SE(ri)Ously: Everything you need to know about becoming a bad-ass SEO Manager in Switzerland

This job series is part of all Marketing jobs in Switzerland series, check our other focus on the blog

Why becoming an SEO Manager?

In SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, your job is to improve the visibility and ranking of a website on search engine results pages like Google, Ecosia, Bing, Mozilla Firefox, etc.

This is crucial, because higher visibility in search results increases a website's likelihood of attracting attention and organic traffic from potential and existing customers, thus enhancing its online presence and visibility. 

Fun fact, you may have found this page through a search request in your trusted search engine. Very meta, we know...

What to expect in SEO Management?

You want to know more, right? In comparison to other marketing jobs, the role of an SEO Manager involves a deep understanding of both the technical and content aspects of a website, along with how search engines rank pages. So, this is what to expect:

1. Strategy Development: Crafting long-term SEO strategies, identifying target keywords, understanding audience search behaviours, and setting measurable objectives.
2. On-Page Optimization: Enhancing individual web pages for higher rankings through quality content, keyword usage, meta tags optimization, and search-friendly URL structures.
3. Technical SEO: Ensuring the website's technical health by improving site speed, mobile-friendliness, implementing Schema markup, and resolving crawl errors using tools like Google Search Console.
4. Content Strategy and Development: Collaborating with content teams to produce SEO-aligned content, conducting keyword research, and content mapping.
5. Link Building: Executing strategies to acquire high-quality backlinks, crucial for search rankings.
6. Analytics and Reporting: Analyzing key metrics like organic traffic and bounce rate using tools like Google Analytics.
7. Staying Updated with SEO Trends: Keeping up with the latest developments in search algorithms, best practices, and emerging technologies such as voice search and AI.
8. Collaboration and Communication: Working with marketing, web development, and design teams to integrate SEO across digital platforms.
9. User Experience (UX) Optimization: Focusing on enhancing the website's user engagement and conversion rates, acknowledging that effective SEO also improves user experience.

What are the myths about SEO Managers?

Buckle up, because we have some gems for you:

1. SEO is a One-Time Task: Many people believe that once a website is optimized for search engines, the job of an SEO manager is done (haha, we wish...). This is a bigger myth than Santa being real. SEO is an ongoing process that requires constant monitoring, tweaking, and updating to keep up with the ever-changing algorithms of search engines.

2. SEO is All About Keywords: While keywords are an important aspect of SEO, they are not the only factor. An SEO manager also needs to focus on other elements such as site architecture, user experience, link building, and content quality. 

3. SEO Results are Instant: Another common myth is that SEO results can be seen immediately. In reality, it can take months to see significant changes in search engine rankings. An SEO manager's job requires patience and persistence. 

4. SEO is Just About Ranking: Many people think that the job of an SEO manager is just to get a website to rank high on search engine results pages. However, SEO is also about improving the overall visibility and usability of a website, driving quality traffic, and increasing conversion rates.

What are the competencies required for an SEO professional?

1. Strong understanding of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) techniques and strategies (obviously, we know). 

2. Proficiency in keyword research and analysis. 

3. Ability to develop and implement effective SEO campaigns. 

4. Knowledge of web analytics tools and the ability to analyze performance data. 

5. Familiarity with content management systems and SEO tools. 

6. Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to identify and resolve website issues that could affect SEO ranking. 

7. Strong understanding of web design and development principles that affect SEO. 

8. Ability to stay up-to-date with the latest SEO trends and algorithm updates. 

What is the future of SEO management?

We are going to be a little bit conservative here. We diagnosed several evolving trends and technological advancements:

1. Voice Search Optimization: With the rise of digital assistants like Alexa and Siri, optimizing for voice search is becoming crucial. This means focusing on more natural language and question-based queries.
2. Mobile-First Indexing: As mobile internet usage surpasses desktop, SEO strategies will increasingly prioritize mobile-friendly, responsive website design and content.
3. User Experience (UX) and Search Intent: Search engines are placing greater emphasis on user experience. SEO managers will need to focus on creating content that aligns with user intent and provides a seamless and engaging user journey.
4. Local SEO: For businesses targeting local customers, local SEO will continue to be crucial. This includes optimizing for local search queries and listings in directories like Google My Business.
5. Increased Focus on E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness): Google's emphasis on content quality means that SEO strategies will need to prioritize credible, well-researched, and authoritative content.
6. Integration with Other Digital Marketing Channels: SEO will become even more integrated with other aspects of digital marketing, such as social media and content marketing, to create a cohesive online presence.
7. Sustainability and Ethical Practices: With increasing awareness about digital sustainability and ethics, SEO strategies might need to consider ethical practices and sustainable digital footprints.
8. Continuous Algorithm Updates: SEO managers will need to stay informed and quickly adapt to continuous updates and changes in search engine algorithms.

Just to name a few...

How to find the best SEO Manager job that suits you?

Let us save you some time and share this truthbomb with you: SEO is not relevant for every company... 

Huh? What do we mean by that? There are tons of company operating online without SEO, mostly relying on buying media. So, look for companies that value SEO and have a strong online presence. These companies are more likely to have junior SEO Manager positions available. Also, look up agencies that offer SEO services and have open positions.

Utilize job search platforms and use keywords like "Junior SEO Manager," "SEO Specialist," or "SEO Analyst" to find relevant job postings.

‍ProTip: SEO management has been around for some time, so it's important to stand out to be considered. There are two ways to stand out: 

1) have an experience that speaks for itself. 

2) if you likely don't have the experience yet, because you are a junior in the field, make your application stand out through video. This way, recruiters will get a glimpse of your personality (people interact with people), and you will be the exception among otherwise black-on-white CV letters. How to do this easily and smoothly, check out what we are doing at moonwork.ch.

And as always, remember, landing the best junior position as an SEO Manager requires patience and persistence. Keep learning, stay updated