Learning everything related to SEO is easy in 2020. If you are a beginner in this environment, you might want to start by simply typing in something like, “How to learn SEO?” and looking at some of the resources out there that fit your needs.
At Profitworks, we are a team of marketing specialists. Each member of our team specializes in one specific subset of marketing or search engine optimization, which enables them to gain a deep level of expertise within that singular focus area. Then when all of the team members, with their areas of expertise, are combined with each other, it results in an extremely skilled and knowledgeable team.
Not sure what to pick from so many options? Let's assess some pointers to consider.
How to Learn SEO: The Easiest Way to Learn Search Engine Optimization
"How to learn SEO?"
You will get the most widely used guides listed at the top of the search - try those first. Google wants users to have the best experience, so the top results are the ones considered authoritative in their niche.
Pick one that starts with the question, “What is SEO?”. You don’t want to go to a guide that assumes you already know your thing - they will assume a lot of other stuff too.
Don’t expect to learn everything about SEO in one sitting. Pick one short article that gives you the basics first. Read it twice (or more) until you feel comfortable with its content. You want to lay a solid foundation before building up.
Also, you should learn the history of search engines or the history of Google. Why? Because you need to know what is a search engine’s business model and why they do what they do. For example:
- Why do they go to such lengths in deciding which site to put first on the search results page?
- How do they make money?
- Is there any other objective besides making money?
- What does the future of search look like?
Don’t expect to learn everything about SEO in one sitting. The elements are always changing.
How to Learn SEO - Still Have Some Concerns?
At this point, you probably have some concerns that you feel might set you back. Let’s try to tackle them.
Learning Time:
"Is it going to be years before I learn everything there is to know?"
The time between getting started and being ready to go will ultimately depend on your time invested. Some of the most respected gurus out there took less than a year to start really getting it.
Here’s the thing about SEO: it is ever-changing, so whatever was valid ten, five, or even two years ago, might not be relevant today. So, if there is a question of the time it takes to master SEO, the answer would be “all the time.” SEO experts like those at Profitworks can relieve you of the burden of keeping up on SEO techniques! Here's a checklist to help you get a sense of what you're in for and how we can help.
Information Overload:
"There is so much information. Will I ever make it to the end of it? Where do I even start?"
As stated above, you will never stop learning about this industry as new trends come and go. Not to mention that search engines are constantly updating their algorithms. Simply put, there is no “end" to it. Get started with the question: “What is SEO?” and continue learning at your own pace.
Technophobia:
"Is there any complicated technical stuff that I need to learn?"
There definitely is, but it can be altogether fun. You must get excited about learning new stuff if you want to stay at the top of your game.
Don't worry though - You will feel so proud of yourself when you look down at where you were months ago.
Hat Colour:
"What hat colour tactics should I wear? Black? Grey? White? What is all this hat colour stuff anyway?"
The concepts of “black hat”, or “white hat”, or “whatever colour hat” are widely accepted ways of describing ethical and unethical SEO practices and techniques. Today, black hat practices, for instance, refer to those that SEO experts use to try and trick the system or the algorithm.
This is basically like trying to arrive at a place using “shortcuts” that while not always illegal, are downright unethical.
When referring to SEO practices, it means that you are trying to make Google believe that your website will give your visitors the prime experience they deserve when quite the opposite is true. You risk getting caught and sanctioned.
Bottom line: be authentic and be real when creating content.
Different resources with different and even opposing tips:
"Who should I trust when it comes to contradictory opinions from the so-called experts?"
This is one of those things that you will grow into by yourself. Go through as much as you can trying to make sense of everything. Circumstances and conditions vary so much that what works for this particular site might not work for another.
Education:
"Do I need to get some formal education to consider myself an SEO expert? Should I buy courses from gurus and spend thousands of dollars?"
You have to find the right training, get your hands in the dough, stay up to date with changes, and demonstrate your SEO expertise.
SEO is not taught in college and it probably never will be. Why? Essentially because by the time you complete your degree, the rules of SEO have changed completely, rendering it obsolete. Most of the experts you meet either taught themselves or simply “fell” into the industry.
SEO is changing all the time. Google is updating its algorithms almost every day, which forces SEO experts to adapt and make changes to their tactics. So, this is in an ever-learning process where nobody truly has all the answers. If you quickly adapt and are always willing to test and learn, you are good to go. The fundamentals do stay the same, so it is still good to go learn those.
Google frequently updates SEO factors.
How to learn SEO: Differences between Free and Paid
This market is still an infant, and colleges are not offering any formal SEO education. Most of what we know comes from trial and error, and the majority of SEO experts are self-taught. Luckily for you, everything there is to know is available online and through applications, so you don’t need a degree or college education in SEO to access that knowledge.
Everything there is to know is available for free online. This fact then begs the question: why would anyone pay for it? You will eventually run into “SEO gurus” offering courses for some serious amount of money. Is it necessary to pay for these courses? No, not really. However, they will save a lot of time, which is something you should consider.
If you decide to go free, you will probably wind up aimlessly bouncing from one resource to another. You might end up out of focus and without a defined path or goal. Paid online courses put everything in a well-structured bundle in one place to help you stay focused.
Make sure you sign up for a reputable SEO course. One way to decide on this is to look for an SEO expert that actually practices SEO for a living and gets results and not one who only makes SEO courses for a living.
Here's why it's important to work with a company that's proficient in SEO techniques.
How to learn SEO - Topics to look for:
Besides the “What is SEO?” topic, there are other titles that are practically a must in any course or guide. Make sure that, if not all, most of these are present:
- Fundamentals of SEO
- On-Page SEO
- Technical SEO
- Local SEO
- Links and link building
- Keywords and keyword research
- Content promotion
The easiest way to learn SEO is by taking in what experts that have walked this path for years have to say. All of these SEO gurus are in constant competition and updating what to offer viewers.
About the author:
Devin Schumacher is an internet entrepreneur, digital marketing consultant & search engine optimization (SEO) expert & Founder of SERP Co - a digital marketing agency that helps businesses grow using the internet.
How to learn SEO? Rely on Profitworks!
Profitworks Small Business Services provides website traffic and website conversion optimization services to increase the number of sales generated from a website. The focus of our services is on increasing sales and providing a positive return on investment!
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