Hey everyone,
I run a small business and unfortunately got burned by a couple of so-called SEO specialists. I’m ready to give it another shot, but this time I want to actually know what I’m doing. Where’s the best place to start learning SEO? I checked out Semrush but it just feels like random videos without much direction. Any recommendations? Thanks!
Honestly, just load up on info.
Look around this forum – there are tons of posts about what to watch out for. I’ve got my own list of things to check and questions to ask when hiring someone. A lot of new SEO consultants think ranking a page is all there is to it, but there’s more to the game.
Can they rank their own site? If their site doesn’t even rank well, that’s a red flag. Anyone can say ‘I’m too busy to work on my own SEO’ – don’t buy it. If they can’t do it for themselves, they probably can’t for you.
Avoid long contracts. A solid SEO person should be confident enough to work month to month. 30-day contracts max. If they know what they’re doing, they’ll keep you through results, not paperwork.
Keyword research matters. Target high-intent, high-cost-per-click keywords. PPC managers pay for them because they convert. That’s the sweet spot for SEO too.
Reports should make sense. If the reports are too long or complicated, they’re useless. Focus on traffic growth, leads, and SERP progress.
Look for the right fit for your business – local SEO, ecommerce, whatever applies. And don’t be afraid to ask for references.
@johndither
Couldn’t agree more. Solid advice.
@johndither
Appreciate it! Makes total sense.
Elijah said:
@johndither
Appreciate it! Makes total sense.
No problem. If you need more, Google ‘Free SEO Monthly Report Template’ – that should give you a solid idea of the kind of KPIs to look at.
Depends on the type of business you run.
If you’re a local business, BrightLocal Academy is worth checking out. SEMrush Academy is good too. Also, tons of courses on LinkedIn and Udemy.
For ongoing stuff, follow Search Engine Journal, Search Engine Land, and Google’s Webmaster Blog. Google’s SEO Starter Guide is a great intro.
@Cairo
Thank you! Yep, local business in NYC.
Check out Matt Diggity’s videos. Not him, just a fan – learned a lot from his stuff.
Learningseo.io is a solid starting point.
Wyatt said:
Learningseo.io is a solid starting point.
Yup, used that for training newbies before. Great resource.
Start with basics – keyword research, on-page SEO, fixing site issues, and getting backlinks.
Don’t focus too much on tools like Semrush at the start. Watch SEO basics on YouTube first. It’ll all make sense after that.
Google’s SEO guide is solid. Also, don’t buy SEO courses. Most of them repackage free YouTube videos. Learn by doing – mistakes teach you faster.
Moz’s SEO beginner guide is still one of the best resources out there.
HubSpot has a free SEO certification. Pretty helpful.
I’ve got a couple of local SEO courses. DM me if you’re interested.
Start with Google’s SEO Starter Guide. Follow up with stuff from Search Engine Journal and Ahrefs. YouTube has tons of content, too.
If you’re serious, focus on the type of business you run – different approaches for ecommerce vs services. Long tail keywords are easier if you’re just starting.
@Kian
Thanks for this!