Any business or industry with a website uses search engine optimization (SEO), but some industries are more connected to the practice than others. Industries that depend on local customers benefit the most from using SEO, although companies with a national audience do as well. An essential aspect of receiving professional SEO training to set yourself up for a career change is learning what fields and industries that training will help you find work in. Each industry will have different requirements and expectations for prospective employees, and you should consider these expectations when you start your training. This is true for students who have an idea of what kind of work they want to do and those who aren’t yet sure what path to take after learning SEO skills.

What is SEO?

Search engine optimization (SEO), is a way to increase website traffic and sales. SEO depends upon content, technical website optimization, link building, and keyword research to improve ranking on a Google results page. Professionals who work with SEO are called Website Optimization Specialists. One of the keys to SEO is building trust between your business and your user through high-quality content, making sure your website loads quickly, is easy to navigate and is optimized for new developments like voice search. 

Read more about what SEO is and why you should learn it. 

What Can You Do with SEO Skills?

SEO is used to determine search engine success in three important ways: technical SEO, on-page SEO, and off-page SEO. Technical SEO looks at the technical features of a website and how they affect search engine rankings. On-Page SEO means meeting the user’s needs with high-quality content. Off-page SEO involves building links and strengthening social media engagement. Additionally, building out social media presence across a variety of channels will further establish your internet presence and boost your SEO, and you can use different analytical tools to track SEO and conversion rates.

Common Industries That Use SEO

Industries that can benefit from SEO fall into two categories: brick-and-mortar businesses that need to attract local customers and ecommerce businesses building interest in their products or services. Local businesses can attract more customers by signing up for a Google My Business account for their premises. When users search for businesses near them, Google My Business lists member businesses on the search page. ecommerce businesses use SEO to identify the users most likely to buy their products and employ long tail keyword phrases to attract those users. Here are some industries that use SEO.

Healthcare Providers

Businesses that provide healthcare to clients help them to live healthier and more fulfilling lives. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that healthcare occupations are expected to grow by 13 percent during the next decade, much faster than the national average for all professions. This reflects nearly two million expected job openings yearly for the next ten years.

The median wage for healthcare professionals such as nurses, doctors, and dentists is $75,040 annually. The median annual salary for healthcare workers like home health aids, therapy assistants, and medical transcriptionists is $29,880. Some occupations that are included in healthcare are as follows:

• Physicians
• Nurses
• Audiologists
• Athletic Trainers
• Dentists and Hygienists
• Clinical Technicians
• Radiology Technicians

Restaurants, Bars, and Entertainment Venues

Jobs in the hospitality industry, like restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues, are expected to grow by 9 percent faster than average in the next decade. Nearly one million job openings a year are projected for hospitality workers for the next ten years. People who work as food servers, bartenders, bus people, and cooks don’t need specialized education and often work part-time. The industry has a high turnover rate as many people use these jobs to support themselves while going to school or working on building another career.

The median annual wage for food and beverage service workers is $25,980 or $12.49 an hour. Many of these workers also earn tips. Some examples of businesses in this industry include:

• Restaurants
• Bars
• Caterers
• Bakeries
• Coffee shops
• Music venues

Real Estate

People working in the real estate industry help their clients purchase, sell, and rent houses, apartments, and condos. The industry is expected to grow nationwide by 5 percent in the next decade, although markets are stronger in some parts of the country than others. This growth rate is equal to the national average and reflects around 55,000 job openings. 

Real estate agents need a high school diploma and to take a state licensing exam. The median annual wage for real estate agents is $48,340 and $62,010 for real estate brokers. Businesses in this industry include:

• Real estate agents
• Real estate brokers
• Rental management companies

Legal Services

Lawyers represent clients in criminal and civil court proceedings, create legal documents, and give advice. Some specialize in areas like real estate or family law, while others have broader practices. Attorneys must attend law school and pass the state bar exam before practicing. The mean annual wage for attorneys is $150,130. In 2021, there were over 600,000 attorneys in the United States, with most of them working in legal services and others employed in federal, state, and local government. 

Legal support staff like Paralegals and Legal Assistants work for Attorneys by preparing documents and conducting research. These professionals need at least a high school diploma and to complete a training program, although many have bachelor's degrees. The mean annual wage for Paralegals and Legal Assistants is $58,330.

Professional Services

Many businesses provide professional services, but the most common are Financial Advisors, Accountants, and Bookkeepers. These professionals advise and help clients manage their money and plan for retirement. Financial Advisors need at least a bachelor’s degree, and many have a master’s. The field is expected to grow by 15 percent by 2031, with around 30,000 job openings. The median annual wage for Financial Advisors is $94,170.

Accountants and auditors prepare and examine the financial records of clients. They need a bachelor’s degree and to pass an exam to become a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA). The job outlook projects 6 percent growth with 136,400 job openings over the next ten years. The median yearly wage is $77,250.

Bookkeepers check financial records to make sure they are accurate. Bookkeepers need some training beyond high school but often learn on the job. The job outlook projects a 5 percent decline over the next decade. The median pay for Bookkeepers is $45,560 per year.

Salons and Spas

Barbers, Hair Stylists, and Cosmetologists style and cut hair. They can also provide manicures, pedicures, and skin care. Cosmetologists, Barbers, and Hair Stylists must attend a special training program and pass a licensure test. The field is expected to grow by 11 percent in the next ten years, much faster than the national average. The median annual wage for Hair Stylists, Cosmetologists, and Barbers is $29,680. Some businesses that fall into this category are:

• Barber shops
• Hair salons
• Nail salons
• Beauty supply stores
• Spas

Pet Care Businesses

Pet-related businesses provide health care and grooming for dogs, cats, and other pets. Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians treat sick animals, perform surgery, and provide preventative care. Vets need a degree from an accredited veterinary college and a state license. The field is predicted to grow 19 percent during the next decade, with almost 5,000 job openings expected. Vets earn a median yearly wage of $100,370, and Vet Techs earn $36,850 per year.

Pet Groomers are another group involved in pet care. They bathe and groom dogs and cats, clean teeth and ears, and trim nails. Animal Care Workers are employed by kennels, stables, zoos, pet stores, shelters, and aquariums, and these jobs are expected to grow much faster than average at 29 percent. Animal Care Workers earn a median salary of $28,730 annually.

Contractors and Home Repair Companies

Contractors and home repair companies build and repair commercial buildings, houses, and apartments. Jobs in this field are expected to grow by 4 percent, which is an average amount of growth, creating over 700,000 openings in the next ten years. The median annual wage is $48,210. Some jobs in this field include:

• Carpenters
• Drywall Installers
• Electricians
• Flooring and Tile Installers
• Insulation Workers
• Masons
• Painters
• Roofers
• Solar Installers

ecommerce Businesses

A large or small business with a web store is an ecommerce business. SEO is vital to these businesses and is how to build a successful store. SEO uses techniques like adding long-tail keywords to product description pages, providing high-quality content to customers, and getting backlinks from relevant websites to build trust and authenticity. These techniques help ecommerce businesses rank higher on organic, unpaid searches.

Learn SEO Skills with Noble Desktop

To change careers and become a Web Optimization/SEO Specialist, sign up for one of Noble Desktop’s bootcamp or certificate courses. SEO Bootcamp will teach you SEO strategies to get your website to the top of the page. In Google Analytics Bootcamp, learn how to set up an account, know which metrics to track, and understand the Google Analytics reports. Noble’s Digital Marketing Certificate includes digital marketing, SEO, and Google Analytics bootcamps, plus Google Ads and social media and content marketing classes. Use Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me to find other courses in digital marketing in your area.

Key Takeaways

• SEO is a set of techniques for increasing website traffic and sales based on content, website optimization, link building, and keyword research.
• Some industries and professions that can benefit from SEO include these:
• Healthcare 
• Restaurant, bar, and entertainment venues
• Real estate
• Legal services
• Salons and spas
• Pet care businesses
• Contractors and home repair
• ecommerce businesses
• Get comprehensive SEO training through Noble Desktop, either in-person or online.