OVERVIEW
What Is an SEO Manager?
An SEO Manager is a type of digital marketing manager who is responsible for designing and implementing an SEO strategy within an organization. They orchestrate SEO work on strategic, tactical, and operational levels. Their main responsibilities include performing market research, researching relevant keywords, conducting competitive analysis, generating link-building opportunities, performing technical SEO skills, and working with content managers and content marketing teams to create relevant web pages. SEO managers will typically have a leadership role, but they can also work alone as they oversee training new SEO hires and delegate tasks on marketing teams.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does an SEO Manager Do?
While SEO is just one type of digital marketing, a lot goes into optimizing for Google’s algorithm. SEO managers are responsible for a comprehensive suite of tasks ranging from strategy design to problem-solving to monitoring marketing trends. Some of their most important daily responsibilities include:
- Developing and executing successful SEO strategies.
- Managing a team of SEO specialists.
- Conducting keyword research to guide content teams.
- Reviewing technical SEO issues and recommending fixes.
- Optimizing website content, landing pages, and paid search copy.
- Directing off-page optimization projects (e.g. link-building).
- Collecting data and reporting on traffic, rankings, and other SEO aspects.
- Working with social media and pay-per-click (PPC) teams to optimize campaigns.
- Researching and understanding the organic search habits of a target audience.
- Keeping abreast of SEO and integrated marketing trends.
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
How Do I Become an SEO Manager?
There are no formal higher education programs specifically tailored to teaching SEO. However, SEO managers often hold a bachelor’s degree in marketing or a related field. Keep reading to learn the step-by-step instructions for starting your career as an SEO manager.
- Earn a bachelor’s degree in marketing.
- Learn SEO basics like keyword research, on-page optimization, link building, and performance tracking through courses and resources.
- Start using and mastering SEO tools such as Google Analytics, SEMRush, Hubspot, Ahrefs, and others.
- Develop a portfolio of your best SEO work.
- Apply for entry-level SEO roles to gain relevant work experience. SEO specialist or SEO coordinator are examples of entry-level positions.
- Earn a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Science in Management and Leadership (MSML) or a Master of Science in Marketing if your goal is to move into a management position in marketing or business.
Best Degrees for an SEO Manager
Business
Marketing – B.S. Business Administration
For those who want to lead brands and steer consumer markets:...
For those who want to lead brands and steer consumer markets:
- Time: 60% of graduates finish within 19 months.
- Tuition: $3,755 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 41 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program include:
- Communication
- Marketing
- Sales
- Management
- Project Management
- Product Management
Marketing is a creative and exciting field—and one where an undergraduate degree will open better opportunities.
Business
Master of Business Administration
The flexible MBA program you need, focused on business management,...
The flexible MBA program you need, focused on business management, strategy, and leading teams:
- Time: Graduates can finish in 12 months
- Tuition: $4,755 per 6-month term
- Courses: 11 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program include:
- Leadership strategies
- Talent management
- Communication
- Data collection and interpretation
- Financial statements
Our competency-based model gives you an innovative learning experience you won't find anywhere else—and our MBA grads tell us they loved accelerating their program to see a faster ROI.
Business
Marketing – M.S.
Two online marketing master's degree options with a focus on either...
Two online marketing master's degree options with a focus on either digital marketing or marketing analytics.
- Time: 61% of graduates finish WGU master's programs in 18 months
- Tuition: $4,530 per 6-month term
- Courses: 10 total courses in this program
- Specialization: Students choose from two specializations to focus their marketing studies on digital marketing or marketing analytics
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Management
- Strategic Planning
- Digital Marketing Analytics
- Presentations
- Market Research
- Communications
A marketing master's degree will help you prepare for a wide range of exciting marketing careers.
How Much Does an SEO Manager Make?
$77,680
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a median income for advertising, promotions, and marketing managers of $133,380 per year, or $64.12 per hour. In 2021, the lowest 10% earned less than $77,680, and the highest 10% earned more than $208,000. An SEO manager’s salary lands somewhere in this range.
What Is the Projected Job Growth?
10%
According to the BLS, advertising, promotions, and marketing manager jobs are projected to grow by 10% between 2020 and 2030, which is slightly faster than the average profession. This equates to 31,100 job openings per year over the course of the decade. The growth of SEO manager jobs is likely to follow a similar trajectory.
SKILLS
What Skills Does an SEO Manager Need?
In order to become an SEO manager, which is a mid-level role in the world of marketing, you need to hone skills acquired through both education and work experience. Some of the most important skills include:
- Proven experience doing the work of an SEO manager, search engine marketing (SEM) manager, or any similar marketing role.
- Knowledge of standard and current SEO practices.
- Knowledge of HTML/CSS, which are front-end coding languages. These are helpful to know when making edits directly to a website.
- SEO reporting. This skill is necessary to measure the success of marketing efforts, especially in SEO account manager client-facing roles.
- Familiarity with SEO tools such as Ahrefs, Screaming Frog, MOZ and web analytics tools like Google Analytics and WebTrends.
- Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills.
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