Many digital marketing agencies use jargon that even an SEO expert can’t decipher.
Even so, you trust their expertise. And if you’re like most clients, you know you need the services they provide.
But you don’t have to stay in the dark about what those services entail.
Join us today as we delve into the daily schedule of Aaron, the head of our digital team, to see how one SEO expert and digital manager spends his days.
1. Not so surprisingly, it starts with SEO.
The majority of Aaron’s time is spent on search engine optimization (SEO). In fact, he always starts his day by logging into Google Analytics and Google Search Console to review the progress of our SEO clients.
This is important because it allows him to get a bird’s-eye view of where our clients are showing up in search results, as well as any possible changes that could be made to improve a client’s visibility online.
Additionally, looking at these analytics provides insight into how people are finding a website. Coupled with extensive testing and analysis, this allows an SEO expert like Aaron to pinpoint new and relevant keywords that can be incorporated into a client’s website.
Another part of SEO management includes research. On average, Aaron spends a few hours each week learning about changes in how search engines are operating, and new and emerging technologies, as well as investigating what our clients’ competitors are doing.
Depending on the day, Aaron may also spend time on listings management, which ensures websites like Yelp or Houzz have accurate information about our clients, along with up-to-date photos.
2. SEO experts may also handle web development projects.
The amount of time Aaron spends on website design, development and modification falls secondary to his SEO tasks, although it can increase when a site is being launched or if a client requests changes to a current site.
On a typical day, though, Aaron approaches websites mostly from a maintenance perspective. This means checking to make sure websites are running smoothly, plugins are updated, redirects are working as expected, etc.
It’s also not unusual for him to also spend time on high-priority tasks for clients such as:
- Improving the load speed of a website.
- Troubleshooting any loading errors.
- Setting up and maintaining databases.
Additionally, if a new website is being launched, Aaron oversees the final steps of the process, which can include:
- DNS edits.
- Testing the website on multiple devices.
- Setting up Google Analytics and Google Search Console.
- Making multiple website backups.
- Developing in-depth training materials for the client, since we use CMS sites.
While SEO is the heart and soul of most digital managers, Aaron does enjoy working on web development projects. In fact, he spent part of last week on a large programming and database project for a client that required heavy development.
3. Search Engine Marketing (SEM) plays a part in the overall digital strategy.
Part of a healthy digital strategy includes SEM campaigns, which is why Aaron spends time each day monitoring the performance of ads being run for Fresh clients.
Besides ensuring all campaigns are running smoothly, daily check-ins also can reveal increases in ad prices based on more competition, show emerging search trends, or reveal new targeting options that can be capitalized on for better results.
With new SEM campaigns, most of Aaron’s time is spent setting up the targeting for ads. This targeting can be geographically-based, website-based or keyword-based. For display campaigns, he also works with the creative team to ensure each ad is optimized for where it will be placed.
4. Project management is important.
As the head of our digital team, Aaron spends a portion of each day on project management. He creates new jobs for team members within our project management platform, schedules meetings to discuss active clients, and develops numerous weekly training sessions to discuss current strategies.
Another facet of his project management includes the development of monthly reports for clients. These reports show how client websites are performing in regards to sessions, users, pageviews and leads.
Additionally, Aaron meets regularly with each client’s account manager to discuss websites, as well as to answer any questions or concerns.
5. SEO experts are frequently account managers, too.
Aaron serves as an account manager at Fresh, too, which means part of his daily tasks include managing communication with and providing support to clients.
As the head of our digital department, Aaron also frequently serves as the first point of contact for prospective clients who have questions about our website, SEO and SEM services.
Aaron also spends time each week talking to current clients on the phone, and he is a fixture in meetings with our digital marketing and website clients.
All in a Day’s Work for an SEO Expert
Do you know how your digital marketing agency is spending its time?
While many agencies promise results, few are willing to share transparently about how they’re spending their time, or how that time directly improves your website’s search visibility.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions and seek answers from any agency or SEO expert you’re working with.
After all, you don’t speak jargon. And your digital agency shouldn’t expect you to.