Demystifying the Role: What is a Technical SEO Consultant?

How much do technical SEO specialists make?

The earnings of technical SEO specialists in the UK can vary widely based on experience, expertise, location, and the size of the projects they handle. On average, a junior technical SEO consultant may earn around £20,000 to £30,000 per year, while mid-level consultants can earn £30,000 to £50,000. Highly experienced technical SEO specialists, especially those working with large clients or agencies, can command salaries exceeding £50,000 to £100,000 or more annually. Additionally, freelance consultants may earn on a project basis, with rates ranging from £30 to £150 per hour, depending on their skill set and reputation.

What is technical SEO and how to do it?

Technical SEO is a branch of search engine optimization (SEO) that focuses on optimizing the technical aspects of a website to improve its search engine rankings and user experience. To perform technical SEO effectively, consider the following steps:

Technical SEO is an ongoing process that requires attention to detail, continuous learning, and adaptation to algorithm changes. Hiring a skilled technical SEO consultant in the UK can greatly assist in implementing these strategies effectively and staying ahead in the competitive online landscape. Costs for technical SEO services can vary, typically ranging from £500 to £2,500 per month, depending on the complexity of the project and the consultant's expertise.

Website Audit: Begin by conducting a comprehensive audit of your website to identify technical issues, such as broken links, slow loading times, and mobile-friendliness.

Keyword Research: Research relevant keywords for your industry and incorporate them strategically into your website's content, meta tags, and headings.

Website Structure: Ensure a clear and logical website structure with a hierarchy of pages and an XML sitemap to help search engines index your site.

Mobile Optimization: Make your website mobile-responsive to accommodate users on various devices, improving both user experience and search rankings.

Page Speed: Optimize page loading speed by compressing images, using browser caching, and minimizing HTTP requests. Fast-loading pages are favoured by search engines.

Secure Connection (HTTPS): Switch to HTTPS to encrypt data transmission, which not only enhances security but is also a ranking factor.

Technical Markup: Implement structured data (schema markup) to provide search engines with information about your content, leading to enhanced search results, like rich snippets.

Fixing Duplicate Content: Resolve duplicate content issues to prevent cannibalization and ensure that search engines understand which page to rank.

URL Structure: Create clean and descriptive URLs that include keywords, making it easier for search engines to understand your content.

Canonicalization: Set canonical tags to specify the preferred version of a page when there are multiple URLs with similar content.

Robots.txt: Use a robots.txt file to instruct search engines on which pages to crawl and which to exclude.

XML Sitemaps: Submit XML sitemaps to search engines to help them discover and index your pages efficiently.

Internal Linking: Create a well-structured internal linking system to guide users and search engines through your content.

Monitor Performance: Continuously monitor your website's performance using tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console. Adjust your strategies based on data insights.

User Experience: Prioritize user experience by improving site navigation, ensuring clear call-to-actions, and enhancing overall usability.

What is technical SEO writing?

Technical SEO writing involves creating content that is not only informative and engaging but also optimized for search engines. It focuses on integrating relevant keywords, structuring content effectively, and following SEO best practices to improve a website's search engine rankings and visibility. This skill is crucial for a technical SEO consultant in the UK, as it ensures that the content aligns with SEO goals and drives organic traffic. The cost for technical SEO writing services can vary, ranging from £20 to £100 per hour, depending on the writer's expertise and the complexity of the project.

What is the difference between technical SEO and on-page SEO?

Technical SEO and on-page SEO are two distinct but interrelated components of search engine optimization, each focusing on different aspects of website optimization.

Technical SEO: This primarily deals with the behind-the-scenes elements of a website. A technical SEO consultant works on aspects like website structure, page speed, mobile-friendliness, security (HTTPS), XML sitemaps, structured data (schema markup), and ensuring search engines can efficiently crawl and index the site. Technical SEO ensures that the website is technically sound and search engine-friendly. The cost of technical SEO services in the UK can range from £500 to £2,500 per month, depending on the complexity of the project and the consultant's expertise.

On-Page SEO: On-page SEO is focused on optimizing individual web pages to improve their visibility in search results. This involves optimizing content, meta tags (title and description), headings, images, and internal linking. On-page SEO ensures that each page provides valuable and relevant content to both users and search engines. Costs for on-page SEO services in the UK typically range from £50 to £150 per hour, depending on the scope and complexity of the work.

In summary, technical SEO concentrates on the technical aspects of a website, while on-page SEO is about optimizing individual pages for better search engine rankings. Both are essential components of a comprehensive SEO strategy and often complement each other to enhance a website's overall performance in search results.

Is SEO related to marketing or tech?

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is closely related to both marketing and technology. It's a multidisciplinary field that bridges the gap between these two domains. A skilled web optimization practitioner, such as a technical SEO consultant in the UK, operates at this intersection.

Marketing: SEO is fundamentally about improving a website's visibility in search engines to attract organic traffic. It involves keyword research, content optimization, and link building, all of which are rooted in marketing principles. Skilled SEO professionals often collaborate with marketing teams to align their strategies with overall business goals. The cost of SEO services in the UK varies, with monthly retainers typically ranging from £500 to £2,500 or more.

Technology: On the technical side, SEO practitioners work on website infrastructure, page speed optimization, mobile responsiveness, structured data implementation, and other technical aspects. They ensure that a website is search engine-friendly and technically sound. This technical expertise is crucial for a successful SEO strategy.

In essence, SEO is a holistic approach that requires a blend of marketing acumen and technical know-how. It's not solely a function of marketing or technology but a synergy between the two, making it a pivotal component in today's digital landscape.

What goes into technical SEO?

Technical SEO encompasses various aspects aimed at enhancing a website's search engine performance. A skilled web optimization practitioner, such as a technical SEO consultant in the UK, focuses on:

Technical SEO is an ongoing process that ensures a website is technically sound, user-friendly, and optimized for search engines. The cost of technical SEO services in the UK typically ranges from £500 to £2,500 or more per month, depending on the complexity of the project and the consultant's expertise.

Website Structure: Ensuring a logical and well-organized site structure with clear navigation.

Page Speed Optimization: Enhancing website loading times for a better user experience.

Mobile Optimization: Making the site responsive and mobile-friendly.

Secure Connection (HTTPS): Implementing SSL certificates for data security and SEO benefits.

Structured Data (Schema Markup): Adding structured data to provide context to search engines.

XML Sitemaps: Creating and submitting sitemaps to assist search engines in indexing content.

Canonicalization: Setting canonical tags to define the preferred version of pages with similar content.

Robots.txt: Using a robots.txt file to instruct search engines on crawling preferences.

Internal Linking: Creating a logical internal linking structure for user navigation and SEO.

Audit and Remediation: Regularly auditing the site for issues and promptly addressing them.

Optimizing Images and Media: Compressing images and optimizing media files for faster loading.

Minimizing Technical Errors: Identifying and rectifying technical errors such as 404 pages.

User Experience (UX): Enhancing overall UX for visitors.

Structured URLs: Creating clean, descriptive URLs that are SEO-friendly.

Monitoring and Reporting: Continuously monitoring site performance and providing reports on SEO metrics.

Is SEO a form of technical writing?

No, SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is not a form of technical writing. While SEO involves optimizing web content for search engines, it encompasses a broader range of strategies beyond writing. A skilled web optimization practitioner, such as a technical SEO consultant in the UK, employs various techniques, including keyword research, content optimization, technical enhancements, and link building, to improve a website's search engine rankings. Technical writing, on the other hand, focuses primarily on producing clear and concise documentation or content for technical purposes, often in fields like technology, science, or engineering.