Top of the list for business success

TOPPING the list in internet searches is vital to a business’s success, so the search engine optimisation (SEO) specialists who help companies to do this are in demand.

‘SEO vacancies grew six times faster than the wider job market in 2018,’ says Ann Swain, the chief executive of The Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo).

Rob Marsden, head of SEO at digital marketing agency Search Laboratory in Leeds, says: ‘ While I was an account manager in the printing industry, I did some freelance web design and clients asked me how their websites could rank higher in Google searches.

‘I looked at ways to optimise a website to drive more traffic and revenue, by reading blogs and books and watching videos.’

Rob joined Search Laboratory as an SEO account manager in October 2011 and now manages a team of 45.

And it’s not just about including key words that rewarding role: rob search engines look for when determining rankings. Rob says: ‘We also report to clients about which pages, words and products drive most revenue with organic search.

‘It’s rewarding helping our clients to grow their businesses.’

Holly Simpson, senior manager at Sphere Digital Recruitment, says: ‘Employers look for people who can use SEO tools such as Google Analytics, Majestic and Moz.’

Pay starts at around £26,000, but can rise to £45,000 in three years.