Is Learning SEO Worth It?

Written by Lawrence Hitches

10 min read
Posted 19 January 2023

Search engine optimization (SEO) is an essential part of digital marketing. It can be difficult to keep up with what works best for your website or business with ever-changing algorithms and strategies. That’s why many people are asking:

Is learning SEO worth it?

In This Article

The answer is yes, SEO is definitely worth learning.

I’ve been down the rabbit hole for years and am still finding more to dig through. But if done correctly, learning search engine optimization techniques can pay off big time in terms of increased traffic, leads, revenue, and conversions from organic searches to sell more of your product.

From personal experience, learning SEO from 2015 onwards has served to build my career and skills, where I’m happy, healthy, and can get a website ranking!

In this blog post we’ll explore whether investing in SEO knowledge is really worthwhile by looking at what skills are needed for success as well as ways to learn about SEO quickly and effectively.

How to Learn SEO?

SEO can be hard to understand for people who don’t know much about it. However, it is an important skill to have in today’s digital world and can help businesses succeed online. There are several resources available both online and offline that can help anyone learn SEO quickly and effectively.

Online Resources for Learning SEO:

The internet is full of free information about SEO, including blogs, articles, forums, ebooks, podcasts, webinars, and more. These resources provide valuable insight into how search engines work as well as best practices for optimizing websites for higher rankings on search engine results pages (SERPs).

Additionally, there are many paid courses available for learning SEO:

Offline Resources for Learning SEO:

While most of the learning materials related to SEO are found online these days; there still exist some traditional methods like attending conferences or workshops conducted by industry experts where you can gain hands-on experience working with real-world projects related to Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Additionally, books written by experienced professionals in this field can also be helpful when trying to understand different concepts related to this topic:

  • Product-Led SEO: The Why Behind Building Your Organic Growth Strategy by Eli Schwartz
  • The Art of SEO: Mastering Search Engine Optimization eBook by  Jessie Stricchiola, Stephan Spencer, Eric Enge
Key Takeaway: Learning SEO is worth it as there are numerous resources available both online and offline, such as blogs, articles, forums, ebooks, podcasts, webinars, conferences, workshops, and books.

How long will it take to learn SEO?

It’s possible to become an SEO specialist in just a few short months. With dedicated effort and dedication, you can learn the basics of SEO within three months. Beyond that, more advanced concepts may take between 6-18 months to really master. To stay ahead of the game, it pays to keep up with the latest trends and techniques – ongoing education is essential for any budding SEO professional.

In our agency we start people at a Junior SEO Specialist level which takes about 3 -6 months to learn the basics.

Within a year they’re able to work on SEO projects, and within two more complex SEO campaigns for larger websites.

Beyond that it’s a continual learning experience when dealing with various SEO issues, and developing new strategies to deliver results.

Why Learn SEO?

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is an invaluable skill to have in today’s digital world. Understanding the fundamentals of SEO helps you create content that is better suited for search engine algorithms, giving your website a higher chance of ranking on the first page of search engine results pages (SERPs).

Microsoft’s decision to list SEO as the most important hard skill for marketers highlights just how crucial it is for businesses. The tech giant’s decision is based on the understanding that SEO is a long-term investment, rather than a one-time fix. SEO takes time, effort and dedication to produce results, but the rewards are well worth it in the long run.

Moreover, SEO is constantly changing, which means that marketers must stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in order to stay ahead of the competition. This requires ongoing learning and skill development, making it an essential hard skill for marketers to master.

What Skills are Needed to be Successful in SEO?

Problem-solving is also important, as it helps to identify areas of improvement and how to address them.

Crafting a successful SEO strategy demands a blend of technical know-how, data analysis acuity, creative flair and problem solving proficiency. HTML, CSS and JavaScript are just some of the foundational technologies that must be understood in order to make informed decisions about search engine algorithms. Keyword research, competition evaluation and user behavior comprehension are all analytical processes necessary for success. But it’s not enough to simply crunch numbers – creating compelling content requires copywriting skills alongside graphic design capabilities that can help draw attention from users. Finally, problem solving aptitude is imperative; pinpointing issues while formulating solutions will strengthen SEO strategies overall.

Websites have problems, and it’s your job to solve them.

Technical acumen is essential to maximize the potential of a website and ensure high ranking positions within search engine results. This encompasses comprehending the composition of code (HTML/CSS) used on websites in order to perform any necessary alterations, being familiar with web hosting services, having expertise in different types of web platforms (WordPress/Joomla), understanding analytics tools like Google Analytics, utilizing programs such as Adobe Photoshop and grasping other programming languages including JavaScript & AJAX which could be demanded depending on the task at hand.

Successful SEO professionals require more than technical knowledge alone – they must also possess a keen eye for analyzing data and trends. With the help of competitor analysis reports and keyword research tools, these experts can make decisions about content creation and optimization that are based on current trends in the industry sector. Also, they need to think ahead to figure out which types of content will reach their target audience(s) the most effectively. By doing this, these professionals are able to make campaigns that not only bring in more traffic but also maximize conversions for both short-term and long-term goals.

Communication skills are key in explaining fundamental SEO concepts to your client and how their brand is benefiting or missing out on opportunities from SEO. It’s easy to show the direct link from a social media post to sales, but a journey from page 100 to page 1 is a different story you have to tell them. Down to how their budget is impacted by SEO, and the leadership’s willingness to take ownership of campaigns when they go south.

Key Takeaway: Successful SEO requires a combination of technical, analytical and creative skills. Technical knowledge is needed to understand the underlying technology behind search engine algorithms, while analytical skills are necessary to interpret data and make informed decisions about content creation or optimization efforts. Creative abilities are essential for creating engaging content that will attract users’ attention.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SEO worth learning in 2023?

Yes, with digital marketing becoming increasingly competitive, learning SEO in 2023 is a wise move for anyone looking to stay ahead of the curve. It’s a field that’s always changing, but those who put in the time and effort to understand it can get a lot out of it. By learning how to use search engine optimization techniques, you’ll be in a good position to get ahead of your competitors and make sure your website ranks well on the most popular search engines. So yes, SEO is definitely worth investing in this year!

Are SEO courses worth it?

Yes, SEO courses can be worth it. With the ever-changing nature of search engine optimization, staying up to date on the latest techniques is critical for success. Taking a course can help you learn these things and keep your website competitive. An SEO course can teach you a lot about how to make a website work as well as possible. For example, you can learn about keyword research and how to build links.

There’s been a lack of great SEO education in the industry this why we built Hawk Academy, as a teacher on this course I’ve been excited to share to students my experiences with SEO, this platform was made for anyone interested in SEO from business owners, digital marketing students, or even senior people looking at SEO as a hobby. We can be your guide to SEO success through our tutorials on keyword research, content planning, technical SEO, it’s like a personal certification for SEO!

Is SEO worth it in 2023?

2023 is a great time to consider investing in SEO. With technology constantly evolving, search engine algorithms are becoming more advanced and complex. Investing in SEO now can help your site stay ahead of the competition by being well-indexed and optimized for SERP ranking. By optimizing content with relevant keywords, you increase visibility among target audiences and drive organic traffic to your website. The long-term benefits of SEO make it worth considering as an integral part of any marketing strategy today.

Conclusion

In conclusion, learning SEO can be a great way to gain valuable skills that will help you in your career. It requires dedication and hard work, but the rewards are worth it. If you’re willing to put in the effort, learning SEO can be a great investment of time and money – so ask yourself:

Is learning SEO worth it?

Yes, if you’re looking to get ahead in the digital marketing world, then learning SEO is an absolute must.

At StudioHawk, our experienced team of professionals can help take your website’s search engine rankings to new heights with our comprehensive SEO consulting services.

Written by Lawrence Hitches

Posted 19 January 2023

Lawrence an SEO professional and the General Manager of Australia’s Largest SEO Agency – StudioHawk; he’s been working in search for eight years, having started working with Bing Search to improve their algorithm. Then, jumping over to working on small, medium, and enterprise businesses with SEO tactics to reach more customers on search engines such as Google, he’s won the Young Search Professional of the Year from the Semrush Awards and Best Large SEO Agency at the Global Search Awards.

He’s now focused on educating those who want to learn about SEO with the techniques and tips he’s learned from experience and continuing to learn new tactics as search evolves.