help these professionals focus more on advanced techniques so they can handle more complex SEO challenges or approaches.

At this stage in their career, some SEOs may begin to niche their skillset, focusing more heavily on one aspect of SEO or, on the other hand, broadening their skillset.

According to SEOjobs.com, companies are seeking senior-level SEO talent more and more. So SEO training is an easy way to uplevel skills.

Advanced Practitioners

Experienced SEOs never stop learning. My team at Bruce Clay Inc. builds continuing education into their work time by staying up to date on changes — on a daily basis.

Anecdotally, I’ve experienced SEOs returning to my SEO training classes annually as part of their ongoing professional development.

This is because SEO training can give professionals the opportunity to work through difficult SEO challenges during training by networking with peers and teachers and discovering new techniques they may not have thought of.

When you invest in your SEO education, you don’t become stagnant. And SEO demands dynamic professionals who keep up with the latest trends and best practices.

Related: 7 Ways SEO Training Helps You Succeed in SEO.

3. SEO Training Can Cover Broad or Niche Topics

Some SEO professionals are generalists, and some are known for their specific types of SEO.

Over the years, these professionals have moved towards the type of SEO they know best and love to do, and they continue to hone their strengths in those areas.

But it doesn’t come without learning and implementation. This is where SEO training can be helpful. Luckily, there are always webinars, training courses, and conferences about SEO, and many of them dive deep into a specific topic.

But that doesn’t mean you should disregard the foundational concepts, either.

To find your unique edge, start by building a strong foundation across all essential SEO disciplines, then refine and focus on one or two areas that align with your expertise and past successes.

Regardless of your specialization, there are core competencies every SEO should master to drive impactful results for clients.

These include:

• Conducting SEO website audits for pinpointing site issues.
• Performing keyword research, analysis and content mapping to align content with user intent.
• Earning high-quality links to boost domain authority.
• Mastering technical SEO to ensure site health and performance.
• Applying website architecture best practices for a seamless user experience.
• Understanding algorithms and SERPs to stay ahead of ranking shifts.
• Conducting competitive analysis to spot opportunities.
• Leveraging web analytics and SEO tools for data-driven decision-making.
• Developing optimized content that meets user needs and captures search intent.

For more, check out my article on Search Engine Land, How to Become Exceptional at SEO.

4. There Are Different Formats to Choose From

Conferences, webinars, local meetups, SEO publications, blogs, social media, forums, training courses, SEO books — there’s no shortage of resources when it comes to learning SEO.

Some people prefer in-person SEO training, while others want to learn online. Some like to learn at their own pace, while others want real-time training.

In fact, did you know that different generations prefer different types of learning?

The good news is that there are many different formats to choose from, and picking the right one helps increase your chances of success.

For example, we recently broke down the differences between in-person vs. online SEO training, looking at factors such as:

1. The learning environment: In-person offers a more structured, immersive setting, and online learning provides more flexibility.
2. Networking opportunities: In-person training allows for direct networking, while some online courses can offer virtual networking options.
3. Accessibility and cost: Online options generally reduce travel costs and are more accessible for learners with tight schedules.
4. Hands-on interaction: In-person classes can offer hands-on help in real time, but online training can also offer engagement through live support.
5. Self-paced vs. real-time learning: Online formats are often self-paced for independent learning, whereas in-person classes follow a set schedule.

Choosing the best SEO training format makes it more enjoyable and in line with your needs, so be sure to explore what’s out there before you sign up.

Do you learn better by attending a class in person? Bruce is hosting his next In-Person SEO Training course January 28–30, 2025. Sign up before Saturday, December 28 to get $400 off registration.

Register Now

5. Do Your Research Before Signing Up

With so many options out there, you really need to take a methodical approach to picking an SEO training course.

Consider setting up a spreadsheet and coming up with some parameters for the things that are important to you.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

Expertise

Make sure the instructors are teaching sound SEO practices. Usually, that means they will have been practicing SEO for many years and have made a name for themselves.

You can look for things like whether they are published in reputable SEO sources, have managed successful campaigns or hold industry-recognized certifications.

Relevance

SEO covers a lot of ground, so look for a course that hones in on your specific needs.

If your goals include local SEO, e-commerce optimization or technical SEO, check if the curriculum covers these areas in depth.

The best holistic SEO training courses are structured around both core SEO foundations and more tailored modules.

Format

Are you more of an active learner? Do you prefer to study independently?

As I mentioned earlier, choosing an effective SEO training format depends upon your own individual preferences and will have an effect on your success.

If you’re not sure, ask to preview the format before committing.

Content

SEO evolves quickly, so learning outdated techniques could set you back.

The best courses offer regular updates to the content, and some even provide graduates with access to refreshed content.

SEO membership sites like ours offer ongoing content access for the lifetime of the membership, keeping you informed of industry changes and current SEO strategies to stay ahead of your competitors.

Reviews

Finally, one effective way of assessing whether a course is worth your while is to examine its reviews. Positive testimonials and student success stories often signal courses that deliver.

In-Person SEO Training With Bruce Clay

By the way, I’m happy to mention that we are once again hosting my popular In-Person SEO Training course in 2025:

• January 28–30
• April 15–17
• August 12–14
• October 7–9

If you need to master SEO and start ranking now, this course is for you.

Over three days, I give you an in-depth exploration of all things SEO, from fundamentals and best practices to advanced techniques and strategies. When finished with the course, you’ll immediately be able to use what you learned to optimize website and SEO performance.

Signing up early or bringing several members can qualify you for discounts. I hope you’ll join me!

Register Here

Final Thoughts

With the right SEO training, you can take your skills — and your company’s or clients’ online performance to the next level.

Whether you’re a beginner building foundational knowledge, an intermediate professional seeking new techniques or an advanced practitioner looking to stay on the cutting edge, SEO training offers tons of benefits.

When you carefully choose the best training format and content for your needs, you’re setting yourself up to make a real impact.

Need quality SEO training? We’ve got you covered. Whether you prefer online SEO learning or an in-person classroom training environment, there’s no better way to learn how to do SEO than by training with Bruce Clay.

FAQ: How can SEO training help improve my business’s online visibility, traffic and overall performance?

SEO training is a vital part of today’s marketing strategies. Why? It arms you and your business with the skills to get noticed online, bring in more website visitors and drive business growth.

With SEO training, you dive into various topics. Think keyword research, on-page optimization, link building, using analytics tools and much more. Training covers all the essentials to help you build a strong online presence.

Picture this: You learn how to master keyword research, and suddenly you know exactly what your customers want. So, you tweak your content just right. Suddenly, your site ranks higher, and your audience thinks, “This is exactly what I was looking for!” That’s just a sliver of what SEO training can do for you.

Another key lesson in SEO training is on-page optimization, which is all about making each web page shine in the search results. You learn how to optimize on-page elements like meta tags, headings and site structure. A website that’s easy to navigate and understand isn’t just for search engines; it keeps visitors happy, making them stay on your site longer.

Don’t overlook link building, which is important in boosting your site’s credibility. SEO training shows you how to get those quality backlinks from trusted sources. You’ll learn how to create content so good that others can’t help but link to it. That’s the magic of link building.

Analytics is your secret weapon. Tools like Google Analytics help you track how your site is doing. SEO training teaches you to analyze data and use it to make intelligent moves that keep you at the top of the game. SEO goes beyond numbers — it involves understanding your audience behavior and adapting strategies accordingly.

SEO training clears up common headaches, like low traffic or being invisible online. These challenges are overcome when you apply what you learn in training. You learn what search engines care about and align your goals with those standards.

Step-by-Step Procedure

1. Dive into a detailed SEO audit to spot strengths and weaknesses.
2. Craft a keyword strategy using both short-tail and long-tail keywords.
3. Fine-tune your site’s on-page elements (meta tags, URLs, etc.)
4. Develop high-quality content that speaks to your audience.
5. Develop an effective link-building plan in order to secure valuable backlinks.
6. Use SEO tools to monitor performance and track metrics.
7. Embrace technical SEO to improve speed and mobile response.
8. Keep abreast of SEO trends and algorithm updates.
9. Build a community around your brand to drive engagement.
10. Work with other businesses and influencers to widen your reach.
11. Try different SEO techniques and see what works best.
12. Review and tweak your strategies based on data.
13. Keep investing in SEO training for your team.
14. Make SEO a part of your company culture.
15. Set clear goals and track them over time.
16. Leverage user-generated content to boost your reputation.
17. Explore new tech and tools to sharpen your SEO process.
18. Strengthen your brand presence with consistent messaging.
19. Use local SEO to attract nearby customers.
20. Watch competitors and carve out your unique path.
21. Stick to ethical SEO practices to build trust.
22. Adjust to customer feedback to meet their needs.
23. Plan a content calendar for regular publication.
24. Calculate and demonstrate the return on investment (ROI) of your SEO initiatives to show their worth.

SEO training can be transformative for businesses requiring increased online visibility and improved SEO performance. SEO education gives companies and professionals alike an in-depth knowledge of search. For businesses of any size, training provides invaluable skills necessary for successfully competing online.

The post 5 Things To Know Before Choosing an SEO Training Course appeared first on Bruce Clay, Inc..

Are you considering formal SEO training? You’ve got loads of options to sift through. But one of the very first decisions to make is whether to choose in-person SEO classes or online SEO training. Which is the better choice for you?

Understanding the differences between the two will help you answer that question. Read on as I discuss these nuances using our SEO classes and virtual training as examples.

• Main Differences Between SEO Classes and Online SEO Training
  • The Travel
  • The Material
  • The Pace
  • The Teacher Access
  • The Community
• How To Evaluate SEO Classes
  • Get to Know the Creators
  • Assess the Topics
  • Understand How the Information is Presented
  • Find Out How Fresh the Material Is
  • Read Reviews
• Which Should I Choose—In-Person SEO Classes or Online SEO Training?
• FAQ: How can I decide between in-person SEO training and online SEO training courses?

Main Differences Between SEO Classes and Online SEO Training

Let’s examine some of the differences between learning SEO in a classroom setting versus online.

The Travel

To travel or not to travel? That’s our question of the day. When it comes to travel requirements, SEO classes and virtual training sit on opposite sides of the spectrum.

SEO classes: If you’re going to get to an in-person SEO class, you’ve got to travel — in our case, that means traveling to our SEO classroom in Southern California. This, of course, involves things like airfare, accommodations and meals.

These logistics costs drive up your overall training investment. But there’s a huge upside — you get to indulge in a unique learning environment, which many find refreshing and motivating.

Online SEO training: Choosing online SEO training means you can study from literally anywhere, whether at home or at your local coffee shop. There’s no need to arrange for travel or book a hotel, either. All of this saves you substantial time and money.

You can also weave your training sessions into your existing schedule without the disruptions that come with travel.

The Material

Learning in a classroom setting typically allows for more in-depth, intensive lectures. Online training courses cover the information a little differently.

SEO classes: Our in-person SEO class, for example, goes for three full days, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., for an exhaustive exploration of pertinent SEO concepts.

Classes with an extended format allow students and instructors to deeply examine advanced topics through various training modes, including hands-on lessons and practical applications. We also provide a binder of print materials for added convenience.

And by the way — I am once again hosting my In-Person SEO Training class January 28–30, 2025. Over three days, I’ll teach you how to master SEO, outrank your competitors and drive business growth. Discounts are available, so reserve your seat now before they fill up.

Online SEO training: We condensed our classroom-based course into a virtual SEO training course. It’s packed with over 40 videos — approximately 15 hours of total training material — and covers all the most influential SEO subjects.

Though shorter than an in-person course, an online SEO training course still provides an in-depth introduction to SEO fundamentals.

Additionally, no course materials will need to be purchased separately.

The Pace

How would a multi-day SEO event make you feel? Invigorated or overwhelmed? Depending on your learning style and preference, choosing between in-person SEO classes and virtual training could be a cinch.

SEO classes: In-person classes happen in a very intensive learning environment. Over the course of three days in our SEO training, we cover a staggering volume of information.

For some learners, this can be demanding, but it is incredibly immersive. For an interactive and focused learning experience, in-person classes offer many advantages. If you ever need any assistance along the way, direct access will always be available through your instructor (me).

Online SEO training: A virtual training course structure is convenient and flexible, enabling you to train at your own pace. Log in and study anytime that best fits into your schedule, making managing training alongside other responsibilities a snap!

This self-paced approach ensures you can focus more on difficult topics while quickly covering more familiar material.

The Teacher Access

Few benefits are as substantial as having direct access to an expert SEO instructor throughout the learning process. Whether you want that access immediately or on a delayed schedule will help you decide which SEO training to put money into.

SEO classes: With in-person classes, you get several opportunities a day to ask questions and discuss specific SEO issues directly with the instructor.

This one-on-one style of interaction allows for immediate clarification and deeper discussions, cultivating a more personalized learning experience. Impromptu conversations during breaks and after sessions also add to the benefits.

Online SEO training: Some online training courses fall short because they don’t allow students to interact with their trainer. Our SEO training comes with monthly webinar Q&A sessions where you can interact in real time with me.

These scheduled sessions serve as a great opportunity to get answers to your most burning questions and voice any struggles you’ve dealt with over the past month. With regular support and guidance, you’re poised to thrive post-training.

The Community

We humans are social by nature. Many people do well in an open atmosphere, where they learn with like-minded peers in person. And others prefer to leave their social interactions online.

SEO classes: In-person SEO classes deliver rich, off-the-cuff conversation and plenty of relationship-building opportunities. The classroom setting encourages students to freely exchange ideas.

Networking often happens naturally as a byproduct of in-person learning, helping you build valuable professional connections.

Online SEO training: Each virtual training course is different, but our SEO membership training site features a vibrant virtual community forum. Here, students can talk openly about their search engine optimization struggles, offer helpful insights and raise each other’s spirits.

Virtual interactions evoke a collaborative training atmosphere, one that makes it easy to get familiar with people from diverse backgrounds.

Check out these related articles:

• 5 Things To Know Before Choosing an SEO Training Course
• 7 Ways SEO Training Helps You Succeed in SEO
• What Is SEO Training?

How To Evaluate SEO Classes

Maybe you’ve already decided that training is worth investing in, but can’t seem to choose a course. The sheer volume of options can be paralyzing – where do you go to get the best SEO education?

Whether you’ve settled on in-person SEO classes or virtual training, you need clear evaluation criteria to help you select your ideal course.

Remember: There are no academic standards for SEO training. As such, instructors’ knowledge and expertise, as well as the quality and depth of the training, vary widely.

Do the following when evaluating your SEO training options:

Get to Know the Creators

Absolutely anyone can create and sell a course. Taking a chance on subpar training courses is never good, as SEO has a direct impact on a business’s success and revenue.

To avoid issues, take the time to get to know the course creators better. Courses developed by bonafide industry veterans and reputable institutions tend to deliver dependable and valuable insights.

Keep a look out for trainers with verified SEO credentials, ideally those who have published reputable articles, spoken at industry-specific conferences or have a significant following.

The higher the course creators’ credibility, the better; courses from high-caliber creators will showcase their practical experiences in the industry as well as proven best practices.

Assess the Topics

Is your SEO class material comprehensive? Any worthwhile SEO training course reviews quite a few topics, spanning from fundamental SEO tenets to more sophisticated strategies. A few of them include keyword research, on-page and off-page optimization, technical SEO, content creation and the newest algorithm and technology updates.

In addition to that, it’s critical to figure out whether the training course showcases realistic examples and case studies that help you apply theoretical concepts.

The course should also touch on the newest developments in the SEO world as well as rudimentary ideas. Developing a strong understanding of these topics equips you to tackle real-world SEO issues head-on.

Understand How the Information is Presented

Based on your distinctive learning style, your decision may be swayed by how the instructor formats and presents the course materials.

Virtual courses featuring video tutorials, collaborative sessions, assessments and downloadable assets are valuable. They make sessions more captivating and productive no matter where you access them from.

By contrast, in-person SEO classes require you to commit to a predetermined schedule along with your classmates. The camaraderie often spawns motivation and energizes everyone involved.

Find Out How Fresh the Material Is

There are best practices, and then there’s Google. In other words, things change quickly when it comes to search results.

Best practices in SEO refer more to the right approach. However, strategies need to stay fresh because SEO is a moving target.

Training courses that are regularly updated to reflect the latest changes in SEO can help you stay ahead of industry shifts. This ensures you implement effective and compliant strategies with current search engine guidelines.

Read Reviews

Reviews and testimonials from past students provide insights into the effectiveness and quality of an SEO training course.

No training course will get 100% positive feedback, but more good than bad shows that most people value the training.

Look for reviews on independent platforms or ask for testimonials from the course provider. High ratings and strong endorsements from respected industry professionals can further validate the course’s credibility.

Check out these related articles:

• Who Should Take a Search Engine Optimization Training Course?
• 5 Questions To Evaluate Any SEO Training Course (my article on Search Engine Land)

Which Should I Choose—In-Person SEO Classes or Online SEO  Training?

All in all, deciding between in-person SEO classes and virtual training hinges on your learning desires, schedule and available budget.

In-person classes elevate the immersive aspect of learning with direct interactions and intensive material for learners who flourish in more structured, in-person environments.

Virtual training is all about flexibility. It is geared toward self-paced learning and the ease of studying in any location. People with tight schedules or limited travel options will find this mode of training most beneficial.

With our SEO training options, you get the best of both worlds! Students who take our in-person SEO class get a complimentary three-month membership to our virtual SEO training site.

Bottom line: Consider your wants and needs to determine which training format would best support your SEO learning journey.

Read this related article: It’s Time to Rethink Your SEO Training

Registration is open for my upcoming in-person training in January 2025. Space is limited — get your seat now before they fill up!

Register Now for the In-Person Training

FAQ: How can I decide between in-person SEO training and online SEO training courses?

Online SEO training course or in-person SEO training? Deciding between your training options can be a struggle. And there’s no wonder why, considering how much course information and training styles vary from course to course.

Both of these training pathways have distinct upsides, so the best tactic is to choose the option that aligns most with your desires, goals and lifestyle.

With in-person SEO training, you’re guaranteed face-to-face, real-time exchanges with fellow peers and trainers. In such a setting, it’s easy to get instantaneous feedback from your instructor. Plus, there’ll even be networking opportunities to take advantage of.

Online SEO courses are more flexible than an in-person setting. You don’t have to conform to someone else’s schedule to learn — you’re in charge of your own education process! Kick your feet up and study SEO wherever and whenever you want.

Above all, it’s important to think about your learning style before deciding on an SEO class format. If things like face-to-face interactions and structured environments float your boat, in-person training is likely to be a good fit for you. In this dynamic environment, you can ask clarifying questions and get the answers you need right away.

For anyone balancing a busy schedule with competing responsibilities, the most practical option is virtual training. These online courses combine engaging discussion forums, handy digital resources and pre-recorded lectures to offer the same quality of education with a more flexible structure.

Aside from your personal preferences, consider your professional goals. If you’re hoping to actively grow your industry connections to advance in your profession, in-person training will likely be your speed.

Conversely, if you’re primarily concerned with gaining technical skills in SEO, online courses deliver a ton of resources you can revisit to build a solid foundation.

And then there’s cost. Travel, accommodation, material and other costs associated with in-person training can very quickly add up. This makes online classes the more cost-effective solution, as they don’t typically require you to pay for these extras. Keep this in mind if you have a tight budget.

Here’s the bottom line: If you’re having difficulty selecting an effective training method, choose one that meets both your individual needs and circumstances best.

Evaluate your current SEO skill set, how deeply the course goes into SEO subjects, and any effects the training format may have on your preferences and professional objectives. It also helps to look at reviews from past trainees for additional insight.

Step-by-Step Procedure:

1. Pinpoint your learning style: Determine how you learn best, whether it be through self-paced learning or through interactive, structured environments.
2. Identify your goals as a professional: Decide whether acquiring skills or networking with like-minded individuals is important to you.
3. Assess schedule fluidity: Note the amount of time you can regularly devote to your SEO learning.
4. Consider your budget: Calculate the total cost of in-person training, from the cost of the course to accommodations and more. Determine whether it’s feasible for your budget situation.
5. Evaluate the content of your course options: Scan the syllabi for each course you’re considering. The goal is to ensure your chosen course examines the specific subjects you need help with.
6. Examine instructor expertise: Look into the background and reputation of instructors.
7. Read reviews and testimonials: Consult feedback from previous students to gauge course effectiveness.
8. Explore technological requirements: For online courses, ensure you have the necessary tech setup.
9. Assess personal motivation: Determine if you can stay motivated without face-to-face accountability.
10. Evaluate networking opportunities: Identify which format offers better professional networking chances for you.
11. Consider access to resources: Ensure the course provides sufficient resources and support materials.
12. Clarify learning objectives: Write down what you hope to achieve through the training.
13. Compare flexibility: Determine if you need the flexibility that online courses offer or the structure of in-person training.
14. Check engagement level: Evaluate if the course provides interactive elements to maintain your interest.
15. Understand assessments: Look into how your progress will be assessed, as well as how feedback will be provided.
16. Investigate support services: Determine the availability of tutor support or peer forums.
17. Plan long term: Consider how each type of training fits into your long-term career plans.
18. Trial sessions: If possible, attend trial classes or introductory sessions.
19. List requirements: Note all requisites and ensure you can meet them.
20. Align with learning pace: Ensure the course pace aligns with your learning speed.
21. Clear questions: Note down any doubts or concerns you have about each course.
22. Decision time: Weigh all factors and make an informed choice.
23. Register or enroll: Once decided, proceed with registration or enrollment.

Determining the ideal form of SEO training depends significantly on individual preferences, lifestyle and professional goals. Whether you opt for in-person or online courses, this decision will shape your learning journey and influence your success in the SEO field.

The post In-Person SEO Classes vs. Online SEO Training: The Differences appeared first on Bruce Clay, Inc..

Search engine optimization (SEO) is a powerful digital marketing strategy that drives business growth and success. When it’s done right, your brand becomes highly visible online and puts you right in your audience’s path during their digital journey.

Considering that 93% (nine out of 10) of all shopping journeys start on the web, few things are more vital.

That’s precisely why search engine proficiency is so essential for online success. SEO training lends you the know-how and skills to thrive in the dynamic search optimization landscape — regardless of what you’re faced with.

Continue on to learn seven ways SEO training can help you win in search:

1. Gives You Foundational SEO Knowledge
2. Gets Your Whole Team on the Same Page
3. Keeps You Updated on Changes
4. Helps You Create Comprehensive SEO Strategies
5. Facilitates Meaningful SEO Conversations
6. Uplevels Your Skills When You Need It
7. Builds Confidence in Advanced SEO Techniques

• Final Thoughts
• FAQ: How can SEO training help me improve my website’s visibility and ranking on search engines?

1. Gives You Foundational SEO Knowledge

The right SEO training provides a foundational (and correct) understanding of how SEO works.

It can cover everything from content and keywords to on-page optimization and link building to off-page SEO, user experience factors and even technical SEO.

For example, in my online SEO training course, we cover topics such as:

• The importance of SEO
• Basic SEO concepts
• Understanding the major search engines
• The anatomy of a website
• Content for SEO
• Mobile SEO
• Local search
• Linking strategies
• Siloing concepts
• Technical SEO
• SEO best practices
• Search now and in the future

But why take SEO training when you can read articles, join webinars and buy SEO books?

The answer is that the best SEO training course organizes the chaos, filters out incorrect information and educates you in record time.

SEO training should gradually present concepts in an organized way, giving you a solid foundation before jumping into advanced concepts. When you finish your SEO training, you should feel confident applying what you’ve learned.

2. Gets Your Whole Team on the Same Page

SEO should have a seat at the table in any strategic business meeting, let alone in a marketing department.

Because different teams within a company have a stake in a single website — each with competing initiatives — SEO training helps provide a baseline understanding of SEO so that strategic decisions can be made together.

For instance, when we sign a new client, I encourage all team members — even those in less obvious roles — to attend my SEO training. And they do, with great results.

Here’s an example of who should take SEO training and why:

• Business owners/c-suite executives: SEO training empowers business leaders to make informed strategic decisions about a site and understand the value of SEO for business growth. Training also helps them better allocate resources and set realistic expectations.
• Marketing managers: Marketing managers benefit from understanding SEO, as it enables them to align search optimization with their overall marketing strategies. It also helps them optimize campaigns and effectively manage SEO teams or external agencies.
• Content strategists and creators: These professionals learn to create SEO-friendly content, integrate keywords naturally and understand how content impacts search engine rankings.
• IT professionals: IT staff gain insights into technical SEO, which aids in improving site structure, load speeds and implementing best practices for website performance.
• Graphic designers and web developers: People who build or alter websites greatly benefit from understanding how their work impacts a site’s success in search results and user experience through the lens of SEO.

When team members across departments have the same baseline SEO education, the chances of being more successful with your SEO program increase.

3. Keeps You Updated on Changes

Due to ever-changing algorithms, SEO is a moving target.

Take Google’s core updates, for example – they occur many times annually. These dynamic changes can greatly affect search rankings, specifically when it comes to content relevance and quality.

Then there are tech innovations that totally alter how we think about and do our work (AI, I’m looking at you).

SEO training ensures you stay updated with algorithm changes and industry trends. This is vital for adapting your strategies promptly and effectively.

SEO training courses can provide insight into the following:

• Algorithm updates: Understanding the latest changes in search algorithms and how they impact SEO practices.
• Best practices: Learning updated best practices for SEO and refining your techniques to align with current standards.
• New technologies: Embracing new technologies like AI in SEO and understanding how they impact search.
• Case studies and examples: Reviewing real-world examples and case studies of how recent updates have impacted other websites.
• Community: Engaging with professionals who are learning SEO with you so you can share information about your experiences and learn from one another.

Staying informed through continuous learning and training allows you to proactively adjust your SEO strategies, future-proof your SEO program and ensure long-term success in the search results.

And by the way — I am once again hosting the In-Person SEO Training class January 28–30, 2025. Attendees walk away with the latest SEO best practices to set up their website and business for long-term growth.

I’ll be sharing my expert insights that drive organic traffic, online visibility, higher search ranking and more revenue. Seats are filling up, so get yours soon.

4. Helps You Create Comprehensive SEO Strategies

SEO checklists are great, but they should serve as companions to your SEO strategy, not as standalone strategies.

Understanding the rationale behind SEO tactics is critical. SEO training can help with critical thinking, enabling you to grasp why certain practices work and how they contribute to overall goals.

Having a well-rounded SEO strategy means seeing the big picture and how all aspects of a site and SEO—technical, on-page and off-page factors—are interconnected.

SEO training can help you get a comprehensive view of SEO to create a cohesive strategy while you explore strategic initiatives such as:

• How search works
• Keyword research
• Content strategy
• Competitor analysis
• User experience
• Performance monitoring

This deeper understanding allows you to make informed decisions about your SEO program and cultivates your problem-solving abilities.

5. Facilitates Meaningful SEO Conversations

Having a firm grasp on the current state of SEO empowers you to have worthwhile exchanges with your team, clients and stakeholders.

SEO training provides a conceptual understanding, which is necessary to discuss SEO topics plainly and with conviction. It also helps you better understand any recommendations that are being presented to you.

A better understanding of SEO also enables you to advocate for its importance within your organization or to clients.

Here’s why this is crucial:

• To make a strong case for investment. Present compelling arguments for why SEO is essential for business success. Demonstrate the potential ROI, outline the benefits of improved search visibility and show how SEO can drive organic traffic and conversions.
• To make evidence-based justifications. Training helps you use data and case studies to support your claims, making it easier to justify SEO investments. This might include showing how SEO improvements have led to increased traffic and revenue for other companies.
• To develop trust and credibility. Stakeholders better support SEO initiatives when you appear well-informed and passionate about their advantages.

In a nutshell: SEO training brings you up to speed on the inner workings of SEO and can assist you in making confident decisions about it.

6. Uplevels Your Skills When You Need It

Are you considering making a career change, pursuing a promotion or going out on your own? Educating yourself through SEO training gives you the push you need to bite the bullet and do it.

Search engine optimization training can boost your skills at numerous career stages:

• Beginners: SEO training provides foundational knowledge, covering essential SEO concepts. It helps new entrants understand the basics to start their SEO journey.
• Intermediate professionals: For those who’ve already got some experience under their belts, training introduces more nuanced techniques to clarify and expand existing knowledge and tackle more complicated SEO challenges.
• Advanced practitioners: Seasoned SEOs can gain valuable benefits from advanced training that covers innovative tactics to help them stay one step ahead of the competition. In fact, many professionals attend my SEO training annually as part of their continuing education.

Upleveling SEO skills opens up more opportunities. According to SEOjobs.com, senior-level SEO talent is in demand:

“…mid-level SEO roles are being impacted the most year over year. Q1 of 2024 vs. Q1 of 2023 shows an emphasis on hiring senior-level talent (+3%) and intern/entry-level talent (+1%), while mid-level is down (-6%).”

Here’s how SEO training can help:

• Skill diversification: Because SEO is multi-faceted, SEO training covers a broad range of topics, including technical SEO, content strategy, user experience and more. Continuous education enables you to broaden your skill set, increasing your value as a professional asset.
• Problem-solving: Through SEO training, you’ll receive guidance on the most current tools and techniques. You can utilize such advice to solve difficult SEO problems more efficiently.
• Professional growth: Engaging in regular educational development opens up your career possibilities and can lead to higher paying job opportunities.

Consistently upleveling your SEO skills ensures you remain knowledgeable, adaptable and effective in your SEO efforts.

7. Builds Confidence in Advanced SEO Techniques

SEO training gives students confidence in the area of advanced SEO techniques, including things like:

• Page experience factors: Understanding how a website contributes to user experience, the factors in Google’s algorithm that target user experience and the technical work behind them.
• Schema markup: Understanding and applying schema markup will increase search engines’ comprehension of your content, potentially leading to rich snippets in SERPs and improved visibility for SERPs.
• Voice Search Optimization: Optimizing content and SEO strategies to address voice searches that have become more prevalent with digital assistants such as Alexa and Siri.
• Technical SEO: Mastery of robots.txt functionality, crawl budget allocation, advanced search operator use for SEO purposes and other best practices often overlooked are essential skillsets of Technical SEO.
• Website architecture: Understanding how the site’s content is organized, along with the intricacies of file names and internal linking, affect site relevance and rankability.
• Advanced link building: Employing advanced link-building strategies designed to acquire high-authority backlinks using tactics such as broken link building, skyscraper content creation and digital PR.

The right SEO training gives you the skills to integrate advanced techniques into your SEO strategy. It gives you wisdom to troubleshoot and resolve complex SEO issues faster.

Final Thoughts

Investing in SEO training is a strategic move that offers long-term benefits. From foundational knowledge to advanced techniques, SEO training empowers you to make informed decisions, create comprehensive strategies and effectively communicate your SEO vision.

Staying updated on trends and continuously improving your SEO skills means you can help any business achieve sustained success in the search results.

Registration is open for my next in-person training. Learn how to master SEO, rank better now and grow your business.

Get Your Seat Now

FAQ: How can SEO training help me improve my website’s visibility and ranking on search engines?

Gaining an in-depth understanding of search engine optimization is paramount for those who want to increase their website’s exposure on search platforms. With an SEO training course, you’ll build substantial knowledge on SEO and the way it works systematically to increase your site’s search rankings.

Through the mastery of keyword research, on-page optimization and strategic linking, this educational resource provides the tools you need for organic search success. Google and other search engines rank organized, authoritative websites higher than others; SEO training instructs you on how to satisfy these criteria.

A fundamental concept you’ll become competent in is keyword optimization. Keywords are search terms and phrases people enter to locate products and services like yours online.

With proper SEO training, you’ll discover how to pinpoint the right target keywords for SEO purposes. You’ll also know where these keywords should be used on your website and how to determine their efficacy. Solid knowledge in this area enables you to align your content with what your audience is actively looking for, increasing the chance of your business coming up in the search results.

SEO training will also cover content creation, an undeniably critical area. Creating top notch, relevant content plays a significant role in piquing your visitors’ interest and keeping them engaged.

SEO training provides helpful guidance on how to craft content that’s both applicable to your target market and organized in a way that’s easily indexable by search engines. This encompasses understanding the significance of headers, meta tags and multimedia.

Technical SEO is another area of importance for search engine rankings and overall site performance. Through your SEO training, you’ll hone in on topics like mobile optimization, site speed and the importance of a secure connection.

All of these technical aspects affect how search platforms crawl and ultimately rank your website. Comprehensive SEO training gives you practical experience in making technical improvements on your site.

Yet another core strategy you’ll master in SEO training is backlink building. Gathering backlinks from authoritative sources in your industry hints to search engines that your site is a trustworthy information source. SEO training lays out tactics for getting high quality backlinks and ways to prevent penalties stemming from lower quality backlinks. This helps to raise your site’s ranking potential and industry authority.

Analytics and reporting are two additional aspects of SEO training. Through your education, your instructor will school you on site performance metrics that enable you to make data-driven decisions.

Specialists in the SEO field use tools and resources like Google Analytics to keep track of site traffic patterns, visitor behavior and conversion rates. Analyzing these metrics over time is crucial for meaningful strategy adaptation and refinement.

Since SEO is always evolving, algorithms and industry best practices are always in flux. To stay competitive in this dynamic landscape, you need to stay on top of all things SEO, and SEO training helps with that. The best training sessions go over the most current trends, new resources and algorithmic updates. This information can be used to bolster your website’s rankability and relevancy.

Way too many website owners wrestle with issues like low search rankings and visibility. You don’t have to be one of them. Taking an extensive SEO training course equips web owners with the information and expertise they need to properly revamp their sites.

Putting trusted SEO strategies to work grants you some amazing benefits like increased rankings and visibility and more search traffic.

Step-by-Step Procedure

1. Find a highly regarded SEO training course or program that covers both fundamental and advanced SEO concepts.
2. Sign up for your chosen training class and set a personal commitment to complete it.
3. Start off with training on keyword research, making it a point to become comfortable with keyword research tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, and SEMrush.
4. Pinpoint high-volume, low-competition keywords that are applicable to your niche and audience.
5. Get into on-page optimization. The key here should be to understand best practices for keyword usage in meta descriptions, headers and title tags.
6. Learn all about how to create top quality content that is optimized for SEO and of substantial value to your target audience.
7. Dive into the importance and proper use of internal linking to boost your site’s structure and ease of navigation.
8. Explore technical SEO with a focus on boosting website speed with resources like Google PageSpeed Insights.
9. Learn which steps to take to enhance your site’s mobile friendliness. Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test will likely be referenced.
10. Take in information about website security and the many benefits of HTTPS. Also, if your site doesn’t currently have one, implement an SSL certificate.
11. Immerse yourself in the concept of schema markup, which can assist search engines as they try to understand your content.
12. Get up to speed on link-building methods, which typically involve reaching out to reputable sites for backlinks.
13. Stay far away from black hat SEO schemes, which often result in search engine penalties.
14. Configure and reference your Google Analytics and Search Console to monitor your SEO progress on a regular basis. User behavior, conversion rates and site performance metrics are all of importance.
15. Always remain up-to-date with emerging SEO trends and changes to search engine algorithms. You can do so by following and reading up on Moz and the Search Engine Journal.
16. Take your images to the next level by leveraging alt tags and very descriptive file names to encourage easier indexing.
17. Put out long form content that’s logically structured and user friendly. Ensure that it utilizes proper headings and subheadings.
18. Use media like videos and infographics to further boost user engagement and keep the bounce rate to a minimum.
19. Evaluate your site’s user friendliness. It should provide a smooth and easy visitor experience.
20. Audit your site now and again to diagnose and rectify SEO problems that could affect your site’s ranking potential.
21. Check out SEO-focused forums and communities to swap knowledge and advice and remain in-tune with changes in the industry.
22. Continually review analytical data and industry developments and revise your SEO strategies accordingly.

By employing these innovative strategies, you open yourself up to benefits such as enhanced website visibility and higher search engine rankings.

Comprehensive SEO training isn’t simply an investment in skills; it is also a long-term commitment that keeps your website healthy and competitive.

Few tools are as valuable as SEO training. It provides website owners everything they need to transform their website for the better, specifically in the areas of online exposure and ranking potential.

If you focus on areas like content quality, keyword research, technical SEO and more, you’ll find that you’re well-equipped to remain competitive in the SERPs. The step-by-step instructions outlined above help to facilitate a strategic SEO approach, solidifying your spot as an authority in the digital space.

The post 7 Ways SEO Training Helps You Succeed in SEO appeared first on Bruce Clay, Inc..

If you’re thinking it’s time to get serious about your SEO, here are five sure-fire ways to win at search this year – and beyond:

1. Know your audience
2. Use the right tools for informed SEO
3. Find out what the best are doing …. and do it better
4. Take SEO training
5. Maintain a good reputation
6. FAQ: How can I win at search engine optimization (SEO) in 2023 and beyond? 

1. Know Your Audience

SEO is about knowing what your audience wants, then making sure you have what they need at the moment they are searching. That’s the simplified version, anyway.

So it’s important to do the work to understand your audience, and how SEO can support their customer journey. Check out these tips for more …

3 Steps to Define Your Target Audience for Your SEO Program

In SEO, defining your audience means understanding what they search for. If you don’t know what your target audience would be searching for online then you won’t be able to create content that resonates with them. This can negatively impact conversions.

So, what to do?

1. Demographics: Study your target audience’s demographics. How do those characteristics play into what you have to offer? You can build profiles for both consumers and businesses, depending on if you’re B2C or B2B.
2. Keywords: Keywords, aka search queries, are simply the words and phrases that your target audience might use to find out more about what you have to offer, or the topics you’re a subject matter expert on. Keyword research fuels ideas for relevant content for your website.
3. Qualitative research: Interviewing your target audience is a great way to get inside their minds when it comes to what they want – or even their experience with your website.

For more, check out: 3 Steps to Define Your Target Audience for Your SEO Program

How SEO Supports the Customer Journey

SEO is a marketing activity, and like other marketing activities, it supports the customer journey from awareness to action.

In fact, research shows that people first turn to search engines for discovery and comparison shopping – and that the organic search channel is responsible for driving a majority of revenue over other digital channels for many businesses.

Here are a few ways that SEO supports this customer journey:

Awareness phase: As prospects turn to the search engines to discover what you have to offer, you need to show up in the search results. SEO exists to help you do just that.

Consideration phase: Showing up to the party is one thing, but persuading your prospects to engage with you is another. There is plenty of competition in the search results, and SEO tactics like a compelling search listing to garner click-throughs and great content on your site keep moving your prospects forward.

Decision-making phase: While SEO’s ultimate goal is to drive traffic, our website exists to convert visitors. Decision-making tools and customer reviews can go a long way to helping with this. And a good SEO team will suggest ways you can convert organic traffic better.

For more, check out: How SEO Supports the Customer Journey

2. Use the Right Tools for Informed SEO

You can’t do SEO well without the right data. Building an expert tool stack is one of the first steps to winning at search.

Here are some tips to help …

7 Google SEO Tools Every Website Publisher Should Use

These seven tools are a must-have in your SEO tool kit:

1. Google Analytics 4
2. Google Search Console
3. Mobile-Friendly Test
4. PageSpeed Insights
5. Page Experience Tools
6. Google Trends
7. Search Quality Rater Guidelines

For more, check out: 7 Google SEO Tools Every Website Publisher Should Use

By the way, if you are considering AI content tools as a solution – don’t. They are at best tools, good for outlining or quoting statistics, but it is not a content creation solution.

But it is a worthy tool. Read more about this in my article: AI-Generated Content Is a Tool, Not a Solution.

The Top SEO Software That Experts Use Every Day

There’s a tool for almost every SEO activity out there (and there are a lot of activities to do). We compiled a list of the tools we use on a daily basis for SEO activities like:

• Crawling
• Data aggregation
• Competitive research
• ADA compliance
• GDPR compliance
• Google algorithm affects
• Content optimization tools
• SEO browser extensions and tools

For more, check out:

• The Top SEO Software That Experts Use Every Day
• The Bruce Clay SEO Plugin for WordPress

3. Find Out What the Best Are Doing … And Do It Better

There’s a reason that content is ranking on Page 1 of the search results. Our job as SEO professionals is to figure out why. Of course, there are plenty of tools and strategies to help us do that so we’re not wasting time simply guessing.

Here are some strategies to beat the competition …

SEO Should Beat the Competition, Not the Algorithm

The goal of SEO is to avoid trying to beat a search engine algorithm, which consists of endless combinations of signals. The goal is to beat your competition, but how do you do that? Start by figuring out which websites are ranked at the top for your target queries. Then, create better content.

Keep in mind that when someone conducts a search on Google, its algorithm attempts to establish which webpage provides the most pertinent answers and offers the optimal user experience.

We can never know which algorithmic signals Google applies to a query, so we can never optimize perfectly. We can only try to be the least imperfect compared to the pages that are already ranking.

For example, all else equal, do you think Google would choose Page A over Page B if Page B was a slow-loading website?

For more, check out: SEO Should Beat the Competition Not the Algorithm

How to Do Competitor Research for SEO

So you want to figure out exactly what the competition is doing … here’s where the heavy lifting comes in. You’re going to need the right tools and a roadmap.

Here are some common ways to discover and spy on your competitors in the search results using the SEOToolSet, our own advanced suite of powerful SEO tools:

• Check out the Research Summary report, which gives you detailed information about the domains and webpages ranking for your target keywords.
• Then run the Multi Page Analyzer (MPA) tool to see what the competition is doing to rank. The Single Page Analyzer goes into more detail.
• Next analyze their link profiles using the SEOToolSet Link Report.
• Then you can look at the competition’s website health using the Site Checker.

Also don’t forget to do a SERP analysis to see what other types of content are ranking aside from the blue links.

For more, check out: How to Do Competitor Research for SEO

4. Take SEO Training

One of the best ways to gain a fresh perspective on SEO is to take training. Even the most seasoned SEO professionals prioritize learning.

That said, there are many ways to further an SEO education. Let’s discuss ….

What Is SEO Training?

Simply put: SEO training teaches you how to increase your website’s online visibility and traffic from search engines.

There are many types of educational opportunities out there, including:

• Online training
• In-person training
• Books

Beware of trying to cobble everything together from multiple sources, though. If you are serious about your SEO education, then look for a training course that organizes the chaos and filters out the wrong information. Bad SEO information can kill a website.

For more, check out: What Is SEO Training?

What’s Your SEO Learning Style?

Which type of SEO education is the best first for your preferred learning style? Not everyone learns the same way, and knowing this helps you evaluate a training course.

Most people will fall into one or more of the following learning styles:

• Visual: You prefer graphic elements over words.
• Auditory: You prefer lectures and discussions.
• Read/write: You prefer written information.
• Kinesthetic: You learn through doing.

Spend some time analyzing the following formats so you can figure out which resonates:

• Online training
• Classroom training
• Books
• Supplemental learning
• Membership websites

For more, check out my article on Search Engine Land: What’s Your SEO Learning Style?

It’s Time to Rethink Your SEO Training

The majority of learning during the pandemic took place online. As a result, online learning has evolved over the past handful of years.

Now, people are expecting more from their online learning than they did in 2019. They want more than just a status set of videos, they expect engagement.

Many people want to learn remotely with the option to engage with instructors and other students. And they want all types of content that cater to different learning styles and lifestyle preferences.

This is why it’s time to rethink what SEO training can be. As a company that’s been at the forefront of SEO training for more than 20 years, we’ve reimagined what virtual SEO training can look like.

For more, check out: It’s Time to Rethink Your SEO Training

5 Questions to Evaluate Any SEO Training Course

Always do your due diligence before signing up for SEO training. Here are five questions to ask before taking an online SEO course:

• Who created the course? Do they have the experience and knowledge to provide reliable guidance?
• What materials does the course cover? Know ahead of time the concepts you want to learn, then evaluate your options.
• How is the information presented? Not everyone learns in the same way or expects the same thing from a training course.
• How fresh is the information? Search evolves at break-neck speed. Depending on the topic, you don’t want a course that hasn’t been refreshed in a few years.
• What kind of reviews does the course get? The proof is in the pudding – what are students saying about it?

I wrote more about this on Search Engine Land. See: 5 Questions to Evaluate Any SEO Training Course.

And by the way, we’ve got an excellent training platform at SEOtraining.com. If you’re in need of expert online training with updated resources to help you win at search, you’ll find no better place.

5. Maintain a Good Reputation

Maintaining a good reputation can indirectly impact your search engine rankings. Here are some strategies for understanding reputation and SEO …

Is Sentiment an SEO Trust Signal?

Trust is a big deal to Google – it has said in its Search Quality Rater Guidelines that reputational research is key to understanding if a site is trustworthy or not.

For that reason, we believe that sentiment analysis should be a part of SEO strategy. For more, check out: Is Sentiment an SEO Trust Signal?

How to Use Sentiment Analysis to Strengthen SEO Trustworthiness

With the right tools and looking in the right places, you can begin to get a sense of how people view your business.

We take that data and use it to enhance our SEO audits and track the success of campaigns. Armed with the right sentiment data, we can help businesses:

• Address customer complaints
• Resolve satisfaction issues
• Reward happy reviewers
• Reinforce the brand’s reputation and trustworthiness

For more, read: How to Use Sentiment Analysis to Strengthen SEO Trustworthiness

There you have it – five strategies and multiple tactics to help you win at search this year. Follow the steps in this article and you can breathe new life into your SEO program.

Want expert help to win at search? Contact us today for a free consultation.

FAQ: How can I win at search engine optimization (SEO) in 2023 and beyond?

Search engine optimization (SEO) is an ever-evolving field. In order to stay ahead of the competition, adapting strategies and tactics to the evolving digital landscape is crucial in order to succeed at SEO in 2023.

Understanding Your Audience is Key to an Effective SEO Campaign

Be an informed SEO by arming yourself with the appropriate tools and data. Form an expert-led tool stack for gathering insights and making wise decisions; Google Analytics, Search Console and PageSpeed Insights are essential. In addition, consider installing browser extensions, competitor research tools and content-optimization tools as these will allow you to optimize your website while staying ahead of the competition.

SEO isn’t all about beating search engine algorithms — it’s also about outshooting your competition. Assess what the top sites in your field are doing to provide answers for specific searches, then strive to surpass that by offering superior user experiences, optimizing page loading speed and using decision-making tools. Improving your competitors’ strategies will help you increase organic traffic.

Invest in SEO Training

SEO is an ever-evolving field, so ongoing learning is a necessity. Consider investing in SEO training courses to gain a fresh perspective, expand knowledge and keep abreast of the latest trends. Look for courses with comprehensive information that filters out outdated or misleading material; bad SEO practices could harm your website so ensure reliable educational sources.

Maintain a Good Online Reputation

Keeping a positive online reputation can have an indirect effect on search engine ranking. Develop trust with your audience by responding quickly to customer concerns and rewarding positive reviews. Use sentiment analysis to gauge how your company is perceived, then use this knowledge to enhance SEO audits for maximum performance gains by building trustworthiness into the fabric of your brand and business.

Implementing these strategies and staying informed about SEO developments will position you to be successful in 2023. SEO should be approached as an ongoing process. Remain proactive, adapt to changing priorities and optimize your website continuously for maximum performance.

The post 5 Ways To Win at Search (Roundup) appeared first on Bruce Clay, Inc..

What does it take to succeed in SEO?

The answer is easy but the following things take work:

1. Management support and company-wide commitment
2. SEO training and education
3. Access to SEO experts
4. Reasonable expectations and a willingness to adapt

FAQ: What do companies need to focus on to achieve SEO success?

Let’s dive into the four critical things companies need to be successful in SEO.

1. Management Support and Company-Wide Commitment

Years ago, we delivered more than 100 pages of an SEO audit to one of the largest research and review sites in the automotive sector.

They wanted to do everything we recommended, and to do that, it involved everyone in the company, from the execs to IT to marketing and everyone in between.

So the chairman called a company meeting to announce that SEO would be a key initiative and that they were either on board or they could find somewhere else to work.

That may seem harsh, but their results paid off: A 900% increase in traffic in just the first week after launch.

Implementing SEO is like adding a new business strategy. You can’t “sort of” do SEO or pick and choose some SEO tactics while ignoring others.

This is why you first need management buy-in. The decision-makers need to see SEO as a high-level function. And then, when the company hires an SEO in-house or partners with an agency, they need to look at that role as an executive position.

The right SEO professional will make sophisticated, complex decisions about your online marketing strategy that can and should directly affect the bottom line.

Once management understands the importance of SEO as part of the business model, the commitment to the vision should trickle down from the top.

2. SEO Education and Training

How do you get management on board in the first place? It all starts with education on why SEO is a functional part of the business and how it can generate traffic and revenue.

It’s a big job trying to convince management that SEO is a critical component of the business. But luckily there are a lot of resources to help support your case for SEO.

For instance, you can:

• • • Read my article on six practical ways to get buy-in for SEO.
    • Watch the on-demand webinar on the same topic.
    • Educate executives and other stakeholders about the fundamentals of SEO with our Free Executive’s Guide to SEO video training.

Once you have buy-in, building company-wide support starts with SEO training. Training ensures your SEO practices are consistent, and that the team has a collective knowledge to work together.

With so many options to learn SEO, it can be hard to know which to choose. Over the past few years, companies have kicked online SEO training into high gear – but not all options are equal. To help you evaluate which training course is right for you, see my article on Search Engine Land.

It is time for businesses to rethink their SEO training. I recommend online training that provides the community and support of an in-person class. We have a great SEO training platform that gives you the education, resources and support you need to succeed in SEO.

3. Access to Expert SEOs

Sometimes educating management is smoother when you involve the experts like outside consultants, agencies or hiring in-house.

These professionals can help anyone better understand the breadth of what’s involved. They can also look at your website to give specific recommendations on strategy (called an SEO audit) and can serve as a sounding board for specific questions or problems.

They can also help put in place organization-wide SEO strategies for long-term success. These experts can be the teachers and trainers for your organization if you decide not to enroll in SEO training elsewhere.

Make sure to find an agency or consultant that offers services in line with your particular needs. For example, some SEO vendors only offer packages with little customization when what you really need is a block of hours to use however you choose.

Before deciding on outside help, brush up on the top expert skills of an SEO agency.

And if you’re hiring in-house, be sure to ask the right interview questions for SEO analysts.

4. Reasonable Expectations and a Willingness to Adapt

A healthy SEO strategy takes time. Understanding this is part of the education process before the SEO plan is even implemented. Programs that create long-term value are like fine wine – they get better with age.

Companies sometimes expect immediate rankings, traffic, and conversions. And they think SEOs are doing something wrong when they don’t see it.

Sometimes improvements to a site can show immediate results in some areas, other times the big impactful results don’t show for months.

It’s all about building momentum and results, and progress depends on the health of the site before the SEO implementation. SEO is not meant to be a quick-fix strategy. But once things start rolling, the ROI of SEO can be incredible.

It can also be hard for companies to let go of their site and trust it in the hands of others – or to try new SEO tactics in the face of a changing landscape. This is common when resources have been deeply invested in the development of the sites.

If you’re in good hands with your SEOs, then you need to learn to trust that they’re the experts.

And yes, it may take time to rebuild your site from an SEO perspective. It may also mean that much of what you’ve done with your site needs to be reworked.

But it’s all part of the SEO game. You will have to adapt SEO many times over to respond to Google changes, competition, and other changes and economic conditions; but SEO – when done right – is something you won’t regret.

If implementing in-house SEO feels daunting, let our experts run your SEO. You can learn more about how we help our clients excel with specialized SEO strategies that deliver real results. Fill out our contact form to schedule a FREE 1:1 consultation.

FAQ: What do companies need to focus on to achieve SEO success?

To achieve success in SEO, companies must focus on four critical aspects: management support and company-wide commitment, SEO training, and education, access to SEO experts, and maintaining reasonable expectations with a willingness to adapt. Implementing these factors requires effort and dedication, but the rewards are worth it.

Management Support and Company-Wide Commitment

For SEO to be effective, it requires a company-wide commitment. This means involving everyone in the organization, from executives to IT to marketing and beyond. A key step is gaining management support and making SEO a high-level function. When the decision-makers recognize SEO’s importance and dedicate resources to it, the results can be remarkable. For example, a research and review site in the automotive sector experienced a 900% increase in traffic within the first week of implementing SEO strategies.

SEO Education and Training

To gain management support, it is crucial to educate them on the value of SEO in driving traffic and generating revenue. Numerous resources are available to support this cause, such as articles and webinars focused on convincing stakeholders of SEO’s significance. Once the company understands the importance of SEO, training becomes essential. Consistent SEO practices and collective knowledge within the team can be achieved through training programs. When selecting online training options, prioritize those that provide a supportive community similar to an in-person class.

Access to Expert SEOs

Engaging SEO experts can greatly aid in educating management and implementing successful SEO strategies. These professionals, such as consultants or agencies, can offer recommendations through SEO audits, address specific questions or problems and develop organization-wide SEO strategies. It is important to choose an agency or consultant that aligns with your needs and offers customization options. Additionally, when hiring in-house SEO analysts, ask the right interview questions to ensure a suitable fit for your company.

Reasonable Expectations and a Willingness to Adapt

A vital aspect of successful SEO is maintaining reasonable expectations and being open to adaptation. It is crucial to understand that SEO strategies take time to yield results. While some improvements may have an immediate impact, significant and lasting outcomes may take months to materialize. SEO is not a quick-fix solution but a long-term investment. Trusting the expertise of SEO professionals and allowing them to make necessary changes is key. Embracing changes in Google algorithms, competition, and economic conditions is essential for continuous success.

Companies aiming for success in SEO should prioritize management support and company-wide commitment, invest in SEO education and training, leverage the expertise of SEO professionals, and maintain reasonable expectations while adapting to changes. By dedicating effort to these areas, companies can unlock the full potential of SEO and reap the long-term benefits it offers.

The post The 4 Critical Things Companies Need for SEO Success appeared first on Bruce Clay, Inc..

Every Monday, SEO is a brand-new industry. It’s complex and can be difficult to keep up with the constant changes.

In the right hands, SEO is a powerful tool that makes your brand first among equals.

In the wrong hands, doing SEO incorrectly hurts your brand and can ultimately cause your business to fail. The difference between the two is expertise.

So in order to implement a successful SEO program, it would be wise to work with an experienced agency or consultant.

An expert SEO agency knows how to implement good strategies to improve your online visibility, establish your company as a trusted authority in your niche, attract more organic traffic to your website, and increase your revenue.

Not all SEO agencies are created equal — some are good, some are bad. If you know more about SEO than your agency does, don’t expect to see meaningful results. And if you’re not getting the best results from your SEO campaign, it’s time to look elsewhere.

There are many factors you should consider before deciding on hiring outside help. Here, we will look at the top 10 expert skills you should expect from an SEO agency:

1. 1. 1. Keyword research
      2. Competitor analysis
      3. On-page optimization
      4. Off-page optimization
      5. Technical SEO
      6. Content marketing
      7. Local SEO
      8. Analytics and reporting
      9. SEO tools
      10. SEO training

   FAQ: What are the top contributions that an SEO agency can make to your SEO program?

1. Keyword Research

Keyword research is a critical component of every successful SEO campaign. It’s what helps you understand your target audience and their search behaviors.

A good SEO agency will utilize keyword research to provide you with an edge in understanding and outranking your competitors. They will also conduct content gap analyses to identify gaps and enhance an overall competitive content strategy.

The top three search results for a query get the majority of clicks. An agency will help you align your content creation and optimization with the keywords and queries your audience is looking for to give you a better chance of showing up in those positions.

For more, read:

• What are keywords? Why are keywords important to SEO?

2. Competitor Analysis

The goal of SEO is to beat the competition, not the algorithm.

SEO agencies know how to conduct a thorough competitor analysis to analyze the SEO strategies of a website’s competition. These insights inform the recommendations they make on how to outperform them.

For more on competitor analysis, read:

• How to do competitor research for SEO

3. On-Page Optimization

On-page optimization improves a website’s relevance and user experience, leading to higher visibility in search engines.

Some tactics include:

• Optimizing the website’s content with keywords.
• Deploying the right formatting.
• Schema markup.
• Making sure a webpage is mobile-friendly, user-friendly, and fast.
• Focusing on the organization of the content throughout the site, including the internal linking strategy.

With expert knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, a great SEO agency can optimize a website’s structure, content, and design to ensure it meets the technical requirements of search engines and user needs.

Our Always Up-to-Date SEO Checklist is a great resource to help you with on-page optimization. I suggest bookmarking the page for frequent reference.

4. Off-Page Optimization

Off-page optimization includes things like social media marketing, influencer promotions, press releases, and earning quality links to the website.

Backlinks are a ranking factor, although it isn’t specifically the number of links that matters. Fewer high-quality backlinks can better improve the credibility and authority of a website than a large volume of lower-quality ones.

In other words: The days of “link building” are over …. ultimately, earning relevant links comes down to creating great content that people want to link to and share.

For more on backlinks, see:

• The New Link Building Manifesto: A Complete Guide to Earning Links That Count

5. Technical SEO

Technical SEO involves optimizing a website’s performance to ensure it meets the technical requirements of search engines and offers a great user experience.

For example, page speed is a confirmed Google ranking signal, and Google wants pages to load in under 2.5 seconds.

Technical failures are a common reason for a drop in rankings and traffic. And the complexity of today’s websites requires an expert to identify and fix any issues that may cause these drops in traffic.

With expertise in website architecture, server configuration, and user experience, the right SEO agency can ensure that your site is technically sound and make it easier for search engines to access it.

For more on technical SEO, see:

• Technical SEO vs. On-Page SEO: The DIfferences
• SEO Guide: Technical SEO Tips

6. Content Marketing

Content marketing is about creating and sharing content in a way that helps you achieve your business and marketing objectives.

Content marketing involves:

• Communicating effectively.
• Making connections.
• Sharing the right content.
• Engaging your audience.
• Being in the right place at the right time.
• Seizing opportunity.
• Inspiring action.
• Nurturing the needs of your customers.
• Showcasing your personality/company culture in a way that fits the brand.

An expert SEO agency understands how experience, expertise, authority, and trust factor into quality content that builds trust with your market. They are skilled at developing content strategies, optimizing content for target keywords, and implementing content promotion techniques that demonstrate authority to search engines and to your target audience.

7. Local SEO

Local SEO is critical for businesses that rely on local customers. In fact, research from BrightLocal shows that 98% of people use the internet to find information about a local business.

Some of the SEO tactics used in local SEO differ from traditional techniques for organic search results (“10 blue links”).

And the complexity of local SEO grows when you have national and multi-site businesses, including franchises.

An experienced agency knows how to utilize local keyword research, on-page optimization, and local link building to ensure that a business’s website appears in local search results for the most valuable queries.

For more on local SEO, read:

• How Do I Rank Higher in Google Local Search?

8. Analytics and Reporting

Analytics and reporting are essential to measure the success of an SEO campaign and identify areas for improvement.

SEO agencies should frequently check in with you to provide detailed reports on the website’s performance, rankings, and traffic. They are experienced in data analytics tools like Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and other SEO tools. And with the launch of Google Analytics 4 (GA4), an agency will have even more powerful tools to track and analyze user behavior on your website.

9. SEO Tools

SEO tools can provide a competitive advantage and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of any agency’s services.

These tools can provide valuable information about keyword research, backlink analysis, and website optimization.

Some SEO agencies (like ours) have their own proprietary SEO tools. Our SEO ToolSet software offers a suite of unique tools for website optimization. It’s been used by over 5,000 clients, including Fortune 500 companies and government agencies.

With access to the right tools, an agency can provide businesses with a unique and effective strategy that outperforms its competitors.

Remember that there is always a difference between data and wisdom. SEO tools can inundate you with data, but what sets agencies apart is the wisdom to understand what the data is telling you.

A skilled SEO agency will give you the right data with information specific to your website, then make actionable recommendations to help you make the right decisions for your business.

For more on SEO tools, see:

• The Top SEO Software That Experts Use Every Day

10. SEO Training

SEO training, like tools, can provide a competitive advantage and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of any agency services.

By learning how SEO works or improving upon the SEO skills you already have, you can have more strategic conversations with your SEO provider.

As the SEO industry continues to grow, the demand for training courses has steadily increased. Google Trends data shows a notable surge in search interest for SEO training services toward the last quarter of 2021.

These trends underscore the vital importance of investing in SEO training, showing its importance for business survival in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

Some SEO companies provide SEO training – we happen to be one of them. We’ve trained tens of thousands of students over 27 years on the foundations of SEO and evolving best practices.

In the past few years, we have reinvented our SEO training from in-person classes to an online membership site with tons of resources for its members in various content formats.

With the constant changes to search engine algorithms, staying up-to-date on SEO best practices and strategies through quality training is essential to remain competitive in today’s online marketplace.

There are a plethora of SEO training offerings out there — you must do your research and choose wisely. Before committing to anything, I suggest reading my article on Search Engine Land to help you evaluate your options.

Looking for an experienced SEO agency with a proven track record of helping websites get to Page 1 in the search results? Look no further than Bruce Clay, Inc.! Reach out to us to schedule a free consultation.

FAQ: What are the top contributions that an SEO agency can make to your SEO program?

Many businesses don’t have the time, resources, or knowledge to implement a successful SEO program. Working with an experienced SEO agency can significantly enhance your campaign. Here are the top skills you should look for when deciding to hire outside help.

Keyword Research

Keyword research is at the core of any successful SEO strategy. SEO agencies possess the knowledge and expertise required to perform thorough searches that identify relevant keywords for your industry, product, or service. They also optimize websites so they rank higher in search engine result pages (SERPs). By understanding your audience and their search behavior, agencies can optimize sites so they appear higher up in SERPs, leading to more organic traffic and conversions.

Competitor Analysis

To be the best in SEO, it means outstripping competitors. SEO agencies specialize in competitor analysis to gain valuable insight into their strategies and assist you with creating an improved SEO plan by studying what others are doing. Using this knowledge, they can identify opportunities to outrank rivals and bring more qualified traffic to your site.

Expert On-Page SEO

Optimizing the relevance and user experience of your website is paramount for its success. An SEO agency utilizes its extensive knowledge of HTML and CSS to optimize the structure, design and content of your website in accordance with search engines’ technical requirements while simultaneously meeting user demands. A specialist agency can boost rankings and targeted traffic by employing strategies such as keyword optimization, formatting schema markups and creating user-friendly navigation.

Off-page SEO

Off-page SEO refers to activities performed outside of your website that contribute to its overall search engine optimization success. A good SEO agency can develop an effective off-page strategy for optimizing your website, including social media marketing, influencer promotion, link acquisition strategies, or creating high-quality links. These experts understand the importance of a good link-building strategy and can create content that earns backlinks for increased authority, credibility and visibility for your brand.

Analytical Insights and Reporting

Reporting and analytics are crucial in evaluating the success of any SEO campaign and identifying any areas for improvement. SEO agencies typically provide regular reports detailing website traffic, rankings and key metrics gathered using data-driven insights provided by tools like Google Analytics and Search Console that will allow you to stay ahead of competitors in an ever-evolving digital landscape. These reports help keep an accurate account of SEO campaign activities while keeping a detailed log of improvements necessary in real-time.

Choosing the right partnership with an SEO agency can be the key to the success of your business. Take the time to get to know them, what they offer and what their track record is like. Leverage their experience in the industry to achieve better results — more traffic, visibility, leads, conversions, sales and customers.

The post 10 Expert Skills of an SEO Agency appeared first on Bruce Clay, Inc..

Beginning the process of learning SEO can be overwhelming. SEO comes with unique challenges and no matter how well-versed you are in your industry, it is your own area of expertise. Whether you’re looking to change careers and work in SEO marketing, or are a small business owner looking to multiply your SEO efforts, learning SEO is a valuable skill.

The good news is that anyone can learn SEO basics and start their journey with the proper mindset, approach, training, and resources. In this article, I’ll address some common beginner-related queries when starting their SEO journey:

• Is SEO hard to learn?
• What skills do you need for SEO?
• Does SEO require coding?
• How do I learn SEO?
• FAQ: How can beginners overcome the overwhelming nature of learning SEO and start their journey in digital marketing?

And I’ll offer practical advice to help you along the way. Let’s jump in.

Getting Started with SEO

There’s a lot to think about when you get started. From learning the basics like what SEO is and why it’s important, to more advanced topics like siloing and technical SEO, it might seem intimidating at first. So let’s start simple and look at some common questions that beginners ask.

Is SEO hard to learn?

There is a perception that SEO is a complex and technical field that requires advanced skills and knowledge.

And that is not untrue if you want to be the best – but nobody is an expert when they first start out. And every expert had to take the very same first steps as you will.

SEO is certainly complex, but it is a learnable skill. Is it hard to learn it? Not if you have the proper training and time to dedicate to applying what you’ve learned.

Here are some tips as you embark on your journey to learn SEO:

• You’ll do best if you break everything down into bite-sized chunks and hone your skills one at a time.
• Set realistic and measurable goals, and track progress using metrics such as rankings, website traffic, and conversion rates. (Keep in mind: It is the job of SEO to drive qualified traffic to the website. After that, it is the job of the website to convert those leads through marketing tactics.)
• Celebrate your achievements along the way!
• Remember: Learning SEO is a continuous process and it is not a once-and-done activity. It requires patience, persistence, and a growth mindset.

What skills do you need for SEO?

Simply understanding SEO can put you on equal footing with experienced professionals, no matter your background or experience level. But be mindful that there are various kinds of SEO skill sets and degrees of expertise within them.

For example, one SEO professional may be a master content creator, while another might be a good SEO strategist. Still, another may be a whiz at implementing technical SEO, while another might focus solely on SEO audits. And some SEO professionals (like us here at Bruce Clay, Inc.) can do it all!

Yes, SEO requires a combination of technical and creative abilities. And, of course, the most valuable SEO asset is expertise, which comes over time.

Here are some skill sets that will help you succeed in SEO:

• An analytical mindset.
• The ability to thrive in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment.
• The desire to continuously learn SEO knowledge and improve skills.
• An ethical approach to SEO.

You can also check out the soft skills that SEOs need to succeed, too.

Does SEO require coding?

People often want to know if SEO requires coding. Short answer? Yes and no.

If you aren’t interested in learning code and you don’t have a technical background, you’re going to hit a wall eventually with how much you can learn. That said, many areas of SEO do not require coding — a study from Backlinko analyzed more than 7,000 SEO job postings and found that the majority of SEO jobs covered more general tasks. Only about 23% required technical SEO skills, but the ability to code often meant more pay.

Here are some recommendations as you develop your SEO skill set:

• Focus on mastering the foundational aspects of SEO first, such as keyword research and quality content creation before diving into more technical aspects of SEO.
• Use SEO tools and SEO plugins to automate or simplify some of the technical aspects of SEO, such as schema markup and meta tags.
• Collaborate with a developer or hire an SEO agency to handle the technical aspects of SEO, while you focus on the creative aspects.

How do I learn SEO?

Most people learn SEO on their own, go through formal training, or a combination of both. (Read more about how to learn SEO.)

Learning SEO on your own

Some beginners prefer to learn SEO on their own at their own pace, rather than investing in formal training.

But this approach can be daunting. There is no lack of opinions and resources when it comes to SEO; videos, books, webinars, and more exist – how will you start and pull together everything necessary for successful implementation?

Also: Some people may lack the structure, feedback, and accountability provided by a teacher or mentor.

A word of caution: If you are learning from those who are not approaching SEO the right way, it can have serious ramifications for your developing skills and the websites you work on.

As you can probably tell, I lean more towards not trying to learn SEO on your own without some sort of formal training, which I’ll talk about next. But if you are going at it alone, I suggest starting with our free comprehensive Search Engine Optimization: How To Do SEO Guide. It’s packed with 19 lessons that teach you SEO basics, best practices, and everything you need to know to get ranked.

Taking an SEO training program

When it comes to formal SEO training programs, you have options. How do you evaluate those options so that you are investing wisely?

Here are some tips:

• Find out who the people are behind the training – are they reputable?
• Assess the material covered. Is it comprehensive on the subjects you want to learn?
• Discover how the information is presented. Does it jive with your learning style?
• Dig deeper to find out how fresh the information is. Were the videos recorded years ago, and is the information out of date?
• Read the reviews – what are other students saying about the program?

If you decide to take an online, self-paced SEO training program (like ours at SEOtraining.com), here are some tips to stay on track:

• Set goals for yourself and support those goals with a study schedule you can commit to.
• Leverage all the resources available to you from the program.
• Connect with an SEO mentor on your learning journey.

For more, check out my articles featured on Search Engine Land:

• What’s Your SEO Learning Style?
• 5 Questions to Evaluate Any SEO Training Course

Continuing education

After you learn the foundations of SEO, you have the burden of continuing education, which, in a fast-paced environment like SEO, should occur on a weekly or monthly basis.

Search engines update their algorithms frequently, and best practices change over time. This can be overwhelming; many feel like they are always playing catch-up.

To overcome this:

• Follow reputable SEO sources, like our SEO blog, and other blogs, social media accounts, or email lists.
• Attend SEO webinars or conferences to network and learn from other professionals and experts.
• Experiment with new keyword approaches and marketing strategies.

Final Thoughts

Digital marketing is a complex (but exciting!) world. Never stop learning about SEO. Remember — both your failures AND your successes can help you learn. And finally, be patient. SEO takes time, but with the right approach and mindset, anyone can learn it.

Ready to start your SEO journey? Check out our expert online SEO training course to learn what it takes to successfully compete in search.

FAQ: How can beginners overcome the overwhelming nature of learning SEO and start their journey in digital marketing?

Beginners looking to enter SEO should break their learning process down into manageable chunks. SEO is a complex subject with multiple concepts and techniques, so it’s essential that newcomers develop one skill at a time before progressing to more advanced topics. Beginners can create a solid SEO foundation by mastering basic topics first before moving on to more advanced ones.

As SEO is an ever-evolving field, embracing experimentation can be invaluable. There’s no one approach that fits everyone! Don’t be intimidated to explore different approaches and techniques as long as they adhere to ethical standards. Learning from mistakes allows you to grow and advance in the industry.

As part of a strategy to track progress, setting realistic and measurable targets is crucial to ensure successful SEO efforts. Metrics like website traffic and rankings will allow you to assess SEO success; its primary function should be driving qualified traffic towards your site while the website should then convert these leads using effective marketing techniques.

Celebrating your achievements along the way will keep you motivated and ensure a positive outlook. SEO requires patience and persistence; reinforce your progress by celebrating milestones along the way and staying inspired!

Beginners can manage the overwhelming nature of SEO through a systematic approach, including experimentation with various techniques, setting measurable objectives, and celebrating successes. Anyone can achieve digital marketing success with dedication and a growth mindset.

The post Learning SEO for Beginners: Where and How To Start appeared first on Bruce Clay, Inc..

With millions of websites competing for top positions on search engine results pages, it is vital that your business implements an SEO plan to ensure it can stay visible and relevant to potential customers.

Hiring outside SEO assistance may seem out of reach for smaller businesses or those on a tight marketing budget. But not all hope is lost — SEO vendors sometimes provide cost-cutting options that still deliver excellent results, like partial service SEO offerings.

If you’re in need of SEO expertise, there are multiple methods available to you. Let’s discuss five ways you can get cost-effective SEO help right now to drive more organic website traffic.

1. 1. SEO consulting
   2. Website audits
   3. Time blocks
   4. SEO training
   5. SEO tools

FAQ: How can I get cost-effective SEO help to improve my online visibility and attract potential customers? 

1. SEO Consulting

SEO consulting services are an excellent alternative to a full-service agency approach.

Consulting services enable businesses to get SEO guidance for a specified period of time so they can create and maintain a search engine-rewarded site. Hiring a consultant is different than hiring an agency that does everything for you from ideation to execution. It’s a perfect option for companies that need expert guidance but cannot afford an agency that handles everything.

SEO consultants can provide a range of services from reviewing your website content and performance to keyword and competitor analysis, or developing an SEO strategy tailored to your specific needs.

For instance, here at Bruce Clay Inc., we tailor consulting programs based on client needs and in-house capabilities (what clients can reasonably do on their own).

You can work with an SEO consultant for potentially any mission-specific project as a cost-effective solution to improve your SEO with limited resources.

2. Website Audits

Site audits are an excellent option for businesses looking to improve their SEO on a limited budget.

An SEO audit is a website analysis that looks at issues hindering your search engine rankings and areas that need improvement to gain more visibility in the search results and drive organic search traffic. This analysis uncovers valuable insights into your website’s performance and pinpoints areas for optimization, like improving website speed or optimizing content. By addressing these issues, you can improve your website’s search engine ranking and attract more organic traffic.

The best audits require an expert deep dive with tailored solutions versus a generic one-size-fits-all report generated by an SEO tool that merely points out surface-level issues. (And they should also include some consulting time as you implement the changes.)

Site audits are invaluable as they allow you to get expert SEO advice on the best ways to boost your website.

For more on audits, see:

• What Is an SEO Audit?
• SEO Audits and Tools: The Good, The Better and The Best

3. Time Blocks

Investing in time blocks is a great way to engage with an expert, especially if you’re working on a short project and are looking for validation.

A time block is just what it sounds like – a block of time that you purchase from an SEO vendor. Not every agency or SEO professional may offer this. But when they do, it can be a great way to customize what you want the expert to do for you.

Whereas SEO consulting is largely an expert telling you what to do, a time block-type arrangement can secure a number of hours where the SEO pro implements anything you need. This is like hiring a handyman to perform the tasks you have identified; it can be great for the more technical tasks that perhaps you don’t have the skills for.

One example of a project best suited for a time block would be to align your site to Google’s page experience update and its core web vitals – a task that really requires technical expertise.

4. SEO Training

SEO training teaches you how to increase your website’s online visibility and traffic from search engines on your own. Training courses can provide businesses with an effective solution for taking a DIY approach to SEO.

But the sheer volume of information can be daunting, making it hard to know where or how you should begin or focus your energy. There are various SEO training solutions out there, but not all will produce equal results. Choose wisely or you are wasting your money.

I believe the best course of action is this process:

1. Take a formal SEO training course.
2. Have a good SEO reference manual/book you can refer to along your journey.
3. Read articles from SEO experts you can trust on an ongoing basis. (If you haven’t already, I highly suggest subscribing to the Bruce Clay Blog.)
4. Continue to learn by attending quality events throughout the year (virtual or in-person) – the more, the better.

SEO education is never done – even when you become an expert. So make this a continuous part of your journey.

Learn more:

• How to Learn Search Engine Optimization
• What Is SEO Training?
• DIY SEO: 4 Questions to Ask Before You Start
• 5 Questions to Evaluate Any SEO Training Course [Search Engine Land]

We offer expert online SEO training, videos, and other resources at SEOtraining.com. It’s an interactive membership experience that evolves with SEO to keep you informed on what’s changing in the world of search marketing. You’ll learn our tried-and-true SEO methodologies that will help you achieve better results — more traffic, qualified leads, customers, sales, and revenue.

5. SEO Tools

For those with an extremely limited budget who are also up for the challenge of doing the basics of SEO on their own, simply investing in SEO tools can help you make data-driven decisions.

But a word of warning: Without a basic understanding of SEO, tools will provide the data but you will ultimately lack the wisdom of how to interpret that data.

At Bruce Clay Inc., we give our SEO training students access to our proprietary SEO tools, so that they can learn SEO and learn how to read the data at the same time.

Either way, tools can get you to a certain point, but then it’s time to think about investing in your SEO skills and education to break through the plateau.

For more, see:

• 7 Google SEO Tools That Every Website Publisher Should Use
• The Top SEO Software That Experts Use Every Day
• Bruce Clay SEO Plugin for WordPress Users
• SEOToolSet.com

Every business has its own unique set of challenges. Evaluate your resources and goals before deciding on what type of SEO help you need.

From SEO consulting and site audits to block services, SEO training and SEO tools — we offer it all. Schedule a free consultation to discuss how we can help you achieve your search goals.

FAQ: How can I get cost-effective SEO help to improve my online visibility and attract potential customers?

Cost-effective SEO strategies to increase online visibility and attract potential customers

As a businessperson, you understand the significance of creating an engaging online presence for engaging and attracting potential customers. Search engine optimization plays an integral part in increasing website visibility and driving organic traffic to your site.
Though hiring an outside SEO expert might seem costly, there are cost-cutting measures you can employ that can increase online visibility while simultaneously increasing customer acquisition.

This article explores five strategies for cost-effective SEO assistance.

1. SEO Consulting Services: Offering Tailored Advice for Success
SEO consulting is an ideal alternative to hiring an agency. By contracting an SEO consultant for a fixed period, they provide customized guidance tailored specifically to your needs and circumstances. An SEO consultant can offer valuable insight and guidance tailored specifically for your site content, performance analysis, keyword research or competitor analysis needs. At Bruce Clay Inc., we understand the importance of customizing our consulting programs based on client requirements as well as internal capabilities.

2. Website Audits: Discover Insights to Enhance Performance
Site audits can be an ideal solution for businesses on a limited budget looking to enhance their SEO. SEO audits involve conducting an in-depth examination of your site that highlights issues hindering search engine ranking and areas requiring improvement, including issues such as website speed optimization or content optimization. Invest in services offering customized audit solutions rather than just general reports generated by SEO software programs.

3. Our experts specialize in developing tailored solutions to address Time Blocks
By investing in time blocks, you can hire an SEO vendor for specific hours at a fixed rate. This option acts like hiring an efficient handyman when dealing with technical tasks that require specialization; such as aligning your website to Google’s Page Experience Update and Core Web Vitals requirements. While not all agencies or professionals provide time blocks as an option to customize assistance as effectively as possible.

4. Gain SEO Knowledge and Empower Yourself
If you prefer doing SEO yourself, investing in professional training is a smart move. SEO courses will teach you how to increase website visibility online and generate organic traffic. In order to remain up-to-date with industry best practices and stay abreast of industry practices, it’s best to select formal courses, utilize reliable manuals, follow experts regularly, as well as attend quality events both physically and virtually throughout the year – this way your knowledge will continue to expand.

5. SEO Tools: Data-Driven Decisions
SEO tools provide invaluable data that can assist with decision-making when on a tight budget. But it’s important to remember that without knowledge of SEO, interpreting data may prove challenging; before turning to tools for help, it is wiser to develop a basic knowledge first. Bruce Clay Inc offers students access to proprietary SEO tools which enable them to learn SEO efficiently while effectively interpreting data.

There are numerous cost-effective strategies to enhance your online presence and attract customers, such as SEO consulting, website auditors, time blocks, and SEO training. Each business differs; therefore it’s essential that you assess both goals and resources before choosing the optimal approach for SEO investment. Utilizing cost-effective strategies for SEO will enable you to optimize online visibility without straining marketing budgets.

Bruce Clay Inc. offers businesses of any size extensive experience in improving their SEO to achieve online success. Our team keeps abreast of industry trends and search engine algorithms; their services can be tailored specifically to meet each client’s unique needs and budget.

Don’t let the perceived costs of SEO deter you from increasing online visibility. Our cost-effective strategies and experienced partners can help increase website rankings, traffic volume, and business expansion. Contact us to discover how our solutions can assist your organization to thrive in today’s digital marketplace!

The post 5 Cost-Effective Ways You Can Get SEO Help Right Now appeared first on Bruce Clay, Inc..

If you haven’t been following my advice about focusing on SEO over the past couple of years during the pandemic, now is the time to focus. For many businesses, this means laying the foundation for a new SEO program.

Many companies are investing in their staff, either by reskilling employees or hiring new people. These people will need SEO training.

And it’s not just the marketing folks. SEO should be a strategic initiative across your organization if you want to be truly successful. That’s because more than just the marketing team has a stake in your website. And they all have competing priorities.

So as we adjust to how the pandemic has changed business, we need to look to the future. And part of that future is getting your staff ready to execute a highly successful SEO program so you can be found online. Begin learning now:

• A comprehensive real-time SEO curriculum
• Access to experts, different learning formats, and community
• FAQ: What are the benefits of a real-time SEO curriculum in virtual learning?

Two Major Benefits of Online SEO Training

One of the things that came out of the pandemic was a surge in virtual learning. Online learning offers many benefits, including reduced costs. And online SEO training can be excellent as a quick primer or continuing education.

But today, there is a distinction between regular old online training with a set of static videos, and a new approach to SEO training that reimagines the classroom online. If you really want to get a serious SEO education, nothing beats interactive online training.

Here are two major reasons why.

1. A Comprehensive, Real-Time SEO Curriculum

When we designed our new online SEO training, we wanted it to be a university-level, intensive curriculum. That is because some online courses lack the depth and breadth needed to fully understand the monumental topic of SEO.

When we used to run our classroom SEO training here in Simi Valley (pre-pandemic), it was 4.5 days of learning and included everything a person would need to know to seriously boost their SEO program.

We took that same rigorous training and adapted it to an interactive online environment.

Here’s a peek into all the topics we cover:

• The Importance of SEO
• SEO concepts
• Meet the search engines
• Website anatomy
• Search now and in the future
• Content for SEO
• Mobile SEO
• Local search
• Linking strategies
• Siloing concepts
• Technical SEO
• Best practices

As a real-time training format, we have the ability to tweak the curriculum and the content how we see fit to speak to current events. Regular online courses, once recorded, do not have the flexibility of changing content to reflect the newest trends.

While the fundamentals of SEO largely stay the same, a pre-recorded course can’t handle, for example, the latest algorithm changes. Or how SEO strategies have changed as a result of the pandemic. We can.

2. Access to Experts, Different Learning Formats, and Community

While virtual learning is on the rise and definitely has its place, the reality is that completion rates for online courses rarely rise above 15 percent.

This could be due in part to distraction and competing priorities. As this article points out about online learning: “Twentieth-century instructional methods just don’t work as well for busy, distracted 21st-century learners.”

You also have to consider the different generations of learners, all of which prefer different styles of learning. Plus, learning solo can be unmotivating for some.

The good news is that virtual SEO training is evolving. No longer will a set of static videos meet the needs of virtual learners.

For many, learning is inherently social. One of the pioneers of online learning, Andrew Ng, has said that (link above) traditional learning methods are often the most successful:

“Students sit with their best friends, they work on problems together, they critique each others’ solutions — lots of pedagogical studies show that these more interactive modes of student engagement result in better student learning.”

This is the type of community we are working towards with our online SEO training.

I’ve seen time and time again how the social component works in a classroom setting. So we want to be able to facilitate the type of support that comes from in-person classes.

We do that through things like an online forum where students can connect and live question-and-answer sessions with the instructors.

Start Planning Now

Learning a complex subject like SEO does not happen in a few hours of passively watching an online course. You need a format where there are no distractions, and where you can learn and collaborate with colleagues to solve your real-world SEO problems.

As we move out of uncertain times into more of the unknown, a solid SEO strategy is critical to business survival. Consider how you will get your team positioned for productivity and growth.

If you’re ready for your teams to learn SEO together, what are the next steps? There are not many top-notch interactive SEO courses that teach students how SEO really works. Go for quality, look at reputation, review testimonials and consider how the investment will set your business up for success.

This is a new SEO world and you do not bring a knife to a gunfight. Train your troops or settle for poor results.

When you’re ready to start or improve your SEO program, our online SEO training membership experience will teach you how to earn better results — more website traffic, online visibility, qualified leads, sales, customers AND revenue. Sign up here and start training today!

The post SEO Training: Get Ready for a Brand-new World appeared first on Bruce Clay, Inc..