Did you know that SEO can drive a 14.6% conversion rate ifdone right? This is the difference that a top SEO expert can create for youronline business. Before we dive deeper into the topic, let’s cover the basicsfirst.
Who is known as an SEO expert?
An SEO expert specializes in using digital analytics andmarketing skills to transform the online presence of any company. In short, heor she is someone who knows how to get more traffic from search engines.
What differentiates best SEO experts from SEO strategists?
The terms ‘SEO experts’ and ‘SEO strategist’ are often usedinterchangeably but are at different levels in their SEO journey in terms ofexperience and learning.
What is an SEO strategist? What does an SEO strategist do?
SEO strategists take a more holistic approach and focus oncreating a comprehensive strategy for improving a website's visibility insearch results, including elements like content marketing, link building, andsocial media. SEO strategists require a broader skill set that includesmarketing, branding, content creation, and project management. SEO strategists takea more goal-oriented approach and work to achieve specific business objectives,such as driving more traffic, generating leads, and increasing conversions.
Who are the best SEO experts?
SEO experts typically have a deep understanding of technicalSEO and are proficient in tools like Google Analytics, Search Console, andkeyword research tools. They may also be skilled in coding languages like HTMLand CSS. Best SEO experts are primarily focused on the technical aspects ofSEO, such as optimizing website architecture, fixing technical issues, andimplementing best practices for on-page and off-page SEO. Best SEO experts arefocused on improving a website's search engine ranking and visibility, oftenthrough technical optimizations.
To sum up, the best SEO expert is a technical specialist,while an SEO strategist takes a more holistic approach to achieving businessobjectives.
Top 10 SEO experts in the world
1. Rand Fishkin – Founder of Moz
Rand Fishkin, the founder of Moz and Co-Founder of SEOmoz,was ranked amongst the 30 Best Young Tech Entrepreneurs Under 30 byBusinessWeek and has been mentioned by New York Times for his achievement inthe world of SEO. Rand has written several books on SEO and digital marketing,including "Art of SEO" and "Lost and Founder." He is also aregular speaker at conferences and events, sharing his insights and experiencewith others in the industry. Rand is known for his innovative approach to SEOand his ability to stay ahead of industry trends and changes. His contributionsto the field have earned him a reputation as the best SEO expert in the worldof digital marketing.
2. Brian Dean – Founder of Backlinko
Brian, the founder of Backlinlo blogs and YouTube channel, iswidely recognized for his expertise in link building and content marketing, andhis techniques have been adopted by many businesses and SEO experts. He isknown for his data-driven approach to SEO and his ability to provide practicaladvice and actionable insights to help businesses improve their search enginerankings. He is also a prolific writer and speaker, with his work beingfeatured in publications such as Forbes, Entrepreneur, and Inc. Magazine. Hisaward-winning blog, Backlinko.com, has been ranked among the top blogs tofollow by Forbes.
3. Neil Patel – Founder of Crazy Egg
Neil Patel is recognized as a digital marketing expert,entrepreneur, and founder of Neil Patel Digital, a full-service digitalmarketing agency. The co-founder of several successful startups, includingCrazy Egg and Kissmetrics, which provide analytics and optimization solutionsfor businesses, Neil Patel, has been featured in publications such as Forbes,Entrepreneur, and The Wall Street Journal for his data-driven approach todigital marketing and his ability to provide practical and actionable advice tobusinesses of all sizes. Neil is also a prolific writer and speaker, sharinghis knowledge and insights through his blog, podcast, and speaking engagementsaround the world. His contributions to the SEO community have earned him areputation as one of the best SEO experts in the industry.
4. Rick Watson - Founder of RMW Commerce Consulting
With over 20 years of experience in e-commerce and digitalmarketing, Rick has established himself as a leader among other Shopify SEOexperts. RMW Commerce Consulting, a leading e-commerce consulting firm thatprovides strategy, development, and optimization services for businesses, wasfounded by him. Rick is known for his innovative approach to e-commerce and hisability to leverage data and technology to drive results. He is also a frequentspeaker at industry events and has written articles on e-commerce and digitalmarketing for various publications. He has been recognized for his ability toidentify and implement search engine algorithms, strategies, and tactics thatsignificantly boost website traffic for industry leaders. He excels at creatingand developing social media content that effectively engages wider audiencesand cultivates strong brand loyalty.
5. Stephan Spencer – Author of Google Power Search
Stephan Spencer doesn’t need any introduction when it comesto Search Engine Optimization, consultant, and speaker. He is the co-author of"The Art of SEO," a comprehensive guide to SEO that has been widelyrecognized as one of the most authoritative and useful books on the subject.
Stephan is the founder of the SEO agency Netconcepts, whichhe built into a successful business that was acquired by Covario in 2010. Helater founded his own consulting company, Stephan Spencer Consulting, whichhelps companies improve their online visibility and increase their websitetraffic.
Stephan is also the creator of the popular SEO trainingcourse, "Science of SEO," which provides in-depth training onadvanced SEO techniques. And as you mentioned in your question, he is theauthor of "Google Power Search," a guide to using Google's searchtools to find information quickly and effectively.
6. Danny Sullivan – Founding Editor of SearchEngine Land
In 2006, Danny founded Search Engine Land, which quicklybecame one of the leading sources of news and analysis on search engines andSEO. The publication covers everything from Google algorithm updates toindustry trends and best practices for SEO.
Danny has also been involved in a number of other venturesrelated to search engines and online marketing. He co-founded the searchmarketing conference series SMX (Search Marketing Expo) and helped launch theinfluential SEO toolset Yoast.
Danny is known for his tireless efforts to educate thepublic and help businesses and individuals navigate the complex world of searchengine optimization. He has won numerous awards for his work, includinginduction into the Internet Hall of Fame in 2018.
7. Joost De Valk – Founder & CEO of Yoast
Joost started his career as a web developer and SEOconsultant in the early 2000s. In 2010, he founded Yoast, which quickly becameone of the most popular SEO plugins for WordPress. The Yoast plugin offers arange of tools to help website owners improve their on-page SEO, includingoptimizing content for specific keywords, analyzing readability, and providingtechnical SEO recommendations.
In addition to his work with Yoast, Joost is a prolificblogger and speaker on the topic of SEO. He has written for numerouspublications, including Forbes, and has spoken at conferences around the world,including MozCon and Pubcon. He is also the author of several books on SEO andWordPress. He won numerous awards as an SEO expert for his work, including theSearch Engine Land Award for Best SEO Software in 2018.
8. Marie Haynes - Leader In Tackling Google'sPenguin Algorithm
Marie started her career as a veterinarian but becameinterested in SEO after experiencing the impact of a Google penalty on her ownwebsite. She began studying the intricacies of link-based penalties and thePenguin algorithm and became one of the leading experts in the field. MarieHaynes is a well-known expert in the field of SEO, with a particular focus onlink-based penalties and Google's Penguin algorithm. She is the founder ofMarie Haynes Consulting, a search engine optimization agency based in Ottawa,Canada. In addition to her consulting work, Marie is a regular speaker atindustry conferences and has written extensively on the topic of SEO. She isthe author of the book "Unnatural Links: The Complete Guide toRecovery," which is considered one of the most authoritative resources onthe subject of link-based penalties.
9. Matt Cuts - Known for SafeSearch, Google'sfamily filter, Webspam Team
Matt joined Google in 2000 as a software engineer and becameheavily involved in the development of Google's search algorithms. He becamehead of the Webspam team in 2004 and played a key role in the development ofGoogle's SafeSearch filter, which helps to block explicit content fromappearing in search results. He developed and implemented numerous algorithmsand policies to help detect and penalize webspam, including the infamous Pandaand Penguin updates.
In addition to his work at Google, Matt is a well-knownblogger and speaker on the topic of SEO. He has spoken at numerous industryconferences and has written extensively on the subject of search engineoptimization. He is currently the administrator of the U.S. Digital Service.
10. BarrySchwartz – founder of Search Engine Roundtable
Barry started his career in the early days of the internet,working for various tech startups. He became interested in search engineoptimization in the late 1990s and began sharing his knowledge and insightsthrough his blog, Search Engine Roundtable.
Search Engine Roundtable quickly became one of the leadingsources of news and analysis in the search engine industry, covering everythingfrom Google algorithm updates to industry trends and best practices for SEO.The website has a large following and is considered a must-read for anyoneinterested in SEO and digital marketing.
In addition to his work with Search Engine Roundtable, Barryis a regular speaker at industry conferences and a frequent contributor topublications such as Search Engine Land and Marketing Land. He is also theco-founder of RustyBrick, a web development and marketing agency based in NewYork.
Frequently asked questions about SEOexperts
1. How to find the best SEO experts?
Finding the best SEO experts can be a challenge, but hereare some tips to help you:
· Look for industry awards and recognition: Manyreputable SEO experts have been recognized for their work with awards fromindustry organizations such as Search Engine Land, Moz, and SEMrush.
· Check their track record: Look for case studiesor testimonials from past clients to see if they have a proven track record ofdelivering results. Also, check their online reputation through reviews onsites like Google, Yelp, and Trustpilot.
· Check their experience and credentials: Look forSEO experts who have extensive experience in the industry and who have relevantcredentials, such as Google certifications or degrees in digital marketing.
2. How much do SEO experts cost?
The cost of hiring an SEO expert can vary widely dependingon several factors, including their level of experience, the scope of theproject, and the location of the expert. Some SEO experts charge hourly rates,which can range from $50 to $500 or more per hour. Others may charge a flat feefor a specific project or a monthly retainer fee for ongoing SEO services.
For smaller businesses or projects, you can expect to payanywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars per month for SEOservices. For larger businesses or more complex projects, the cost may rangefrom $5,000 to $20,000 or more per month.
3. How many top keywords do SEO experts target?
In general, an SEO expert will target a mix of short-tailand long-tail keywords which are relevant to the business's products orservices and have a high search volume. The number of keywords targeted willdepend on the size and complexity of the website, the level of competition inthe industry, and the budget for SEO services.
Some SEO experts may focus on a smaller number ofhigh-impact keywords that have the potential to drive significant traffic andrevenue, while others may target a larger number of keywords to capture a widerrange of search queries.