Who is a good SEO? How to be one.

SEOs are frowned upon. Admit it.

Though Search Engine Optimization is a reputed profession, many a times, SEOs are seen as trouble makers, sometimes even within organizations. Not trying to generalize,but some of it is based on my personal observations, and some from the industry.

Obviously, SEOs are entirely responsible for this. Engaging in black hat practices, being adamant about “rules” when you don’t have any, not being able to deliver results on time are all possible factors to this. Let’s try to find out who a good SEO is?

Don’t try to make everyone happy.

First off, understand that people have different perceptions of SEO and it is impossible to make everyone happy, especially when everybody claims to be knowing SEO. SEO is easy to learn, there isn’t much to actually, but in my opinion, experience is what matters. So, you’d get SEO tips from everyone and many around you, even within your organization might be knowledgable in SEO. Accept it and take responsibility. Do not try to make everyone happy by promising the undeliverable.

Say No when you have to.

Many a times, I’ve come across SEOs for whom everything is possible. Number one? Sure. Double Traffic, sure. Wait a minute. When you’re being asked these deliverables, people don’t expect a 100% result. That isn’t how professionals see things. Before even giving an honest answer, you got to evaluate your options, resources etc. So, don’t just go around saying yes to everything when you know its not possible. Don’t give that guarantee ever, everybody knows its impossible in SEO.

Think like a Googler.

To be a good SEO, put on your Googler hats. What if you were the guy searching for your “targeted keyword”. Would you really be happy seeing your website pop up first? If not, that’s where you need to focus. Think about making your website a better one and not getting it up on Google.

Be honest.

Very important. From my experience, I’ve had times when I had to admit that certain things were’t possible because the website I was working on was not making any progress quality wise and simply couldn’t do it. The money promised might be good, but then again, if you know that the effort is not worth it, tell it out right. Many a times, you’d be surprised to see how people (clients) will appreciate you for the honesty.

Build a reputation, a strong one.

If there’s anything you can lose easily, its your reputation. Engaging in the wrong projects, wrong people and wrong methods might give you good money, but will not win you credibility. Even within organizations, be the sensible guy who can see things as they are and help teams.

Work together with other teams.

sometimes, SEOs don’t get along with other departments like designers for silly matters. You request a change to the page title, which goes in the queue and doesn’t get done in weeks. Its easy to get frustrated and lose your cool. Don’t. Please understand that SEOs cannot single handedly make a good website, there are several other elements involved and one got to prioritize things to make a good site. So, work together with other teams to make a good website, in the first place.

Just my two cents there. Some of the points mentioned above were out of experience and some from what I’ve seen happen to others around me. I hope at least some of it makes sense.