What Does an SEO Consultant Do? And How To Become One

SEO consultants work with brands to ensure their websites appear at the top of the search engine results for specific keywords.

To deliver the right results, consultants can handle everything from keyword research to website development and content strategy creation.

Read on to learn more about the role of an SEO consultant and whether it might be the right career choice for you.

What is an SEO Consultant?

An SEO consultant is a specialist who helps businesses improve their online visibility and search engine rankings. They analyze websites, implement technical fixes, optimize content, and develop link-building strategies to drive organic traffic.

Their role includes conducting SEO audits, keyword research, competitor analysis, and creating data-driven strategies to increase website performance. SEO consultants stay updated with search engine algorithm changes and provide recommendations to ensure long-term success.

Do Companies Need an SEO Consultant?

Yes, most companies benefit from hiring an SEO consultant. Search engine algorithms constantly evolve, making it challenging for businesses to maintain high rankings without expert guidance.

An SEO consultant ensures your website follows best practices, adapts to algorithm updates, and stays ahead of competitors. They help improve website structure, optimize content, and build high-quality backlinks to increase organic traffic.

An SEO consultant is essential to achieving sustainable growth and long-term success for businesses relying on online visibility for leads and sales.

SEO Consultant Skills and Education

Becoming an SEO consultant won’t always require professionals to have a specific degree. However, many experts in this field hold bachelor’s degrees in relevant topics. It’s common for an SEO consultant to have an educational background in business, IT, and marketing.

However, most SEO experts develop their education through specialist SEO and digital marketing courses. Qualifications and certifications are available through online SEO boot camps and course platforms.

Some leading search engines, such as Google, even offer their own courses for SEO students (see Best Google SEO Courses for more details).

Key skills required often by SEO Consultants include:

SEO knowledge: A good SEO consultant will know the ins and outs of SEO, including how to use popular SEO Tools like Semrush and Ahrefs.

Research skills: To thrive in the changing search engine landscape, an SEO consultant must be able to research user personas, search engine strategies, and market trends. They should be able to collect relevant research and convey data to stakeholders.

Strong communication skills: SEO consultants often work alongside business leaders and other marketing experts to create strategies for search engine success. They need to convey information in a way that everyone can understand.

Digital marketing skills: Many top consultants will have a strong knowledge of SEO and understand how to create cross-channel marketing campaigns. They’ll also know how to leverage social media, PR, and other forms of marketing to improve their online presence.

Technical skills: Aside from being able to work with common SEO tools like Google Analytics, Semrush, and Ahrefs, SEO consultants often need basic coding knowledge. They should understand how to optimize websites from a technical standpoint.

A commitment to learning: Because the search engine landscape constantly evolves with new algorithms and rules, SEO consultants must be committed to expanding their knowledge. You should have an inquisitive mindset and be focused on growth.

Analytical skills: SEO consultants often need to create reports and evaluate the market based on the changes to the SEO landscape. They should be able to analyze the success of different SEO strategies and use what they learn to improve business results.

Strategic skills: SEO consultants need to be strategic. They frequently work with business leaders to create comprehensive marketing and sales strategies, which requires them to look at SEO and the marketing landscape holistically.

Organizational skills: SEO consultants are often required to manage multiple campaigns and strategies simultaneously. They should be able to conduct A/B tests promptly and respond to marketplace changes quickly to avoid issues.

Depending on your role as an SEO consultant, you may need to develop some additional skills.

For instance, if you plan on becoming a freelance consultant, you’ll need to know how to run your own business, seek out clients, and deliver excellent customer service.

What Does an SEO Consultant Do?

The responsibilities of an SEO consultant can vary depending on the role. If you choose to work alongside an SEO or digital marketing agency, you may be responsible for a lot of collaborative work involving creating compelling SEO campaigns.

If you’re working as a freelancer, you may be able to choose which areas of SEO you specialize in.

Some of the most common responsibilities of an SEO consultant include the following:

Fixing technical SEO issues: Technical SEO revolves mainly around improving user experience by making changes to a website's structure and performance. You may need to conduct an SEO audit and look for potential website issues that could increase bounce rates.

Performing keyword research: Keywords are one of the most valuable tools in any SEO campaign. As an SEO consultant, you’ll need to perform keyword research and determine which terms they’re likely to search for.

On-page optimization: On-page optimization involves updating the content of website pages to make them more search-friendly. You may be responsible for writing alt tags and descriptions for images, updating URLs to make them search-friendly, or adding keywords to other forms of content. You’ll also need to ensure pages are structured well to improve user experience.

Off-page SEO: Off-page SEO revolves heavily around backlinking and attracting leads from other websites.

An SEO consultant might help a brand find authoritative companies with which to drive customers back to its website. These professionals can also help with PR strategies, guest blogging campaigns, and more.

Monitoring performance: A significant portion of an SEO consultant’s role revolves around monitoring and improving performance effectively. Professionals need to be able to capture information using analytical tools to determine which campaigns are driving the most valuable leads.

SEO Reporting: Many SEO professionals dedicate a lot of time to reporting to help stakeholders and business leaders monitor their performance. They may create reports highlighting a brand's most valuable keywords or provide insights into a website’s bounce rate, click-through rate, and other essential metrics.

How to Become an SEO Consultant

There are various pathways a professional can consider when pursuing an SEO career. Some experts start by earning a degree in a relevant area like marketing and business development. Others build on their understanding of SEO using online courses.

Here are some of the key steps involved in becoming an SEO consultant.

1. Develop a Strong Understanding of SEO

More than anything else, an SEO consultant needs a thorough understanding of Search Engine Optimization and how search engines work.

First, you must study SEO basics and learn about keywords, backlinking, and technical SEO.

Various online courses and programs can guide you through everything you need about search engine algorithms. However, it’s worth noting that the rules of SEO can change rapidly. With this in mind, professionals must stay updated with the latest trends and techniques.

Best SEO consultants consistently expand their knowledge by following industry-related blogs and thought leaders. They might attend SEO conferences and workshops to develop their skills, and some even consider working with a mentor in the SEO space.

2. Gain Hands-On SEO Experience

Experience is one of the core factors employers will look for when searching for an SEO consultant. The more experience you have optimizing websites, blog pages, and other pieces of content, the more likely you’ll be able to get a lucrative job.

A good way to develop your SEO experience is to start your own website or blog, which you can then optimize for the search engines. You can use your website to practice your inbound marketing techniques, backlinking strategies, and technical SEO.

To collect customer reviews and testimonials about your work, you can begin offering your services to friends, family members, and small businesses for a free or relatively low cost.

Consider volunteering for non-profit organizations to build your portfolio and experience. You can also look into internships and part-time positions with digital marketing agencies.

3. Establish Your Personal Brand

Professional personal branding is another crucial point to consider when working on your career as an SEO consultant. Today’s businesses are looking for opportunities to work with thought leaders who are well respected and established in their field.

You can build your brand using the above methods, creating your own website to showcase your knowledge and highlight positive client endorsements. Develop your portfolio with case studies from reputable brands, and look for ways to establish connections through social media and networking.

Networking will significantly increase your chances of finding clients and customers in the SEO landscape. It’s worth visiting networking events and conferences to interact with other digital marketing experts and enhance your skills.

4. Get SEO Certified

While you don’t necessarily need a specific degree to thrive as an SEO consultant, you’ll be more likely to attract the attention of employers with the right SEO certifications. Getting SEO certified means earning a credential from a reputable company like Reliablesoft Academy, which highlights your skills.

There are numerous certifications you can consider. Some focus on all aspects of digital marketing, while others concentrate on more niche subjects, like keyword research or technical SEO.

Not only will certifications make you more attractive to employers, but they’ll also demonstrate your commitment to keeping your skills up-to-date and relevant. During these courses, you can build your knowledge of everything from link building to content creation. Many professionals will earn several credentials throughout their careers.

5. Build a Client Base and Offer Your Services

Many SEO consultants pursue their careers freelance, working with a range of clients from across different industries. If you plan on exploring this avenue, you must dedicate significant time and effort to finding potential clients.

Attending industry events and networking with other professionals through social media and in person will ensure you can reach more customers. As you build your client base, you should focus on generating happy, long-term customers.

Offer customized SEO services and packages that adapt to your customers' needs. Ask the clients you work with to endorse you on LinkedIn and provide social proof through testimonials and reviews. You may even consider creating case studies based on your results.

How Much Do SEO Consultants Make?

The amount you can make as an SEO consultant will vary depending on several factors, including where you live and the services you offer.

In most cases, SEO consultants who work for a marketing agency earn a slightly lower salary than those who are self-employed or work freelance.

If you create your brand and offer freelance services, you can set your rates and take on as many clients as you desire. This can significantly improve your earning potential.

According to Glassdoor, the average salary for an SEO consultant in the US is around $55,857 annually.

However, Salary.com suggests the average income can be much higher, at around $78,864 per year. Once again, the amount you earn will depend on your career strategy.

Is an SEO Consultant a Good Career?

A role as an SEO consultant could be an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in the marketing landscape. SEO remains one of the most valuable channels a business can use to improve its chances of being found online and earning new customers.

However, many companies search for additional support as online marketing becomes more complex.

As an SEO consultant, you can work with various companies across various industries. You can choose between working in-house for a company, joining a digital marketing agency, or branching out independently as a freelance consultant or professional.

As the digital landscape continues to grow, the number of opportunities available to SEO experts constantly expands. The best candidates for this role will:

• Be committed to continually expanding their knowledge of SEO
• Feel comfortable using a range of digital marketing strategies
• Have a passion for analytics, research, and evaluation
• Showcase their skills by continually building their portfolio
• Work comfortably with a range of clients with unique needs
• Be comfortable working with different marketing professionals
• Work on continually expanding their network of potential clients