How to Become
an SEO Manager

Internet marketing is one of the most important fields today. Television, mailing, and newspaper advertising are being replaced. With the growth of the Internet and the rising importance of business websites, search engines have become topics of interest. Search engine optimization, or SEO, is the process of helping your website rank high on searches.

If you’re looking into how to become an SEO manager, read our comprehensive guide. We explore essential skills, educational pathways, and the future job outlook. You can become an SEO manager in just a few months.

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An SEO manager is a tech professional who is in charge of helping a website rank high on a web search. The top searches on Google are the result of good SEO implementation. High-ranking pages get the most traffic and therefore the most customers. SEO managers conduct market research and design websites to improve a company’s SEO strategies.

You can become an SEO manager by taking several educational pathways. You can get a traditional degree or try learning on your own. You should choose the path that best suits your needs. Below are three popular education pathways to becoming an SEO manager.

Many companies prefer an SEO manager with at least a bachelor’s degree. Although there aren’t specific SEO majors, you can get a bachelor’s degree in computer science, business administration, marketing, or even information technology. These degrees give you the analytical, business, and tech background needed for the position.

Just like the bachelor’s degree, there are no SEO specialist master’s degree options. You can get a master’s in digital marketing, digital business, or digital communication to be eligible for senior SEO manager roles.

You can also attend a coding bootcamp to become an SEO manager. Coding bootcamps are worth it for anyone looking for short-term intensive training. They also offer career services like resume writing, interview prep, and career fairs. To become an SEO manager, you should find bootcamps that focus on digital marketing.

Coding bootcamps are a fantastic alternative to four years of college education. They are cheaper, shorter, and up to date. UC Berkeley Boot Camps and Thinkful are among some of the most popular digital marketing bootcamps.

If you don’t want to spend money on a degree or bootcamp, teaching yourself is a plausible way to become an SEO manager. Tons of online platforms offer free and affordable courses on SEO and digital marketing. You can also take a course if you have a degree and want to update your skills.

Popular platforms include edX, Udemy, Coursera, and LinkedIn Learning. Depending on your expertise level, you can enroll in the course that suits you most. Bear in mind that taking courses won’t make you an SEO manager. You must build an impressive portfolio and gain relevant experience to enter the field.

There are several mandatory steps you must take to become an SEO manager. You can follow whatever path you like as long as you hit these milestones.

As digital marketing and online content continue to grow across every industry, so does the demand for SEO managers. According to PayScale, the average base salary for SEO managers is close to $71,000 in the United States. This salary amount is subject to change depending on your experience, company, and location.

There are no official statistics on the job outlook for SEO managers. However, the field continues to grow along with digital marketing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for advertising, promotions, and marketing managers looks promising, with the number of jobs projected to increase by six percent between 2019 to 2029.

Entry-level SEO manager job requirements vary according to the company. Most companies look for applicants with a bachelor’s degree in digital marketing or something similar.

However, this does not mean that you can’t apply for the position with MOOC and coding bootcamp certificates. With experience, you can build an impressive portfolio and gain SEO experience to be eligible for an entry-level position.

According to Ziprecruiter, most entry-level SEO salaries range between $33,500 to $45,000. These numbers are also prone to change depending on your background and location.

The first thing to do while applying for an SEO manager job is to check if you meet the job requirements. According to what the position is looking for, you should highlight your most desirable skills. Get ready for the job hunt and practice common SEO interview questions with a friend.

Below are some popular SEO manager job interview questions. You can use them as a guide to get started on your interview prep.

• Why is search engine optimization important right now?
• How do you measure the overall SEO performance?
• Have you worked with Google Analytics? Provide an example.
• How do you manage and analyze large amounts of data?
• What are your methods for conducting market and competitor research?

Getting SEO certified is a fantastic way to boost your resume. Not only does it help you stand out, but it proves that you have kept up with the industry. SEO management does not have any official professional certifications, but you can enroll in a certificate program.

If you are looking to level up your SEO skills and enter the industry with a strong background, SEO manager certificate programs might be for you.

If you know anything about SEO, you know the importance of Google Analytics. This is a certificate that every SEO expert should have. The program is free and covers how to use Google Analytics to measure and track key SEO data. The program has an exam at the end and you will receive your certificate if you pass.

If you are looking to learn advanced SEO techniques from an industry expert, then this course is for you. It is taught by Tommy Griffith, who previously worked as an SEO manager for Airbnb and PayPal. The course is priced at $997 and you get a certificate upon completion.

This course is offered by Udemy for free. It provides in-depth SEO technical training and teaches you SEO for WordPress. The course is currently priced at $12.99, which is subject to change. It includes 10 hours of video instruction, and you can get a certificate when you finish.

Becoming an SEO manager can take a few years, depending on your educational pathway. The shortest route to become an SEO manager is via a coding bootcamp or online courses. These programs can range anywhere between a couple of weeks to a couple of months. However, you still need to get work experience before becoming a manager.

If you are looking to start a career in tech, then you should become an SEO manager. This job brings a ton of flexibility because you can work in the industry of your choosing. If you have good digital marketing, communication, and tech skills, this career might be right for you.

In addition, the freelance sector for SEO specialists is booming. If you want to work for yourself, this career is a good place to do it. It is also a great option for anyone who is looking for a constantly evolving field. With the right courses and practice, you can become an SEO manager in 2021.