What Does an SEO Strategist Do? Everything You Need to Know

An SEO strategist is not just a title; it’s the linchpin of digital success. In a world where search engines dictate online visibility, having a clear SEO strategy is critical. But what does an SEO strategist actually do, and how do they differ from SEO specialists?

This guide dives deep into their role, their impact, and why your business might need one.

What Is an SEO Strategist?

An SEO strategist is responsible for designing, implementing, and managing comprehensive SEO strategies that align with a business’s goals. Unlike an SEO specialist, who typically focuses on execution, an SEO strategist sees the bigger picture, connecting various SEO components to drive sustainable growth.

Think of an SEO strategist as the captain of a ship, navigating through algorithms, search intent, and competition to lead your website to success.

What Does an SEO Strategist Do?

An SEO strategist’s work is multifaceted, involving both strategic planning and tactical execution. Here are their key responsibilities:

1. Crafting SEO Strategies

SEO strategists build tailored plans to improve website visibility. They consider:

• Keyword targeting: Finding the right mix of high-volume and low-competition keywords such as SEO strategist jobs, SEO content strategist, and what does an SEO strategist do.
• Competitor analysis: Analyzing competitors’ strategies to identify gaps and opportunities.

For example, they might notice that a competitor is ranking well for how to become an SEO strategist and ensure your content outshines theirs.

Also read: How Many Meta Keywords Should I Use for SEO?

2. Conducting In-Depth SEO Audits

SEO strategists frequently perform audits to identify technical issues, including:

• Broken links
• Slow loading speeds
• Mobile-friendliness
• Crawlability

Example: An SEO strategist may find that your site has duplicate meta descriptions, which can confuse search engines and harm rankings. By fixing this, they improve your search performance.

3. Developing Content Strategies

Content is the backbone of SEO. An SEO strategist works closely with content creators to:

• Create engaging blog posts, such as how to hire an SEO strategist.
• Ensure keyword integration in meta descriptions, headers, and body text.
• Optimize evergreen content for long-term traffic growth.

4. Managing On-Page and Off-Page SEO

On-page efforts involve optimizing title tags, headers, and URLs, while off-page SEO focuses on building authoritative backlinks.

For instance, an SEO strategist might implement a guest blogging strategy targeting industry-specific sites, earning backlinks that improve your domain authority.

5. Measuring and Refining Strategies

An SEO strategist constantly monitors performance metrics such as:

• Organic traffic
• Keyword rankings
• Click-through rates (CTR)
• Conversion rates

Using tools like Google Analytics and Ahrefs, they tweak strategies to maximize ROI.

SEO Strategist vs. SEO Specialist

While the roles overlap, there are key differences:

SEO Strategist	SEO Specialist
Focuses on overall strategy	Focuses on task execution
Creates long-term plans	Manages day-to-day SEO activities
Works closely with leadership teams	Works closely with SEO tools and data
Example: Designing a keyword roadmap for six months	Example: Optimizing meta tags based on strategist recommendations

Analogy: Think of an SEO strategist as the architect of a house and the SEO specialist as the builder. Both roles are vital, but the strategist ensures the big picture is achieved.

Real-Life Examples of an SEO Strategist’s Impact

1. Startup Growth: A SaaS startup increased organic traffic by 200% in six months with a strategist who identified high-intent keywords like SEO strategist job description.
2. E-commerce Boost: An online retailer improved conversions by 50% after a strategist fixed technical issues and optimized product pages.
3. Enterprise Success: A Fortune 500 company achieved top SERP rankings for enterprise SEO with a strategist who implemented a robust link-building campaign.

The Importance of an SEO Strategist

Why should you hire an SEO strategist?

Here are some stats that highlight their importance:

• 75% of users never scroll past the first page of search results (Forbes).
• Companies that blog regularly generate 67% more leads than those that don’t (HubSpot).
• Businesses with a clear SEO strategy are 2x more likely to rank on the first page of Google.

By hiring an SEO strategist, you gain:

• Improved visibility: Be seen by the right audience.
• Higher ROI: Achieve measurable results from organic traffic.
• Long-term growth: Build a sustainable strategy that evolves with search algorithms.

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FAQs About SEO Strategists

P.S. if you’re working with an SEO company already, this might help you: How to Fire an SEO Company: A Step-by-Step Guide to Part Ways Professionally