Web Optimization Specialists ensure that websites rank high on search engines by researching keywords, creating links, and paying attention to website structure. SEO is an essential aspect of digital marketing, and people are well-paid for these skills.
The Role of a Web Optimization Specialist
A Web Optimization Specialist is in charge of improving website performance on search engine results pages (SERPs). Also called SEO Specialists, Web Optimization Specialists keep an eye on technical SEO, on-page SEO, and off-page SEO. Technical SEO is the collection of behind-the-scenes features that affect how a website performs. These include a clear and easy-to-use website structure, speed, mobile-friendliness, the XML sitemap, and navigation.
On-page optimization includes the content strategy for a website. The SEO Specialist makes sure the website content includes the best keywords so search engines match them to relevant searches. On-page content is essential and refers to everything on a website, including text, keywords, images, tags, and internal links. The key strategy for on-page optimization is meeting the intent of the searcher/user with high-quality content. SEO shows that a website is trustworthy and demonstrates expertise and authority.
Web Optimization Specialists also take care of off-page SEO. This refers to elements like backlinks and social media accounts that aren’t on the site but can help build authority and trust with search engines. Link building refers to finding reputable and relevant websites to link to your website or content. The more references to your site or content on other sources (especially reliable ones), the better. Google uses good-quality, trustworthy references as a sign of a website’s authority and trustworthiness.
How Much Do Web Optimization Specialists Earn?
The website Glassdoor.com reports a median annual base salary of $57,260 with additional benefits of $11,532 for a Web Optimization Specialist. This data comes from voluntary responses to a survey on salaries. This represents SEO Specialists at all experience levels and ranges between $31,000 and $159,000 a year.
Years of Experience
As with most jobs, your earnings go up as your experience increases. The base salary of $57,260 is the median of all the salaries reported for all years of experience. The median annual base salary for Web Optimization Specialists with 0-1 years of experience is $57,215, $62,027 for 1-3 years, and $71,744 for 4-6 years. These figures are based on voluntary reporting and no further data is available.
Company Size
The size of the company you work for also affects salaries. In general, bigger firms can afford to pay higher salaries. Working for a large company can also provide more job security. That being said, working for a small startup can be exciting and sometimes works out to be very lucrative if the product becomes a big seller.
Location
Because digital marketing happens on the internet, jobs and salaries are not as dependent upon location as for traditional marketing. Indeed.com lists the highest paying cities for Web Optimization Specialists as New York, New York at $80,611, Reston, Virginia at $80, 516, Chicago, Illinois at $75,405, Denver, Colorado at $73,913, and Atlanta, Georgia at $73,094.
Career Paths for Web Optimization Specialists
As a Web Optimization Specialist, there are several career paths you can follow depending upon your interests. SEO Specialists in small firms often perform more tasks than those in larger companies. An entry-level Web Optimization Specialist might be responsible for following how content is performing on various channels or keeping an eye on web analytics. They interpret the data and report it to the marketing team, and they have input into the decisions made about changing strategies and setting goals.
As your career progresses, you might choose to focus on a specific niche in SEO, such as finance, publishing, health care, or other industries. As you gain experience over the years, you can become a Senior Web Optimization Specialist, or you may choose to move into a managerial or leadership position. Some people with significant SEO experience start their consulting firm and contract their services out to companies that don’t have their own Web Optimization Specialists.
Web Optimization Specialist Job Prospects
All businesses with an online presence need SEO to enhance their virtual reach. There are plenty of careers across the country for those with a background in SEO. The US Bureau of Labor and Statistics doesn’t list Web Optimization Specialists separate from Marketing Analysts. That field is expected to grow by 22% in the next ten years, which is a much higher level of growth than in most fields.
Learning Digital Marketing
If you want to change careers and become a Web Optimization Specialist, you could go to college or you could sign up for a digital marketing bootcamp. For example, Noble Desktop’s Digital Marketing Strategies Bootcamp covers the role of digital marketing in today’s business landscape, as well as how to design successful email campaigns, optimize websites and landing pages for conversions, and create content to drive traffic to your or your company’s website by engaging your audience. SEO Bootcamp will teach you how search engines work, how to do keyword research and competitor analysis, and how to use SEO-driven content to increase web traffic. You can also sign up for a Google Analytics Bootcamp to learn how to set up an account, know which metrics to track, and understand the Google Analytics reports. Each bootcamp includes 12 hours of instruction and costs $650.
A digital marketing certificate course is another way to prepare for a career as a Web Optimizations Specialist. Noble’s Digital Marketing Certificate includes the digital marketing, SEO, and Google Analytics bootcamps, plus Google Ads and classes on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok, and Twitter marketing, as well as content marketing with blogs. You can choose classes that meet in-person or online. Some people prefer to attend brick-and-mortar sessions when learning new information, but that isn’t always available. Live online classes have a similar set-up with a real-time, remote instructor who can answer questions and take control of your monitor—with permission—to show you how to do things. Training is part or full-time and available weekdays, weeknights, or weekends.
It takes 78 hours of instruction to complete a digital marketing certificate through Noble Desktop, and the tuition is $3,295. An installment plan and loans are available. You can choose between full or part-time classes and classes that meet during the day, evening, or on weekends. When you finish the course, you will receive a verified digital certificate of completion recognized by the New York State Department of Education that you can download or post on your LinkedIn profile. This type of certification can help you get a job down the road.
Conclusion
If you want to learn more about digital marketing careers, check out Noble Desktop’s Digital Marketing Certificate or Social Media Marketing Certificate. Choose between in-person sessions in NYC at Noble’s location or sign up for live online courses and attend from anywhere. Use Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me to find other courses in digital marketing in your area.